Institutional Advancement Content Research - Writer

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Ave Maria University’s Marketing and Communications (UMC) team seeks applications for a writer to join our team in conceptualizing, writing, and editing compelling content for our audiences.

UMC defines and models the voice of philanthropy, among other academic and non-academic areas, at Ave Maria. Working for the Vice President of Marketing and the Senior Vice President of Advancement, the Marketing and Communications department writes, designs, produces, and assesses the impact of fundraising communications in all media, including print, video, and online content.

The University will be entering a fundraising campaign within the next few years. To support campaign fundraising and promote messaging about the campaign’s widespread impact, advancement communications is seeking a creative and experienced professional to serve as a writer and collaborative team member.

This writer will work in partnership with Ave Maria staff and others across the University to produce gift announcements, stories, and fundraising-related content—print, video and digital. As part of the UMC team that produces the AMU magazine, viewbook, and other campus publications, this position will write content for fund raising priority pages, gift agreements and proposals as well as announcements about the donors who generously give to the University, students, and faculty who have benefited from that support and the initiatives that require private support to achieve the goals of Ave Maria’s strategic plan.

In this position, the researcher/writer will work closely with the UMC team to ensure content strategy aligns with University Advancement priorities and goals. In addition, the writer will support University Advancement by helping develop content and strategies to highlight the benefits of private support at the University. This position requires someone with expert storytelling skills, interview skills, writing, and editing experience. Attention to detail and proofreading skills are also necessary. The writer will work closely with the Vice President of Marketing and the University Advancement staff and report to the Vice President of Marketing to maximize content effectiveness, promote distribution, and organize fund raising priorities in a strategic approach.

This position will remain open until filled.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify and write content to support Ave Maria’s fundraising goals, including those focused on donor profiles, student experience, faculty teaching and research, capital projects, and other projects within the University as assigned.
• Research and create content that demonstrates the transformational power of philanthropy and excites and engages our constituencies
• Promote teamwork across the UMC and Advancement Offices, working as a true partner to match each writing project with a donor’s vision and the priorities of the University.
• Research and write copy for cultivating donors (priority pages) as well as research and write and edit proposals for donors
• Assist the Senior Vice President of Advancement with producing gift announcements and all content related to the advancement operations.
• Write and edit stewardship communications for donors
• Monitor, edit, and update all content on the Ave Maria Advancement website, including giving pages.
• Lead the writing and editing of University Advancement award submissions (i.e. Council for the Advancement and Support of Education award entries).
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately and with discretion. Understands and maintains a commitment to professional ethics.
• Understanding of local, regional and national philanthropic and business communities.
• Deep commitment to Ave Maria University’s mission and core values.
• Reports to the Vice President and Senior Advisor to the President with a dotted line to the Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement.
• If remote and living within 2 hours of the University, travel to and work from Ave Maria, FL, campus a total of no less than 10 weekdays per month to meet with team; gather assignments; interview, research, write and complete assigned projects while capturing in writing the culture of Ave Maria and the voice of the President in all communications.  

EDUCATION:  Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of previous experience in a communications, public relations or related field. Higher education advancement writing preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• Any combination of acceptable education and experience, which has provided the necessary knowledge and skills to fulfill the requirements of the position, may be considered.
• Excellent critical listening and thinking skills, including the ability to ask relevant questions at the right time.
• Effective at establishing collegial working relationships within the office and across campus.
• Proven ability to set priorities and map direction on concurrent fronts.
• Strong organizational, time management, and prioritization skills; typically evidenced by experience with complex projects and proposals from concept to execution.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic team-based organization.
• Higher education, advancement office or nonprofit advancement writing experience preferred.
• Ability to understand and abide by the AFP Donor Bill of Right and the CASE Donor Bill of Rights, and the CASE Ethics Guidelines.
• Experience working in development, donor relations, marcomm, or alumni relations — especially within a higher education setting preferred.
• Experience writing correspondence and proposal content for annual, major, and principal giving preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:  

Exceptional time management and organization skills

Strong oral and written communication skills

Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and under supervision.

Willingness to serve, and build relationships with the troupe

Must possess strong initiative, leadership skills, organizational and project management skills, with the ability to multitask to manage a variety of projects and priorities, coordinating the actions of others, follow through on projects to timely completion, and demonstrate excellent judgment with attention to detail.

Microsoft Office experience with Word, Outlook, Publisher, Excel, Power Point software experience.

Must support the University’s Catholic mission.