Development Writer

The Development Writer serves as the grant writer for the department and directly supports the revenue-raising functions of Institutional Advancement by creating custom gift proposals, submitting grants, researching and creating written materials for established and emerging development priorities, and acting as editor for the Institutional Advancement Division on a variety of written projects. S/he works strategically with IA colleagues to ensure messages to the external and internal communities are consistent to IA standards and the College’s brand.

Proposal/Grant Writing: Writes compelling and accurate proposals for Foundation Relations. Research existing and emerging campus initiatives to gather a base of information and create standard written descriptions of key initiative aspects that may be used by field officers and others in the creation of correspondence, marketing and basic or routine proposals. Track proposal metrics (number requested, number completed, of request outcomes) to measure performance. Maintain database of donor information for shared access with Institutional Advancement fundraisers. Conduct Foundation Relations prospect research and budget development as needed to complete successful proposals. Provides key organizational writing and essential elements of grant writing: executive summary, the case for need, project narrative and project budget to include appendices and attachments. Fund-raising activities: For all College fund-raising efforts (including comprehensive campaigns and special initiatives) create – or act as IA’s point person for – all relevant written communications. Develops and maintains a detailed understanding of all major fund-raising initiatives and also of Campaign infrastructure, critical relationships within and outside of IA, timelines and the like. Specific documents that are the responsibility of this person includes selected donor stewardship materials, case statements and support materials. Stewardship and Event Writing: Creates and/or edit talking points for donor-related events; serve as the primary writer of presidential communications that fall under IA’s purview (such as event scripts and appeal letters); create donor stewardship materials and fund-raising volunteer communications. Senior editorial authority/activities: As needed, act as the editor representing Institutional Advancement’s VP and Director of Foundation Relations on important campus-wide communications created across IA. Ensure consistency and style of message in these materials as needed, as well as ghost-write on behalf of the College’s senior leadership and volunteers, including the president and board when appropriate for proposal submission. Campaign/Development Team member: Actively participate in the strategy and planning for fund-raising campaigns by attending relevant campaign-related meetings and maintaining an up-to-date understanding of the most important activities within this effort. Grants Management activities: Complete reports for our foundation donors in partnership with the principal investigators. Collaborate with the team to collect impact narratives and Budget and Contracts for financial requirements.

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of related work experience required. Successful experience in grant writing and development required. Must possess exceptional writing and editing skills, with a proven track record in producing fund-raising communications and the ability to “ghost write” on behalf of others. The ability to develop superior knowledge of the organization’s mission, goals and programs; and to gather, interpret and reposition complex information are all required. Industry knowledge is a prerequisite for staying updated on the latest information and innovation about grants. The successful candidate will stay at the forefront of the grants field to ensure the maximum amount of grant awards. The ability to work independently in a matrixed environment serving many internal and some external clients is required. Professional demeanor with the ability to interface with internal and external customers with diplomacy and tact is essential. The candidate must demonstrate attention to detail and practical thinking skills when responding to donor/grantor guidelines and specifications for request. Independent judgment is necessary to plan, prioritize and organize a diversified workload that requires fact-finding and compilation skills plus ability to perform a variety of tasks simultaneously, with little supervision. Excellent oral communication skills are required when presenting information and responding to questions from students, parents, donors, faculty and staff, and the general public in one-on-one or group situations. To perform this job successfully, an individual must have intermediate skills using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). In addition to producing written materials, duties may involve assignments that require creating spreadsheets, editing newsletters, and using Spelman’s fund-raising software for research purposes. Use of Outlook, or similar software and Internet navigation are essential.

Exceptional writing and editing skills, with a proven track record in producing fund-raising communications and the ability to “ghost write” on behalf of others.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: sit, talk, hear, use hands to operate computers, other office equipment, and to move items. The employee is frequently required to: stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to: stoop, lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to adjust focus.

Days

1% - 25%

Full-time

Exempt

1

SC0329P

08/19/2021

Yes

Spelman College is an EEO/Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Title IX Employer and we participate in E-Verify. We are a smoke-free campus.