Transformational Gifts Writer, Development

University of Texas at Austin

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Dell Medical School is seeking a Transformational Gifts Writer, Development, to provide strategic communications consultation for donor-focused communications that support fundraising priorities and outcomes. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development Communications, the role serves as a lead editor and writer for external content and high-level internal communications. It works with faculty, institutional communications, and marketing teams to develop proposals, cases for support, campaign materials, and digital content. The position ensures alignment with brand standards, communications best practices, and donor engagement goals, using storytelling and integrated communications to strengthen relationships with donors and stakeholders. The role develops donor communications strategies, advises clients throughout the giving cycle, and evaluates communications effectiveness. It leads content creation, fundraising cases and proposals, and campaign-related materials; translates complex academic, clinical, and research priorities into donor-ready narratives; and supports donor-focused events and leadership presentations. It also coordinates messaging with institutional partners, keeps development colleagues informed of relevant developments, supports fundraisers with content and tools, and participates in planning major campaigns and events. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field, with at least 5 years of experience developing and leading fundraising or marketing communications strategy for a large higher-education institution, nonprofit, or corporate office within the health sciences. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Ability to maintain the security or integrity of critical infrastructure, where applicable under Texas Executive Order No. GA-48.
Skills in fundraising strategy and the donor lifecycle; strategic communications, branding, and storytelling; academic or healthcare environments; editorial standards and persuasive writing; performance measurement and CRM tools; strategic communications planning; advanced writing and editing; translating complex concepts into clear narratives; project and proposal management; stakeholder collaboration and influence; campaign and content development; and data analysis and evaluation.
Ability to think strategically and align work with fundraising goals, manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines, build relationships and influence stakeholders, drive measurable results, maintain brand consistency, lead projects independently, and adapt messaging.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field with at least 6 years of experience in healthcare or higher-education fundraising communications.

Responsibilities

Develop donor-focused communications strategies aligned with institutional fundraising priorities and the cycle of giving.
Advise internal clients on communications needs and partner with communications and marketing teams to ensure message alignment.
Establish annual communications goals and assess effectiveness using qualitative and quantitative measures.
Work with faculty and physicians to develop fundraising cases for support, articulate gift concepts, and ensure brand-aligned language.
Translate complex academic, clinical, and research priorities into compelling donor-ready narratives.
Lead the writing and strategy for externally facing content across the cycle of giving, managing tight deadlines and changing priorities.
Enter content into designed templates and collaborate with graphic designers on custom materials.
Guide scripting and messaging for donor-focused events, campaigns, and leadership presentations.
Lead development of fundraising cases and gift opportunities with administrators, faculty, and development officers.
Maintain methods and standards for tracking proposals in process using development systems or other platforms.
Serve as project lead for transformational proposals and campaign-related materials.
Maintain consistent and adaptable campaign messaging across audiences and timelines.
Integrate donor messaging into broader campaigns with communications and marketing teams.
Develop internal communications strategies and keep the development community informed of relevant developments.
Coordinate with campus development teams to support cohesive health communications.
Provide content and tools for in-house and campus-wide fundraisers.
Participate in planning sessions for major campaigns and events.
Adhere to internal controls and reporting structures and perform related duties as required.