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Advancement Writer (15801)



Get to Know American University

At American University we value open and honest inquiry, servant leadership, and the affirmation of the human dignity of all. We envision a thriving AU community where individuals of all identities and experiences are understood, appreciated, and fully included, and where equitable treatment, opportunities, and outcomes prevail.

Our diverse community of students, faculty, and staff represent every state and more than 150 countries. Our internationally recognized faculty are today's thought leaders in the areas of public policy, law, the arts, communications, international development, and more. Our staff are innovative, service-oriented, and dedicated to moving the university towards achieving its strategic goals. We are committed to an excellent experience for all of our students, faculty and staff and share a passion for creating change through our knowledge and our work.

Learn more about American University by clicking here .

Summary/Objective

In support of Change Can’t Wait: The Campaign for American University, the Development and Alumni Relations department has built a sophisticated Advancement program and the Office of Campaign Engagement plays a key role in the department's activities. Campaign Engagement leads and executes a broad range of fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship activities throughout the donor life cycle. The unit develops strategies to recognize and increase engagement and philanthropic support for American University and to build and nurture the university's relationship with its alumni, donors, and prospects.

This position is a member of the Advancement Communications creative team within the Office of Campaign Engagement and reports to the Senior Director of Advancement Communications and Campaign Operations.

This position is responsible for creating advancement communications content for the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Individual and collaborative writing projects may include stewardship communications, fundraising marketing collateral, solicitations, proposals, news and magazine stories, video scripts, event messaging, and web and social content.

Essential Functions
  1. Writing and Content Production: Create compelling, creative content for print and digital distribution to advance the Change Can’t Wait campaign priorities and initiatives. In partnership with Office of Development and Alumni relations colleagues, draft and edit solicitations, stewardship communications, fundraising marketing collateral, news and magazine stories, video scripts, event messaging, and web and social content. Conceptualize and draft new communications to deepen constituents’ relationships with the university. Produce content for the campaign communication vehicles highlighting university priorities, illustrating impact of both annual and major gifts, and sharing university messaging.
  2. Communication Services: Create new ideas for advancement communications pieces rooted in best practices; collaborate with colleagues, including the other Advancement Writer, Graphic Designer, and Assistant Director of Advancement Communications, to implement new ideas. In addition, the Advancement Writer may collaborate with the other Advancement Writer to support development officers and division leadership on proposals, case statements, donor correspondence, and boilerplate language. The Advancement Writer will work collaboratively with Advancement Communication colleagues on projects and may also edit or proofread written materials from colleagues across Development and Alumni Relations.
  3. Collaboration with Teams:Working closely with the Advancement Communications team, ensure integrated marketing and messaging across all channels. Establishes quality assurance procedures and processes, and recommends way to enhance existing processes and make them more efficient. Builds relationships around the university (e.g. University Communications and Marketing, individual school communications teams, and Admissions Office) to continuously build the cache of leads and content for the Development and Alumni Relations channels.
  4. Other Duties as Assigned: Other duties and administrative tasks as assigned by the Director of Advancement Communications which may include managing student workers, scheduling rooms, and organizing internal meetings.


Work Environment
  • The worker normally performs their job indoors in an office environment.
  • Minimal travel for project work, conferences, and training required.
  • Occasionally may be required to support department events during evenings and weekends.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
  • Full Time, 35 hours/week.
  • Exempt.
Required Education and Experience
  • 1-3 Years’ Experience in related fields and familiarity with development communications and persuasive writing.
  • Demonstrated ability as a versatile and persuasive writer with excellent grammar, spelling, and proofreading skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment and proven history of successful collaboration across teams and/or units.
  • Proficiency with MS Office programs including MS Word and MS PowerPoint; capable of handling most letter writing, printing, and mailing, and basic desktop publishing.
  • Excellent customer service skills (including responding quickly, diplomatically, thoughtfully, and creatively to feedback from clients, while keeping the project headed toward the agreed-upon goal).
  • Extremely high level of professionalism; superior tact, discretion, and sensitivity to confidential information.
Preferred Education and Experience
  • Bachelor's Degree in Communication, Journalism and Public Affairs; or closely related field.
  • 3-5 Years’ Experience in higher education or philanthropic campaigns.
  • Skill using Adobe Creative Suite.
Others
  • Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
  • To ensure the health and safety of our community AU requires COVID-19 vaccinations for faculty and staff. Click here to learn more about our health and safety directive .
  • Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite.Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options .

Current American University Employees

If you are a current employee at American University, please log intoAsuccessfulU through themyAU portal . Once in AsuccessfulU, please select the Careers tile which will take you to our internal career page.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu .

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.

Nearest Major Market: Washington DC

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