Senior Communications Specialist for Donor Relations
Job Description Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director of Donor Relations, the Senior Communications Specialist for Donor Relations is an exceptional writer, conceptual thinker, and project manager working to advance the University's mission and goals, specifically supporting the highest priority development initiatives at the University level. This individual will contribute to creative problem-solving, planning, and timely execution for an evolving portfolio of writing and communications projects, and will often work independently and in a consultative capacity around writing needs with senior staff and academic leadership across the University.
Working as key member of the Donor Relations team within the AVP Campaign and Engagement area, the Senior Communications Specialists' projects may include conceptual frameworks for new communications initiatives, particularly pertaining to Campaign; written case statements, collateral materials, and templated proposal language for University-level initiatives; principal gift level personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship materials, including proposals; and other varied and unique needs arising.
Job Responsibilities
- Provide senior-level planning and execution for mission-critical writing projects for high-profile DAR initiatives especially directed at soliciting and stewarding our highest level donors.
- Work closely as needed to execute assigned projects with the Office of the President, the Secretary's Office, Principal Gifts, senior DAR leadership, Development Directors in the Schools and Centers, and other University staff and faculty.
- Respond to emerging and sometimes unexpected needs for timely and compelling written communications.
- Produce unique and compelling digital and print pieces for Principal Gifts and other fundraising areas to be presented to donors by the University President and other top Penn administrators.
- As needed, serve as a DAR liaison with outside vendors to ensure a high standard of excellence in outsourced communications projects.
- Interact comfortably and effectively with top levels of the University's leadership and faculty, as well as with valued philanthropists and high level volunteers.
- Other duties as assigned
Please provide a resume and cover letter in order to be considered for this role. Please upload all documents in the "Resume/CV" section of the application prior to submitting.
Qualifications
- Bachelors degree required plus 5-7 years relevant work experience in communications or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
- Expert writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
- Experience writing for fundraising, including compelling case materials, fundraising proposals, and donor stewardship materials required.
- Comfort level and skill with technologies including digital platforms for sharing proposals and other resources with donors, eg. Qwilr.
- Experience writing high visibility executive communications.
- Excellent project management skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to function with diplomacy and build positive working relationships with peers and leadership.
- Demonstrated history of effective performance within demanding, deadline-driven environments, and ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor when under pressure.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Development and Alumni Relations
Pay Range
$76,000.00 - $85,000.00 Annual Rate
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