Specialist, Development Communications

Union of Concerned Scientists•Washington, DC

7h•Remote

About The Position

The Specialist, Development Communications supports the UCS Development Team in raising $40-$50M annually through creating dedicated content for fundraising collateral for a wide range of donor audiences, with a particular focus on Major and Mid-Level Donors and Family Foundations. This role works collaboratively across teams to translate the organization and its program priorities into narratives that steward established donors and cultivate new ones to invest meaningfully into the organizational vision through strategies and timebound tactics that result in measurable impact. The Specialist will curate anecdotes that exemplify our work through compelling storytelling that pulls on heart, while balancing those narratives with data and visuals that demonstrate tangible impacts. This role will report into the Stewardship, Engagement, and Events team but have a strong and collaborative working relationship with the Major Gifts, Membership, and other Development teams.

Requirements

At least 5-7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with at least 5 years of development writing experience.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Must be able to manage complex projects and multiple tasks with thorough attention to detail and follow-through; plan, organize and communicate effectively; collaborate well with colleagues within and outside of Development department
Demonstrated success managing and prioritizing all tasks associated with writing successful and compelling proposals/reports
Must demonstrate superior interpersonal skills and ability to manage relationships and multiple tasks with ease.
Strong computer skills, including facility with Microsoft Office suite and constituent databases necessary.
The position requires the ability to work remotely, independently, and in a team environment.
The position requires a bachelor’s degree. Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Major gifts or foundations fundraising experience, including direct donor contact and solicitation experience, as well as knowledge of donor tracking systems, is a plus.
Experience with Raiser’s Edge, Mission CRM, Lexis, Microsoft Dynamics, and/or DonorSearch a plus.

Responsibilities

Collaborate across teams and internal stakeholders to develop compelling proposals, reports and other donor communications collateral, with a focus on Major Gift and Family Foundation donor audiences.
Build relationships and information bridges with program teams to support the translation of programmatic priorities and workplans into compelling donor-facing narratives, and to deliver rapid response donor communications on programmatic developments, achievements, and related news events that impact the trajectory of UCS strategies.
Develop donor-targeted program narratives that are solutions-oriented, impact-driven, and combine compelling data that demonstrates our theory of change and measures progress with storytelling that illustrates our work in action and the results of that work.
Serve as a Development department-wide resource to share updated donor-ready programmatic language, ensuring consistent and updated language is used by Major Gifts, Stewardship, Membership and other teams.
Coordinate and lead on creation of portfolio-wide communications (e.g. acknowledgement letters, bi-annual appeals, cultivation mailings, event invites, etc.).
Develop three-to-five program briefs annually for donors that offer compelling solutions and impact-oriented narrative that set up major gifts officers up for success in their personalized solicitation strategies.
Project management, including working in collaboration with Development, Communications, and Data teams to manage lists, liaise with mail houses/vendors, assemble content, etc.
Maintain major donor and family foundation proposal report calendar, and assist in assembling materials, drafting/designing/repurposing materials.
Assist in preparing briefing materials for donor meetings, among other copy-editing, writing, communications-related responsibilities.
Ensure proper data management and coding to support accurate and thoughtful inclusion (or exclusion) of MG donor/ prospect audiences within various communication streams across development and the organization.
Performs other duties as assigned.