Senior Communications Specialist for Donor Relations

University of Pennsylvania

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Executive Director of Donor Relations, the Senior Communications Specialist for Donor Relations is an exceptional writer, conceptual thinker, and project manager working to advance the University’s mission and goals, specifically supporting the highest priority development initiatives at the University level. This individual will contribute to creative problem-solving, planning, and timely execution for an evolving portfolio of writing and communications projects, and will often work independently and in a consultative capacity around writing needs with senior staff and academic leadership across the University. Working as key member of the Donor Relations team within the AVP Campaign and Engagement area, the Senior Communications Specialists’ projects may include conceptual frameworks for new communications initiatives, particularly pertaining to Campaign; written case statements, collateral materials, and templated proposal language for University-level initiatives; principal gift level personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship materials, including proposals; and other varied and unique needs arising.

Requirements

Bachelors degree required plus 5-7 years relevant work experience in communications or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Expert writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
Experience writing for fundraising, including compelling case materials, fundraising proposals, and donor stewardship materials required.
Comfort level and skill with technologies including digital platforms for sharing proposals and other resources with donors, eg. Qwilr.
Experience writing high visibility executive communications.
Excellent project management skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to function with diplomacy and build positive working relationships with peers and leadership.
Demonstrated history of effective performance within demanding, deadline-driven environments, and ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor when under pressure.

Responsibilities

Provide senior-level planning and execution for mission-critical writing projects for high-profile DAR initiatives especially directed at soliciting and stewarding our highest level donors.
Work closely as needed to execute assigned projects with the Office of the President, the Secretary’s Office, Principal Gifts, senior DAR leadership, Development Directors in the Schools and Centers, and other University staff and faculty.
Respond to emerging and sometimes unexpected needs for timely and compelling written communications.
Produce unique and compelling digital and print pieces for Principal Gifts and other fundraising areas to be presented to donors by the University President and other top Penn administrators.
As needed, serve as a DAR liaison with outside vendors to ensure a high standard of excellence in outsourced communications projects.
Interact comfortably and effectively with top levels of the University’s leadership and faculty, as well as with valued philanthropists and high level volunteers.
Other duties as assigned

Benefits

Excellent healthcare
Tuition benefits for employees and their families
Generous retirement benefits
Wide variety of professional development opportunities
Supportive work and family benefits
Wealth of health and wellness programs and resources
Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
Flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars
Tuition assistance for employee, spouse, and dependent children
Retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental) with pre-tax or Roth basis options
Wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard
Substantial amount of time away from work
Long-Term Care Insurance
Wellness and Work-life Resources
Professional and Personal Development resources
Access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities
Discounts and Special Services (arts and entertainment, transportation, mortgages, new cars, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, theme parks)
Flexible Work Hours
Penn Home Ownership Services (forgivable loan for eligible employees)
Adoption Assistance