Senior Fundraising Communication Writer and Manager

Job description

Description
The Advancement operation provides the management and coordination of the back office functions to support the campus-based fundraising field staff. These include research, marketing and communications, gift processing, data base management, estate gift planning, and other services. These central services produce economies of scale by eliminating the need for these back office functions to be duplicated on each of the four campuses. They also place the institution in an optimal position to attract substantial support from the philanthropic sector.

Position Summary

This position creates memorable and imaginative fundraising communications that share CU’s story with donors so they’re inspired to support what matters to them. Primary duties include writing and editing donor communications, managing digital and print projects, developing creative concepts, and promoting philanthropy’s value through various public content channels. More specifically, this position will be a central writer in areas like annual giving, planned giving, donor stewardship, gift proposals, and impact reporting.

This role is a vital part of a Marketing and Communications team that pushes new creative boundaries with every project. We are a visionary and inventive group whose work backs our mission: inspiring donors to support CU to improve lives in Colorado and around the world.  

This position reports to the Director of Marketing and Communications and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified Staff system.  

Duties and Responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to: 

• Write, edit, gather, research, and organize materials for various CU Advancement marketing and communications needs. These primarily include impact reports, gift solicitations, donor engagement and stewardship, feature stories, and email and social campaigns.
• Lead assigned projects from conception to completion, in coordination with partners like frontline fundraisers, academic leaders, designers, social editors, and vendors. 
• Build strong relationships with Advancement partners so that our work is strategic, unambiguous, efficient, quick, and effective. 
• Understand Advancement’s strategy, priorities, process, and roadmaps as comprehensively as possible.
• Develop components of strategic communications platforms, including messaging narratives, audience personas, publication calendars, and distribution channels. 
• Collaborate with colleagues on sweeping Advancement initiatives that proclaim philanthropy’s essential role in CU’s mission.
• Promote our core values of collaboration, leadership, integrity, and fun.
• Travel locally to gather information for projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Who we are: System Administration, which also houses the Office of the President, is located in the uptown neighborhood of Denver with a few smaller offices located on the campuses.  However, this position is located in Denver.  Many of our departments support the educational and research missions of the four University of Colorado campuses, but System Administration is not considered a campus. We provide diverse opportunities for professional development, innovation, and collaboration with talented staff and faculty.  Learn more about CU System Administration.

The University of Colorado has been proactive in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can visit our COVID-19 webpage for more information.

What we offer:

Salary: The salary range has been established at $55,300 - $68,300, with the expected hiring salary of $65,000 - $68,000.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Benefits: The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision and Wellness
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
  • Vacation Days: 22
  • Sick Days: 15
  • Holiday Days: 10
• Tuition Benefit: System employees have the benefit on all campuses 
• ECO Pass: RTD Bus and light rail service
• Additional Perks & Programs: Click here to access a few more Perks and Programs

Click here to access our Total Compensation Calculator to see what your total rewards could be at CU. This position is a University Staff position.

Additional taxable fringe benefits may be available.

More information on benefits programs, including eligibility, is available at www.cu.edu/employee-services/.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
To be successful in this position, candidates will need the following:

• Exceptional writing skills that result in compelling, inspirational, clear, sophisticated, and accurate content for various donor audiences. 
• Ability to generate content ideas through brainstorms, research, interviews, and other means.
• Ability to create original content and curate existing content.
• Ability to interview people for stories and similar content needs.
• Ability to develop strategic donor communications plans that are predicated on consistent messaging, precise audiences, and communications calendars.
• Ability to think visually and create content ideas related to page design, graphic design, photography, web, audio, and video.
• Ability to incorporate visuals and multimedia into content planning.
• Strategy and planning skills, including the ability to develop a long-term content strategy and plan.
• Collaboration skills, including the ability to work with various partners, including donors, fundraisers, executives, peers, and academic leaders.
• Knowledge and familiarity with email and social communications platforms.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and abilities: communication, listening, teamwork, and open-mindedness.
• Ability to create goals that can be identified, measured, and tracked.
• Ability to maintain integrity and discretion with sensitive and confidential information.
• Basic knowledge of the agile work process and an understanding of project management tactics and tools.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently, and with integrity and transparency. 
• Strong knowledge of and skill using Microsoft Office applications. 
• Knowledge of Associated Press (AP) or similar style and usage guidelines.

Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent professional experience. (The educational requirement may be substituted for professional experience on a year-for-year basis).
• Three (3) years of experience in fundraising marketing and communications, which includes professional writing, nonfiction storytelling, and editing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or post-baccalaureate degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or field of study related to the work performed.
• Five (5) years of experience in fundraising marketing and communications, as indicated above. 
• Experience working in nonprofits or higher education.
• Experience with AP or similar style and usage guidelines.
• Experience with photography, video, audio, and graphic design.
• Experience working in project management platforms.

Job Category: Communication
Primary Location: Denver
Schedule: Full-time
Posting Date: Mar 29, 2021
Unposting Date: Ongoing

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