Associate Writer, Principal Gifts
Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) supports Johns Hopkins' focus on research, teaching, and patient care, and its role as a national and global leader in higher education. We create and foster enduring relationships that result in advocacy and philanthropic support for Johns Hopkins University and Medicine-strengthening the institution through partnerships with donors, alumni, volunteer leaders, faculty, students, staff, and patients.
Johns Hopkins University supports a flexible work model with includes four different work modalities. This work has a hybrid work arrangement. The manager will confirm the team's core onsite days where the majority/ all team members will work in the office. Employees who travel on University business can count those days towards their onsite days.
The Office of Principal Gifts (OPG) is part of the highly successful Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) division, supporting the fundraising and engagement activities of Johns Hopkins University and Medicine. Our fast-paced team plays a critical role in securing gifts that are truly transformational for Johns Hopkins.
The Associate Writer, Principal Gifts will report directly to the Sr. Writer of Principal Gifts. He/she will work in association with DAR leadership and colleagues across the institution to build philanthropic support that results in principal-level ($5 million +) gifts. Written materials in support of principal gifts philanthropy include, but are not limited to: proposals, briefings, and correspondence for the president, provost, and other high-level officials within the university.
Key responsibilities:
Develops and writes briefings to prepare the president, provost, and university leadership for principal gift-level meetings and stewardship events (40%):
- Analyzes and synthesizes significant amounts of information from development officers, research team members, and other sources
- For individual meetings, writes meeting objectives and strategic discussion points based on conversations with all stakeholders
- Performs independent research as needed
- Follows up with the appropriate institutional leaders and their staffs, as well as faculty members and/or development officers, to ensure all details and materials needed are readily available in an appropriate amount of time prior to donor visits and events
Drafts correspondence for president, provost, and other university leadership in follow up to meetings/communication, to acknowledge gifts, and to recognize important milestones (25%):
- Composes and edits acknowledgements letters as well as other correspondence, for the president's signature of gifts of $1 million and above or by special requests for acknowledgment
- Reviews selected acknowledgment letters generated by the Office of Stewardship and Donor Engagement (SDE)
- Initiates and composes correspondence for the president of Johns Hopkins University that help strengthen and sustain the institutions' most important donor relationships
- Acts as the OPG manager of and liaison for the correspondence tracking system, as automated system used by SDE, Principal Gifts, and the Office of the President to follow correspondence through delivery
Performs research and creation of materials for large-scale projects/proposals in the early planning stages and as the projects/proposals develop (from programmatic center to facilities) under the direction of the Sr. Writer (20%):
- Requires the utmost discretion and diplomacy in interacting with high-level administrators and faculty members throughout the institution and the ability to build strong working relationships
Provides training and support to key staff and looks for opportunities to increase the efficiency of the briefing process (10%):
- Backs up the Sr. Writer on assigning briefings and managing schedule
- Participate in training on the briefings process for division fundraising teams
Perform other duties as assigned (5%)
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree.
- Two years related experience. Writing samples may be requested during the selection process.
- Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond HS Diploma/Graduation Equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge and proficiency in fundraising processes with the ability to resolve complex problems
- 3-5+ years experience in a related field, such as English or communications
- Experience in higher education and/or health writing
- Graphic design experience
- Demonstrated excellence in writing, editing, and analytical skills
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and problem solve, be adaptable to changing priorities
- Ability to organize a large amounts of information and write concisely and accurately within a limited time frame
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office. possess computer literacy skills
Classified Title: Writer
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Associate Writer, Principal Gifts
Role/Level/Range: ATP/03/PB
Starting Salary Range: Minimum: $46,200 - Maximum: $80,799 (targeted salary: $74,500; commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Mount Washington Campus
Department name: 10001648-Principal and Leadership Gifts
Personnel area: University Administration