Inside Higher Ed ยท 2 days ago
Development Writer
Lexington, VA
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
$61K/yr - $61K/yr
2+ years expInside Higher Ed is seeking a Development Writer to enhance donor relations at Washington and Lee University. The role involves creating impactful communications to strengthen donor relationships and support fundraising efforts, ensuring personalized and timely interactions that reflect the university's values.
Digital MediaEducationHigher EducationJournalismRecruiting
Responsibilities
Researches, writes, and edits a variety of stewardship and campaign communications, including donor reports, endowment updates, leadership acknowledgements, digital content, and case materials
Learns and maintains a deep working knowledge of W&L and its mission, values, strategic goals, programs, and donors
Ensures all written communications reflect institutional priorities, align with university voice, and convey gratitude and impact clearly and authentically
Partners with Development staff to create stewardship materials that enhance donor satisfaction and support cultivation and solicitation efforts
Leads or contributes to the creation of high-impact donor reports that highlight the outcomes of philanthropy through data, storytelling, and visual presentation
Assists the Associate Director and Donor Relations team with the annual endowment reporting process, ensuring reports are accurate, personalized, and delivered on schedule
Coordinates with colleagues to manage stewardship activity for assigned endowment reports
Collaborates with campus partners to identify and develop compelling stories of donor impact for use in print and digital stewardship materials
Supports the Senior Development Writer in producing leadership acknowledgements, ensuring timely, polished, and personalized correspondence
Drafts and edits letters, emails, and recognition messages from university leadership to donors, volunteers, and friends of the university
Manages multiple writing and stewardship projects simultaneously, maintaining attention to detail, organization, and adherence to deadlines
Collaborates with colleagues in University Development, Communications, and across campus to maintain accuracy, consistency, and alignment in messaging and design
Contributes to ongoing improvement of stewardship systems, templates, and workflows to increase efficiency and scalability
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree required
Two or more years of experience in donor relations, advancement, communications, or a related field
Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with an ability to adapt tone and style for different audiences
Demonstrated organizational and project management abilities with strong attention to detail
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills with a professional, proactive, and solution-oriented approach
Preferred
Experience in higher education advancement, particularly in donor relations or campaign communications is desirable
Familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) systems and donor databases (e.g., Slate, Raiser's Edge) is preferred
Knowledge of data visualization, reporting, or storytelling in a donor engagement context is advantageous
Company
Inside Higher Ed
Inside Higher Ed is the online source for news, opinion, and jobs related to higher education.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
unknown2022-01-10Acquired
2006-08-31Series Unknown
Leadership Team
Stephanie Shweiki
Director, Foundation Partnerships
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