SENIOR WRITER, STEWARDSHIP & DONOR RELATIONS, Development & Alumni Relations

Tracking Code5004Job Description

Our Mission

We in Boston University Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have built—and are continuing to build—an outstanding team of dynamic, mission-driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. Where it’s not just a job, but a career and a community.

Now, our Stewardship & Donor Relations team is looking for an Senior Writer, who will steward the University’s most generous donors, working closely with Development’s senior leadership, and central and school-based gift officers to ensure the delivery of high-level, accurate, meaningful, and timely stewardship communications.

Stewardship & Donor Relations at Boston University

The central Stewardship and Donor Relations team is responsible for the design and implementation of a strategic and integrated donor relations program for past and current donors to enhance their relationships with the University. Through collaboration with their Development & Alumni Relations colleagues, and various offices across the University, the team creates meaningful communications and opportunities to express Boston University’s gratitude to its constituents and demonstrate the impact of their philanthropy.

Senior Writer, Stewardship & Donor Relations

Reporting to the Associate Director, the Senior Writer is an integral and highly visible member of the Stewardship & Donor Relations team. The incumbent is responsible for the management and production of Senior Vice President gift acknowledgment letters and other senior level correspondence, including Presidential acknowledgements, and customized high-end stewardship communications and deliverables for principal and major gift level donors and donor cohorts. The Senior Writer also assists with stewarding named spaces, through tracking donor recognition plaques and key milestone dates, as well as preparing selected impact pieces for these spaces. When needed, this position provides editorial support to all members of the SDR team for various donor communication pieces.

Responsibilities:

• Produce timely and meaningful gift acknowledgment letters for the Senior Vice President and President to the University’s most generous supporters on a daily basis. Must have the ability to adapt writing style to adhere to the voice of the SVP and President, as well as the ability to synthesize information from various sources as part of the writing process. Collaborate with key stakeholders, including the SVP’s and President’s offices, Gifts & Records, development officers, and academic staff. Adhere to strict deadlines and operating procedures with a high level of detail and flexibility. Must be able to prioritize a demanding workload, especially during high-volume periods, such as Giving Day, fiscal year-end, and calendar year-end. Oversee work of student employees as it relates to supporting this position.
• Maintain a master inventory of donor recognition plaques for all named spaces at the University, as well as a master inventory of named buildings and centers. Facilitate the creation and installation of donor recognition plaques as assigned. Design, write, and produce impact reports and communications for select building/center dedication anniversaries for principal and major gift level donors to convey the impact of their philanthropic investment. Collaborate with the Development Communications team on selected pieces.
• Proof and provide copy editing for stewardship deliverables and other materials as needed. Other responsibilities to support the Stewardship & Donor Relations team and donor recognition efforts as assigned.

Required Skills

A cover letter is required for consideration.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5-8 years of related experience
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong proofing & editing skills are essential

But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect, because we value every member’s contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills, our values, and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application.

To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the DAR Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/dar-talent/.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-353-6474.

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty, will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption (instructions). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the Back2BU site.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Job LocationBOSTON, Massachusetts, United StatesPosition TypeFull-Time/Regular