Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.
We are currently seeking to hire a Development Writer. Reporting to the Associate Director, Communications, you will work 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. The selected candidate will serve 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 role currently has a hybrid work arrangement, with a minimum of two days per week in the office.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Research, conceptualize and write 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
- Provide guidance to clients in the identification and development of communications plans
- Produce speeches, brochures, articles, features, press releases, marketing collateral, newsletters, web pages and/or other types of materials
- Edit copy for accuracy, effectiveness and Rice style
- Write and edit marketing and promotional copy and communications on behalf of university leaders
- Help plan, develop, and implement creative strategies for fundraising initiatives
- Write case prospectuses and proposals for major gifts and principal gifts
- Compose presidential letters acknowledging recent gifts to Rice
- Draft fundraising materials for schools and departments
- Make frequent contact with university staff, faculty, and administrators while also working with Rice volunteers, donors and outside vendors
- Spend several hours per day using a computer and/or in strategy or collaborative project meetings
- Perform all other duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s Degree in English, liberal arts, journalism or a related field (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)
- Three years of related professional writing experience
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills
- Intermediate knowledge of multiple media formats
- Intermediate knowledge of AP style
- Listening skills
- Intermediate Microsoft Office skills
- Four or more years of professional writing and editing experience is preferred
- Experience writing for development at an institution of higher education or in writing marketing collateral, brochures, correspondence or newsletters for various purposes is preferred
- Experience working with clients and managing customer relationships (includes faculty, deans and fundraisers)
- Experience working in a nonprofit fundraising campaign or initiative
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.