Development Writer

The University of Maryland’s Office of Principal Gifts seeks an experienced, innovative and strategic Development Writer to support the university’s robust principal gifts fundraising efforts. Principal Gifts to universities are transformative and create new projects and programs. Strategies, proposals and other written materials would have high visibility and be highly individualized.  In addition to writing proposals, pitch documents, and donor communications the writer would be responsible for specific engagement outreach briefings for the President and Vice President of University Relations.  This person should demonstrate the ability to work in a collaborative environment, supporting development and other areas of University Relations to create materials for presentations for principal gift donors and prospects in identification, cultivation and solicitation strategies. They will have the ability to manage a variety of principal gift projects across all campus units that seek to raise the philanthropic support of the university. They will develop and manage the process for projects in support of these units. The incumbent should have a general knowledge of fundraising principles.

The Development Writer will work in collaboration with all development units to create proposals, pitch documents, impact statements, presentations, content, brochures, articles, giving stories and more. They must possess journalistic writing skills, including knowledge of interview techniques and the ability to research and write compelling cases for support to be delivered to principal gift donors and prospects. The ideal candidate will be flexible and deadline-driven, with the ability to write donor-facing materials while then working with a designer to bring materials to life. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage, from concept to completion, written materials needed for communication with principal gift donors and prospects.  
• Work with designers, other writers in Strategic Communications and the Office of Donor Relations and Stewardship to design and produce principal donor communications pieces.
• Conduct research and interview staff to compose compelling copy for individual proposals and other fundraising documents.
• Craft principal gift donor and prospect outreach communications for the President, Vice President of University Relations and other leadership. 
• Devise correspondence and talking points for use by the VPUR with donor and high-level volunteer audiences.

Candidates must provide three writing samples that demonstrate their previous relevant writing experience. Examples can include (but are not limited to): proposals, case statements, formal correspondence, fundraising emails, etc.

  Education (include licenses, certifications, etc.):
Bachelor’s Degree required.
 
Experience:
A minimum of five years of experience in communications or related field.
 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Strong knowledge of development.
• Excellent writing and organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate.
• Ability to juggle multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Ability to be creative and work independently.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Ability to quickly produce clear and concise documents for internal and external publication.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Google Suite
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite preferred but not mandatory