Senior Writer and Content Strategist
About The Position
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Senior Writer and Content Strategist at its Detroit campus location. Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society. Job Purpose Support efforts to create a variety of integrated fundraising initiatives, as well as informative and inspiring messages that promote the mission, priorities, and values of Wayne State University. Develop partnerships with university leaders, fundraising professionals and faculty to gain an understanding of impactful projects and programs throughout the university, develop pathways to funding, and articulate their relevance to the university's mission, through high-quality written case statements, proposals, and other fundraising materials. Support fundraising activities by helping to strengthen communications within the division, across campus and in the community to encourage long-term investment with Wayne State from diverse audiences. This position reports to the Senior Director, Advancement Communications.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in English, communications, marketing, or journalism.
- At least three years professional writing experience within advancement or fundraising communications for a college, university or nonprofit preferred.
- Strong research, interviewing, writing, and editing skills with demonstrated proofreading skills.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of fundraising and stewardship processes and communications.
- Experience in a higher education fundraising environment preferred.
- Ability to evaluate, interpret, and present complex information effectively in professionally prepared documents or presentations.
- Demonstrated attention to detail in order to achieve a high degree of accuracy.
- Exhibits a willingness to partner with units across the university with integrity and high character to reach unified goals.
- Possesses the ability to navigate difficult situations with grace and understanding.
- Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and professionally both orally and in writing.
- Strong interpersonal skills are a must.
- Demonstrates the ability to plan and deliver oral and written communications that are impactful and persuasive including presentations to university management and committees.
- Ability to accurately edit and proofread a variety of materials under tight deadlines.
- Independent and innovative self-starter who displays an ability to learn quickly and easily adapts to changing situations.
- Experience researching topics to gain knowledge and understanding when information gaps exist.
- Ability to manage several projects simultaneously, prioritize and plan work activities while meeting respective deadlines.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills required.
- Maturity, sound judgment and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a deadline-oriented environment.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues within the division and other units to gain full understanding of the project and desired outcome; ability to produce high quality and consistent results with assistance of team members; provide support to teammates when tackling complex projects.
- Proficient in the use of complex administrative systems software, preferably in the higher education environment.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, especially Word, Excel and Teams.
- Ability to understand and translate complex concepts into lay terms.
- Ability to conduct research, interview subjects and write materials that are creative and interesting, with strong attention to detail, grammar, and style rules.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree preferred.
- At least three years professional writing experience within advancement or fundraising communications for a college, university or nonprofit preferred.
- Experience in a higher education fundraising environment preferred.
Responsibilities
- Support the development of written and designed materials for principal and major gift fundraising, including case statements, proposals, executive summaries, special letters, briefing materials, reports, and white papers.
- Partner with university leadership, development professionals, university faculty, and staff to identify projects and programs for fundraising initiatives, from dean-approved and faculty-led projects to university-wide strategic initiatives. Develop associated materials.
- Support and create comprehensive campaign and fundraising materials for the university and for each school and college in collaboration with university and division leadership. Support work to identify communication strategies for fundraising initiatives within comprehensive and micro-campaigns.
- Strategize with frontline fundraisers in the units as well as division leadership, University-wide Philanthropy, Donor Experience, and others to develop unified language and materials that help achieve fundraising goals.
- Partner with division colleagues to develop and support their content creation as needed, including but not limited to Annual Giving, Donor Experience, University-wide Philanthropy and Planned Giving.
- Assist team with copyediting and proofreading.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
