Senior Development Writer, Donor Communications
The University of Chicago

Department

ARD Donor Communications

About the Department

Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents, and friends of the University through intellectual, professional, and social activities on campus, around the world, and online. ARD raises $600 Million annually to support faculty and researchers, practitioners and patients, and students and programs across the University. Our work supports priorities in every division, school, department, and institute.

ARD Communications works with partners across ARD and the University to create fundraising and engagement materials for University of Chicago alumni, parents, and friends. Within ARD Communications, the Donor Communications team applies its creativity and expertise to the writing and editing of principal gift solicitations, annual giving appeals and event marketing, e-newsletters, stories for alumni-facing publications, including the University of Chicago Magazine, and other projects.

Job Summary

This position writes a variety of communications for the University. Works with moderate guidance to research, compose, and edit high-level communications, publications and/or reports with complex and specialized subject matter.

Responsibilities

• Researches and writes compelling proposals that inspire philanthropy at the highest level in support of the University's strategic initiatives and the priorities of an upcoming comprehensive campaign.
• Writes creative, engaging copy for annual giving solicitations, donor-centric websites, and other mass-market fundraising and engagement efforts, including via social media.
• Fulfills other writing, copyediting, proofreading, and editorial duties as needed.
• Contributes ideas and writing to enhance print and electronic publications, such as The University of Chicago Magazine, Short List, and The Core, donor communications, and events, including Alumni Weekend and the University's annual Giving Day, to help ensure that they engage and delight their intended audiences.
• Collaborates with communications teams as well as fundraising officers, alumni relations staff, and communications colleagues across the University to plan and implement development communications that uphold ARD and University messaging, tone, style, and brand guidelines.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Researches, verifies, writes and edits publications, which can includes technical/scientific material for manuals or journals.
• Participates in the design and planning of communications strategies.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
---
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Writing principal gift proposals, case statements, and other fundraising communications for sophisticated general audiences.
• Writing news and feature stories for newspapers, magazines, or online outlets.
• Editing the work of others, writers and non-writers.
• Interviewing wide range of subject matter experts, including academics and scientific researchers.
• Familiarity with The Chicago Manual of Style.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, including Phoenix (ARD's next-generation fundraising technology), Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptionally strong writing and verbal skills, including experience writing persuasively.
• High attention to detail and follow-up, and excellent organizational skills.
• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Work independently on projects and events from conception to completion.
• Communicate effectively and with influence.
• Well-developed creativity, including the ability to write with humor and wit, and a sensitivity to appropriate tone depending on the audience.
• Self-motivated and take initiative.
• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.

Working Conditions

• This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence.
• Standard office environment.
• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
• Work evenings and weekends as needed.
• This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Communications

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

---