Marketing Writer

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director, Communications, the Marketing Writer works within the Development and Alumni Relations Communications department to provide strong writing, editing, marketing and creative concepting in support of the Rice Annual Fund and other divisional priorities. A central function of the writer is to provide high quality creative direction and content for annual giving collateral in partnership with the Rice Annual Fund direct marketing team. This includes working closely with fundraising staff, graphic designers, production staff, web designers and others to accomplish robust, segmented marketing campaigns spanning print, email, web, social media, video and more.

This position currently has a hybrid work arrangement, with a minimum of two days per week in the office.

The ideal candidate will be a creative and critical thinker, avid researcher and excellent writer with the ability to understand the needs of a particular audience and customize the messaging appropriately.

Essential Functions

• Researches, conceptualizes and writes compelling copy for informational, promotional and public relations projects to support the initiatives and objectives of the university or a department, program, division or school
• Provides guidance to clients in the identification and development of communications plans
• Produces speeches, brochures, articles, features, press releases, marketing collateral, newsletters, web pages and/or other types of materials
• Edits copy for accuracy, effectiveness and Rice style
• Writes and edits marketing and promotional copy and communications on behalf of university leaders
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions/Information

• Plans integrated marketing campaigns for quarterly solicitation and stewardship campaigns
• Develops solicitation and stewardship materials (brochures, web content, emails, invitations)
• Drafts copy for the giving website, e-newsletters and stories that profile and celebrate philanthropy at Rice
• Develops collateral and invitation sets for fundraising events
• Provides editorial services and quality assurance, with emphasis on fundraising writing, promotional/marketing writing, creative writing and in-depth descriptive writing and quality assurance
• Advises on social media strategies
• Maintains and supports the Rice Annual Fund and Rice University brands, while collaborating with Rice’s Public Affairs Division on joint projects, publications and branding opportunities
• Writes articles, magazine advertisements, stories, volunteer letters and emails
• Serves as copy editor and proofreader, primarily on Rice Annual Fund materials, but also on other communication projects as needed
• Serves as point person for creative decisions on annual giving communications
• Documents important information and interactions with donors in the advancement system
• Works collaboratively on project scope, timelines and tasks using project management software
• Spends many hours per day in front of a computer and/or in strategy or collaborative project meetings
• Position is in contact with Rice staff, faculty and administrators at all levels as well as external volunteers, donors and vendors

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in English, liberal arts, journalism or a related field
• Three years of related professional writing experience
• Skills Required
  • Advanced written and verbal communication skills
  • Intermediate knowledge of multiple media formats
  • Intermediate knowledge of AP style
  • Listening skills
  • Intermediate Microsoft Office skills

Substitutions

• In lieu of Bachelor’s Degree in English, liberal arts, or journalism, a bachelor’s degree in any field with a total of five years of professional writing experience would be accepted
• No substitutions for experience allowed

Preferred Qualifications

• Education and Experience
  • Four or more years of professional writing and editing experience
  • Experience writing for development at an institution of higher education or in writing marketing collateral, brochures, correspondence or newsletters for various purposes
  • Experience working with clients and managing customer relationships (includes faculty, deans and fundraisers)
  • Experience working in a nonprofit fundraising campaign or initiative
  • Experience in a PC Windows environment

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Current Rice University COVID policies, which include vaccination, face mask, testing, gatherings, occupancy limits, and travel policies can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies