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Development Writer

Job Details

About Drexel

Drexel is one of Philadelphia's top 10 private employers, a comprehensive global research university and a major engine for economic development in the region. With over 24,000 students, Drexel is one of America's 15 largest private universities. Drexel has committed to being the nation’s most civically engaged university, with community partnerships integrated into every aspect of service and academics.

Job Summary

Drexel’s Office of Institutional Advancement (IA) supports the University’s mission and strategic priorities by generating philanthropic engagement and by building and strengthening relationships among alumni, students, faculty, staff, civic leaders, friends, and foundation and corporate partners. We aspire to create a sustainable and lasting culture of philanthropy at Drexel University by cultivating the next generation of leadership through volunteer initiatives and alumni engagement.

In alignment with Drexel University’s values and priorities, IA is committed to maintaining a flexible and dynamic work environment that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion; professional and career development; and collaboration and innovation across all our departments.

The Development Writer, Marketing and Communications, is a key member of the central Office of Institutional Advancement (IA) staff, who develops content that cultivates strong private support for Drexel University. This position will focus on conceptualizing, researching, writing, editing, and project-managing a wide range of print and digital communications in support of The Campaign for Drexel and continued fundraising and stewardship efforts following the formal conclusion of the Campaign.

Essential Functions
  • Research, write, edit, and project-manage a broad range of print and digital development communications including fundraising collateral; donor profiles; stories about philanthropic impact; remarks for IA leadership and University President; stewardship communications; gift proposals for individual donors; case statements; and concept papers.
  • Meet with internal stakeholders (e.g., deans, faculty, frontline fundraisers) to understand their communications goals, keep stakeholders updated, and ensure delivery to stakeholder satisfaction.
  • Conduct research and gather background information as needed to develop effective proposals and other fundraising and stewardship communications.
  • Communicate the impact of gifts to the University and create compelling stories of support by interviewing donors, faculty, and staff.
  • Stay abreast of institutional priorities, and news about faculty/students/alumni/programs and use this information in developing persuasive messages and cases for support.
  • Collaborate with Marketing and Communications visual and digital teams as needed on proposals and other materials that require design, production, and/or deployment through digital channels.
  • Work with team members to establish project timelines and workflow. Assist with keeping progress consistent with prescribed timeline.
  • Ensure that content is reviewed and approved by identified colleagues, including IA staff and leadership, deans of schools/colleges and donors, and individuals quoted in produced content, which may include alumni and/or students.
  • Edit and proofread content written by IA colleagues (e.g., Annual Fund) or freelance writers.
  • Serve as back-up to other marketing and communications content writers as needed.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s Degree in English, Journalism, or Communications
  • Five to seven years of professional experience in related fields and familiarity with development communications, ideally in higher education
Preferred Qualifications
  • Demonstrated ability as a versatile, creative persuasive writer with excellent grammar, spelling and proofreading skills, including high standards regarding accuracy and adherence to content styles including Drexel University style guidelines.
  • Excellent research and project management skills.
  • Ability to synthesize large quantities of information, organize ideas and turn institutional objectives and messages into compelling cases for philanthropic support.
  • Knowledge of the university fundraising profession and of contemporary issues and methods of higher education institutional advancement and fundraising.
  • Experience in managing multi-step communications projects and in meeting multiple overlapping deadlines.
  • Experience to deal in confidence with information about donors and prospects and to exercise good judgment on behalf of IA and Drexel.
  • Familiarity with academic, scientific and/or technical subjects and a demonstrated ability to translate these to a lay audience.
  • Highly collaborative with strong interpersonal skills.
  • Skills to work in a team environment and on projects that involve feedback from multiple stakeholders.
  • Ability to prioritize numerous time-sensitive projects, to adapt to shifting priorities, to meet deadlines, and to respond to all requests with attention to detail and accuracy.
Physical Demands
  • Typically sitting at a desk/table
  • Typically standing, walking
Location

Remote/University City

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt with a salary grade of K. For more information regarding Drexel’s Professional Staff salary structure, https://drexel.edu/hr/career/ducomp/salstructure/

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume, cover letter, and copies of writing samples when submitting your application.

Note: Following the interview process, final candidates may be asked to participate in a brief writing test designed by the hiring manager.

Review of applicants will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified.

Advertised:Aug 23 2021 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:Sep 25 2021 Eastern Daylight Time

Company

Drexel University

Founded in 1891 in Philadelphia, Drexel is a comprehensive global R1-level research university with a unique model of experiential learning that combines academic rigor with one of the nation’s premier cooperative education programs.

Drexel University is an urban research university that integrates education, scholarship, diverse partnerships, and our global community to address society’s most pressing challenges through an inclusive learning environment, immersive experiential learning, external partnerships, transdisciplinary and applied research, and creative activity. We prepare graduates of diverse backgrounds to become purpose-driven professionals and agents for positive change

Drexel University II

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