Development Writer
Opening Information
Post Date:02-08-2017
Department:University Advancement
Deadline:
Salary Range:Negotiable
Description
Advancement Marketing & Communications, a unit within University Advancement, is seeking a collaborative, discreet, and diligent professional to research, write and edit content and material that support University Advancement’s mission through fundraising strategies such as: donor cultivation, solicitation and recognition.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:
Directly reporting to the Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, and with the support of the Director of Marketing and Communications, the Development Writer will:
Writes & Edits (60%)
Produces letters of intent, proposals and other fundraising documents for hard-copy or electronic submission as required by prospective donor, or private funding organization/foundation.
Reviews, edits, and writes broad-spectrum of fundraising tools that can be customized for individual circumstances.
Interviews faculty regarding their funded work and write feature articles for university publications to inform other donors and university community of significant private gifts, university initiatives that seek funding, and outcomes resulting from private support.
Drafts, edits and fact-checks talking points, speeches, briefing papers, correspondence and other materials as requested to support university leadership in their advancement activities.
Researches and writes donor biographies for endowment agreements, gift recognitions, award recognitions, and other purposes
Writes copy for plaques and tributes to honor benefactors.
Shapes editorial assets for a variety of media platforms.
Research & Coordination (30%)
With development directors identifies pertinent topics, interviews sources and collects information to compose proposals, reports, talking points, discussion papers, graphics, and photography.
Research and analyze donor priorities, corresponding university priorities and strengths, and donor/university history and relationship.
Research and compare fundraising standards among peer institutions (e.g. standards for naming a physical facility or a faculty position) and shares with other members of the Marketing and Communication team.
Publication Production (10%)
Prepares proposals for production.
Reviews and or edits manuscripts, news articles and other content containing sensitive information.
Proofreads and edit materials by peers in the department.
Qualifications
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year degree program in journalism, English, communications, public relations, business, liberal arts or related field; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in donor communications, and editing, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; must have a valid driver’s license.
Desired Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree; 3 years of grant writing experience in higher education or readily transferable skills and a proven track record of working in a complex environment; 3 years of writing/editing high-quality publications with significant visibility; experiences with word processing, database, spreadsheet, and presentation software; working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite software; excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizational skills and intellectual curiosity; collaborative team-oriented style. Ability to work with a variety of personality types; experience with all levels of fundraising communications – annual giving through principal giving; ability to meet tight deadlines; excellent interpersonal skills; experience with Adobe Creative Suite.
How to apply
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Heather Worland, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, University Advancement at chenheat@msu.edu.
All candidates must submit an application and resume through the Michigan State University Human Resources web-based system (MAP). The URL for this website is www.jobs.MSU.edu. Please indicate the position number 4889 when submitting your application.
MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.
MSU is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The university actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities.