Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director, Communications, the Development Writer works collaboratively with a team of writers, designers, communications professionals and fundraising staff to develop persuasive case prospectuses and proposals, craft presidential correspondence, interview stakeholders and donors, write compelling stories and marketing content and complete other communication projects as time allows. Finally, the Development Writer serves as a point person for creative decisions on select assignments, which may include leading brainstorming sessions with division partners, pitching concepts, organizing planning sessions and working collaboratively on strategy and goals.

This position currently has a hybrid work arrangement, with a minimum of two days per week in the office.

The ideal candidate will be a critical thinker, avid researcher and excellent writer with the ability to understand the needs of a particular audience and customize the messaging appropriately.

Essential Functions

• Researches, conceptualizes and writes compelling copy for informational, promotional and public relations projects to support the initiatives and objectives of the university or a department, program, division or school
• Provides guidance to clients in the identification and development of communications plans
• Produces speeches, brochures, articles, features, press releases, marketing collateral, newsletters, web pages and/or other types of materials
• Edits copy for accuracy, effectiveness and Rice style
• Writes and edits marketing and promotional copy and communications on behalf of university leaders
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions/Information

• Helps plan, develop, and implement creative strategies for fundraising initiatives
• Writes case prospectuses and proposals for major gifts and principal gifts
• Composes presidential letters acknowledging recent gifts to Rice
• Drafts fundraising materials for schools and departments
• Has frequent contact with university staff, faculty, and administrators while also working with Rice volunteers, donors and outside vendors
• Spends many hours per day using a computer and/or in strategy or collaborative project meetings

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in English, liberal arts, journalism or a related field
• Three years of related professional writing experience
• Skills Required
  • Advanced written and verbal communication skills
  • Intermediate knowledge of multiple media formats
  • Intermediate knowledge of AP style
  • Listening skills
  • Intermediate Microsoft Office skills

Substitutions

• In lieu of Bachelor's Degree in English, liberal arts, or journalism, a bachelor's degree in any field with a total of five years of professional writing experience would be accepted
• No substitutions for experience allowed

Preferred Qualifications

• Education and Experience
  • Four or more years of professional writing and editing experience
  • Experience writing for development at an institution of higher education or in writing marketing collateral, brochures, correspondence or newsletters for various purposes
  • Experience working with clients and managing customer relationships (includes faculty, deans and fundraisers)
  • Experience working in a nonprofit fundraising campaign or initiative

Rice University HR | Benefits

https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values

Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Faculty and staff are expected (but not required) to have completed a full vaccination series for COVID-19 (currently defined as full course COVID-19 Vaccine (typically two shots of a WHO-approved COVID-19 Vaccine or one J&J) and a COVID-19 booster. Rice does not require documentation for COVID 19 vaccination at this time for faculty and staff. More information can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies