The Philanthropy Proposal Writer will provide high quality creative and editorial support to the University’s fundraising and alumni activities.
Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement, the incumbent will be responsible for developing marketing campaigns, creative strategy for major projects, video concepts and scripts, major gift proposals, cases for support, backgrounders, campaign collateral, speeches, presentations and other strategic communications targeted to alumni and prospective donors. Additionally, the Philanthropy Proposal Writer may be asked to write letters for the President of the University at the direction of the Senior Vice President. Other work may include high-level proposals for prospects assigned to the SVP, executive-level correspondence and special projects on behalf of the senior management of the University.
Working closely with the President and advancement colleagues in our departments, faculties and divisions, the Philanthropy Proposal Writer will craft coherent, credible and motivating content that advances the University’s highest priorities. Developing these texts will involve extensive consultations with academic, development and volunteer stakeholders, highly original content research, drafting of creative outlines, as well as writing and design coordination. The Philanthropy Proposal Writer will lead this process from inception to final delivery on multiple projects, often with competing deadlines.
Details:
- Writes compelling, motivational copy for all campaign related materials, with an emphasis on the solicitation of a wide variety of audiences, ensuring that key messages are consistent while the tone and style are distinctively crafted to resonate with specific demographics, such as high-level donors, prospects, constituents, young alumni, parents, faculty/staff, loyal donors, etc.
- Develops evocative copy for a variety of interactive editorial projects including homepages, emails and other online marketing.
- Assists with other writing projects, including marketing collateral, invitations and publications, as needed.
- Also serves as the primary writing resource for a variety of written correspondence needs for the Executive Leadership regarding key University programs and projects led by the Advancement team.
- Reviews and proofreads materials through final signoff, ensuring the quality and accuracy of copy.
- Writes in a clear, compelling, coherent manner, and produces consistent quality work.
- Works with key member of the Institutional Advancement team, assisting in ensuring that all communications have consistent messages, suitable tone and appropriate content and proper grammar and punctuation.
- Collaborates with designers to ensure that the copy works within the design of the final communication, editing as needed to ensure that the final product is visually successful.
Skills:
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Mac or PC-based) is required. Broad familiarity with web-based research tools for content development is also essential.
- Design capability and familiarity with design software are not required, but are definite assets.
- Demonstrated superior oral and written communications skills; must possess full command of the language and of appropriate prose style.
- Excellent editing, interviewing, and oral presentation skills. Superior writing skill is an essential requirement.
- The successful candidate will have demonstrated, through a portfolio of samples, professional-level writing ability with respect to style, organization and structure, rhetoric, appropriateness to subject, and breadth of subject matter.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree (communications, journalism, English, etc); or an equivalent combination of experience in communications. Degree(s) must be from a regionally accredited college/university.
- Minimum of six to seven years related experience in researching, planning, composing/writing and editing; possessing talent, creative flair, versatility and originality (demonstrable with a strong portfolio). Talent for writing and editing to suit integrated marketing campaigns, multiple styles, tones and audiences.
- Experience with highly conceptual creative work and strategic planning.
- Experience with video production, particularly concept development, scripting and storyboarding.
- Experience with proposal and case development, and campaign communications an asset. An understanding of academic community or higher education an asset.
- Experience writing about topics in one or more of the following areas: science and technology; medical science and health care; humanities and social sciences an asset.
