Dave Hunt

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  • Home
  • Design Portfolio
  • Writing samples
  • Resumé
  • Contact

Professional Profile

Creative and accomplished communications professional with more than seven years of experience in higher education and seven years of experience in nonprofit communications. Forward-thinking communications strategist with strong skills across all communication channels, including new and emerging media.

Core Strengths

• publications
• print design
• web design
• copywriting
• communications plans
• print production
• creative direction
• social media strategy
• writing and editing
• web strategy
• email marketing
• public speaking
• branding
• project management
• audio/video editing

Work History

Graphic Design Manager / Marketing and PR Strategist | Wake Forest University
2016-present
Serve as the art director and lead designer responsible for creating eye-catching, engaging, and effective print and digital marketing materials for the School of Business. Job responsibilities include:
  • Consult with academic centers to assist them with producing materials consistent with WFUSB branding, messaging and strategic objectives.
  • Update print and digital advertising, key program collateral and School of Business website visual language to adhere to existing brand standards while providing a fresh, more luxury-branded feel.
  • Conceive of, develop and implement both digital and printed marketing and communications materials targeted to WFUSB alumni that drive deeper alumni engagement.
  • Conceive of, develop and implement both digital and printed recruitment materials designed to attract top candidates to the School's undergraduate and graduate programs.
  • Serve as editor, project manager, creative director and designer of the School of Business's annual 80-page magazine. Coordinate freelance writers and copy editors; work with print vendors; propose content to senior leadership; edit/re-write submitted articles; and propose and execute designs.
  • Produce content for the School's social media, including copy, graphics and other imagery.
  • Write, edit and design both digital and printed internal communications materials.
  • Communicate effectively and work collaboratively to create materials that meet or exceed expectations.
  • Ensure all designed materials follow WFUSB branding. Identify and pursue potential branding refinement/rebranding opportunities
  • Ensure materials and other communications solutions are best-in-class examples of graphic design while being budget-conscious and fiscally responsible.
  • Provide strategic advice and counsel to senior-level executives on communications issues.

Director of Communications for Alumni Relations | Virginia Tech
2010-2015
Senior staff member within Virginia Tech’s Office of Alumni Relations responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy designed to showcase the university’s alumni, alumni programs, initiatives
and achievements. Responsibilities include:

  • Develop and execute multichannel marketing communications plans for Alumni Association events and milestones, including developing strategies for media relations, print, web, social media and email marketing.
  • Represent the Alumni Association on strategic communications planning for the university.
  • Supervise a communications team, including a communications specialist, a print manager, two student interns and a technology support specialist.
  • Advise the Vice President for Alumni Relations, association staff and university colleagues on communications strategy.
  • Assist alumni representatives for colleges and constituency groups with refining their marketing goals, and identify tactics and strategies to meet those goals.
  • Provide oversight and content strategy for the Alumni Association’s social media accounts. Monitor social media and respond to inquiries. Develop social media tactics designed to increase engagement with alumni.
  • Manage the Alumni Association’s website. Review traffic patterns and search results to improve its effectiveness.
  • Serve as the art director and lead designer for the Alumni Association, ensuring that all materials align with the association’s and the university’s brand guidelines.
  • Serve as the editor of the alumni section of the Virginia Tech Magazine. Draft articles, edit submitted content, source photography and collaborate with University Relations staff.
  • Oversee email marketing communications to alumni, including message creation, proofing submitted content and distribution. Track metrics to gauge effectiveness of email marketing.
  • Teach a recurring branding class on email marketing for communicators across campus. Serve as a key point person for email marketing on campus.
  • Write, edit and submit press releases for Alumni Association events, initiatives and achievements.
  • Establish goals and processes for departmental management of projects with an eye toward ensuring effectiveness while providing exceptional customer service to clients within the association.
  • Work with senior leadership to revamp the Virginia Tech Alumni Association’s visual identity, including refining the association’s logo and creating a consistent design and messaging style across all marketing materials.

Graphic Designer | Lawrence University
2008-2010
Graphic designer responsible for creating eye-catching, engaging, and effective print and digital marketing materials in the university’s central communications office. Job responsibilities included:

  • Serve as the lead designer for theater and arts marketing materials.
  • Design a wide variety of print materials, including posters, brochures, postcards and logos.
  • Provide direction to student workers.
  • Assume the duties of the art director in her absence.
  • Communicate effectively and work collaboratively to create final pieces that meet or exceed expectations.
  • Develop a visual identity and supplementary materials for the Lawrence University Athletics Department.

IT Administrator and Communications Specialist | MN Municipal Utilities Association
2001-2008
Flexible staff member responsible for an array of duties across communications and technology. Job responsibilities included:
​
  • Design print and electronic materials including brochures, electronic newsletters, flyers and presentations.
  • Manage the association’s website.
  • Edit and write content for marketing materials and newsletters.
  • Edit audio and video files for use in presentations.
  • Provide technical training to staff with diverse skill sets and managing an annual information technology budget.
  • ​Develop the visual representation of the association’s brand and create a uniform look for the association’s print and electronic materials.
  • Implement a podcasting program to deliver conference content to attendees across the state.
  • ​Create a custom database that saved the association an estimated $40,000 in software costs.

Presentations

  • Email and Print Communications for Chapters, 2011 Webinar
  • Your College’s Branding and Alumni Email Marketing, 2012 Virginia Tech Communications Summit
  • Email and Print Communications for Chapters, 2012 Virginia Tech Chapter Officers Forum
  • Communicating with Alumni, 2013 Virginia Tech Chapter Officers Forum
  • Start to Finish: Lighting, Shooting, and Processing Portraits, 2013 Virginia Tech Alumni Photography Weekend
  • Telling our Story: Communications Best Practices, 2014 Virginia Tech Chapter Officers Forum
  • Branding 202: Designing for Electronic Communications, 2012-2014 Virginia Tech Brand Ambassador Program

Activities

  • 2011 – 2012, member, Email Marketing RFP
  • 2013 – 2015, member, University CMS Committee
  • 2013 – 2014, graduate, Virginia Tech Management Academy

Software / Technical Expertise

  • Advanced experience with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Lightroom)
  • Advanced experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
  • Intermediate to advanced knowledge of web-based content management systems, email marketing platforms, project management software and social media management tools.
  • Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS.

Education

Bachelor’s degree, liberal studies, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Copyright Dave Hunt 2020