Writer, Development Communications and Proposals - #260831

Description

Department: BrandComm

Reports to: Content Director, Marketing + Brand Communications

FLSA Status: Exempt

The anticipated salary for this position starts at $68,200. The final pay will be determined based on several factors, including qualifications, experience, education, and years within the job or industry, with a strong emphasis on maintaining internal equity.

Who We Are And What We’re About

KU Endowment is an independent, nonprofit organization and the official fundraising foundation for the University of Kansas. We partner with donors in providing philanthropic support to build a greater KU.

As an employee of KU Endowment, you’ll witness firsthand the power of our donors’ generosity. You will join a talented and fun group of people who are inspired to help KU through the support of loyal alumni and friends. This support fuels excellence, enabling students and faculty to develop innovative programs and research that distinguish the university. We connect the philanthropic passions of donors with the needs of students, faculty and programs – and everyone benefits.

People are engaged. Purpose is ignited. Lives are changed.

What We Are Looking For

You create narratives that forge connections, uniting people to their passions in ways that highlight emotion while showcasing purpose and impact. This full-time professional position in Marketing + Brand Communication (BrandComm) collaborates to produce communications and marketing materials that excite and inspire donors, prospects and corporate partners. The proposals writer works closely with development staff on multiple campuses to write and edit major-gift proposals and other solicitation materials in support of development strategies for the University of Kansas.

This role doesn’t just play one note — it contributes to the entire score of BrandComm. You’ll produce stories and other content that align with KU brand strategy while advancing the mission of KU Endowment: Building a greater KU through philanthropy. You’ll have the opportunity to interview donors, alumni, faculty, students and friends to create compelling content that highlights the power of philanthropy at KU — including stories and materials for magazine partnerships, donor stewardship, videos and events.

You’ll report to the Content Director and collaborate closely with colleagues across the organization to ensure every piece of writing aligns with campaign strategy, brand tone and our shared vision for a stronger KU.

The individual in this position is expected to embrace KU Endowment’s stated core values – collaboration, curiosity, empowerment, and excellence – and demonstrate support for them through professional interactions and activities.

Hybrid Work Environment

Following the initial training period, this position offers a hybrid work schedule, with the flexibility to work remotely for part of the week. However, the role requires multiple days per week on-site at our Lawrence, KS office to ensure effective collaboration, team engagement, and alignment with organizational goals.

What’s a typical day look like?

Deliver and Track Impactful Proposals

• Develop a strategic, creative voice for proposal packages that cultivate, secure and steward funding for key priorities in partnership with development staff. Writes, edits, formats and organizes major gift proposals, donor presentations, giving opportunities and impact reports.
• Interview donors, deans and development staff to craft narratives for proposals and other content.
• Conduct confidential research into the background of donors and award recipients and into the history of KU Endowment funds.
• Organize proposal requests via online intake form and project management platform Asana.
• Provide resources and support for staff in producing major-gift proposals, giving opportunities and impact reports.
• Write and maintain materials from which proposals and compelling solicitations can be assembled.
• Maintain electronic files of major gift proposals, giving opportunities and impact reports and track proposal outcomes/results.
  
  

Create and Support Philanthropic Communications Across Channels

• Contribute content for publications and assist in developing and editing appeals and other written materials, including feature stories, as assigned.
• Serve as the beat writer for the scholarships development team and collaborate to create stories that engage audiences and motivate donors and prospects.
• Provide editorial support to all internal KU Endowment departments.
  
  

Be Part of a Collaborative Communications Team

• Contribute to story leads and concepts gleaned from proposal discovery, research and writing
• Maintain story budgets for magazine content and campaign website story ideas.
• Write other published content and edit copy written by other writers, as assigned.
• Mentor less-experienced staff members and student employees.
• Regular and reliable attendance is essential for this position.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.
  
  

You’ll Be Successful If…

• You Write with Purpose and Persuasion. You balance narrative flair with clarity and structure, always keeping your audience in mind after conducting thorough research.
• You’re Skilled at Uncovering Connections. You understand how to write with intent, connecting donors with the brand, the impact and the fundraising goals.
• You’re Collaborative. You thrive in a team environment and bring a positive, can-do spirit to every project.
• You Are Passionate about KU. You believe in the mission of public education and the transformational power of philanthropy and can connect the dots that inspire donors to be part of that mission.
  
  

What’s Required To Be Considered

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, English or a related field
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant writing, reporting or editorial experience
• Strong portfolio of published feature stories, donor profiles or editorial content
• Experience with proposal or grant writing highly preferred
  
  

What separates the best from the rest?

• Exceptional writing, interviewing and editing skills
• Proficiency in AP style and editorial best practices
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Comfort working in a deadline-driven, team-oriented environment
• Ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships inside and outside KU Endowment.
• Ability to adapt to new procedures and technology.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• A valid driver’s license.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to travel between multiple locations for training, donor meetings, networking, events and/or work-related activities.
• Must be able to respond quickly and effectively to directions and safety hazards.
• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office productivity machinery such as computers, keyboards and a mouse, laptops, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to move files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.
• The ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• The person in this position frequently communicates with donors, colleagues, students, and general public. Must be able to communicate with others effectively.
• Physical effort/lifting is limited - up to 10 pounds
• Light travel required on occasion.
  
  

We’ve Got You Covered

KU Endowment offers a competitive salary with an excellent benefit package including:

• 100% employer-paid pension plan
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) and Roth 401(k) matching program
• Section 125 flexible benefits
• Generous paid leave including holidays, personal and sick leave
• Volunteer and community engagement opportunities
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life, AD&D, short- and long-term disability insurance
• Legal & ID Theft protection
• Critical Illness
• Accident and Hospital Indemnity insurance
• KU education assistance
• Free parking
  
  

Sounds good, right? What’s next?

Please include your resume, cover letter, and writing samples when applying for this position on our website at https://www.kuendowment.org/careers.

In order to evaluate writing skill, tone and style, please submit 3-4 recent writing samples (created or published within the last year) with your resume and application. Examples of acceptable samples include blog posts, news releases, articles, grants or other contributions. Samples should reflect your ability to research, report, organize content and communicate creatively and clearly to your readers. This attachment needs to be attached within the application under Upload Additional Files, next to Upload Cover Letter.

Questions Regarding This Vacancy May Be Addressed To

Emily Garcia

Sr. Human Resources Associate

KU Endowment

PO Box 928

Lawrence, KS 66044-0928

Email: [email protected]

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Because of the sensitive nature of KU Endowment business and the importance of our reputation with donors, KU Endowment conducts a comprehensive review of applicants. By submitting your application, you authorize us to conduct reference checks and a review of available public information. Employment is contingent upon background and reference checks that KU Endowment finds acceptable.