Summary

The Assistant Director of Philanthropic Communications is a writing position within the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs that imagines, creates and produces a variety of written communications materials to inspire donor support for Baylor College of Medicine. This includes writing cases for support, proposals, grants and writing for areas that support institutional giving priorities within the OAAA, such as corporate partnerships, alumni affairs and planned giving. The Assistant Director of Philanthropic Communications also writes for digital and print communication outreach materials of the OAAA, such as newsletters and web microsite. Working with the Senior Director of Philanthropic Communications, the Assistant Director of Philanthropic Communications helps support writing components of major projects with accuracy and efficiency – from conception to completion – by collaborating with communications colleagues, internal College subject-matter experts and constituents. This position reports to the Senior Director of Philanthropic Communications.

Internal title: Communications Associate; working title: Assistant Director of Philanthropic Communications

Job Duties

• Researches, writes and edits fundraising communications materials, employing storytelling and development-standard practices, including solicitations, newsletter articles, grateful patient stories, profiles, gift proposals, event collateral, donor presentations and other various print and digital communication.
• Supports process of submission of grant solicitations through online portals, as necessary, according to the funder’s specs, requirements and timeline.
• Assumes a writing beat portfolio of College divisions and departments along with other team writers, developing subject-matter expertise in assigned beat areas. 
• Serves as first-line proofer for fundraising materials for fact, grammar, punctuation, AP Style, tightness and storytelling clarity, and provides editorial suggestions on copy produced by colleagues. 
• Makes changes and edits accurately to existing pieces, often incorporating changes from multiple parties simultaneously.
• Collaborates in two weekly writing team meetings and other meetings, as appropriate, with other team members.
• Internalizes and evangelizes across the OAAA team brand, style and messaging guidelines with the rest of the writing team.
• Schedules, manages and conducts interviews with internal and external constituents, as appropriate, to effectively tell the College’s story.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Two years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of AP Style, grammar, punctuation and storytelling techniques.
• Ability to write and edit compelling, clear and accurate content for diverse audiences.
• Strong interview skills and an ability to easily interact with diverse subjects.
• Ability to adapt writing style (voice, length and tone, for example) to satisfy different objectives.
• Skilled in and ability to research content and generate effective copy through interviews, internet resources