Job Description
Content Writer, Principal Partnerships Creative Studio
Job no: 531481
Work type: Administrative & Professional
Senior management: Senior Vice Pres Advancement
Department: University Development
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Advancement, Communications / Public Relations / Marketing
Job Description The Content Writer for the Principal Partnerships Creative Studio collaborates with internal and external partners to equip Virginia Tech Advancement teams in LINK and Principal Gifts (PG) to secure gifts and cultivate relationships with select donor corporations, foundations, and individuals.
The Content Writer is part of a vibrant team dedicated to engaging C-suite and high-capacity donors or decision-makers through exquisite, meaningful, and innovative content. This person will highlight the impact of philanthropy with human-centered content focused on student success, faculty discoveries, emerging technologies, big ideas, successful partnerships, and more.
While embedded in the Principal Partnerships Creative Studio, the Content Writer will also be a member of Virginia Tech's larger Communications and Marketing team. The position reports to the Senior Director of Communications and Marketing for Principal Partnerships and collaborates with myriad colleagues at all levels of the university, including senior leadership, to deliver timely, compelling, and often sensitive materials in support of the university's major strategic objectives.
Essential duties and responsibilities include:
- Author and co-create compelling communication materials that appeal to both PG-level donors and principal corporate partners. Author stewardship materials, case studies, fundraising proposals, cases for support, or presentations to foundations, corporations, and individuals with capacity to give $5M or more.
- Work with the corporate business development team to understand portfolio objectives, key messages, and target audiences in order to inform content creation.
- Work closely with the Principal Partnerships Creative Studio leadership team and faculty stakeholders, in order to bring bold visions to life with engaging copy.
- Research strategic university initiatives and areas ripe for partnerships and/or donor investment to articulate areas of support and impact.
- Capture, shape, and synthesize information, statistics, and other supporting materials to enhance persuasive writing to inspire giving to strategic initiatives at Virginia Tech.
- Interview a variety of senior leaders, faculty, researchers, students, other members of the university community, and external stakeholders or subject matter experts with curiosity and focus to create fundraising materials.
- Translate highly technical information and academic jargon into clear, compelling, and grammatically correct content accessible to a wide variety of target audiences.
- Write, edit, copy edit, and proofread proposals or other materials in support of fundraising objectives.
- Collaborate with graphic designers, project managers, fundraisers, and other colleagues to produce content and leverage earned, owned, or paid media channels in support of fundraising objectives.
- Meet long-term and short-term deadlines, which sometimes shift on quick notice as opportunities emerge.
- Integrate visuals and statistics with words through print pieces, as well as dynamic websites, blogging, vlogging, and other electronic materials, in support of strategic fundraising objectives.
Required Qualifications Master's degree in a writing-intensive field such as journalism, English, creative writing, or marketing; or Bachelor's degree with experience equating to an advanced degree.
Progressive experience in communications, marketing, or related creative field(s).
Demonstrated experience in persuasive writing and integrating words and visuals through marketing materials, such as featured stories, scripts, advertorial copy, presentations, or proposal writing.
Solid knowledge of AP, Chicago, MLA, or other widely recognized writing style.
Strong portfolio of past work, consisting of five samples to be submitted along with initial application materials.
Preferred Qualifications Experience with fundraising writing for higher education or another nonprofit sector.
Experience interacting with major donors, key volunteers, and external stakeholders of an organization.
Experience working in a web content management system.
Experience collaborating with creatives to integrate text and visuals for robust, complementary design.
Experience working in PowerPoint, Photoshop, and InDesign.
Experience writing gift or grant proposals for corporations, corporate foundations, or individual/family foundations.
Pay Band {lPayScaleID}
Appointment Type Regular
Salary Information Review Date 11/16/2024
Additional Information The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact
Advancement HR at during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event
Advertised: October 31, 2024
Applications close:
Job Tags
Temporary work, Shift work,