Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

The senior advancement writer will report to the executive director of communications for Principal Gifts. This position is responsible for researching, writing, and producing customized communications to engage and inspire support from the university’s most generous donors, as well as contributing to fundraising and stewardship strategies and their implementation. The position delivers exceptional service to WashU benefactors and plays a central role in setting and delivering principal gifts fundraising and engagement strategies and meeting program goals.

Job Description

• Plan, write, edit, and produce proposals, special stewardship materials, and other Principal Gifts communications, as assigned.
• Help shape strategies and innovative approaches to big-idea fundraising, including engaging with advancement colleagues and university partners in the ideation and proposal development for these big ideas.
• Develop themes, and craft copy, correspondence, presentations and remarks for bespoke donor experiences, including assisting senior university leadership with their donor communications.
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships across Advancement; join executive director as a liaison to Advancement Communications, University Marketing & Communications and other marketing and communications colleagues.
• Coordinate with designers, vendors and university partners to create and design off-the-shelf proposals, templates, and other fundraising campaign materials.
• Support the Principal Gifts Program with departmental presentations and internal and external communications.
• Support the creative director for Principal Gifts.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at a desk or table
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement

Equipment

• Office equipment
• Has the ability to move to on and off-campus locations as needed

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Strategic Communications, Donor Communications, Or Related Areas, Preferably In Higher Education Or Other Large, Complex Organization (10 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree

Certifications:

No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience:

Writer And Editor (10 Years)

Skills:

Adobe Creative Studio, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, AP Style Writing, Communications Strategy, Confidentiality, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Deadline Management, Detail-Oriented, Diplomacy, Donor Communications, Donor Stewardship, Editorial Editing, Fundraising Strategies, Graphic Design, Interactive Communication, Microsoft Office, Organizing, Professional Ethics, Professional Writing, Project Prioritization, Proposal Writing, Tactful, Web Software, Writing

Grade

G14

Salary Range

$75,200.00 - $128,800.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Washington University is dedicated to building a community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.