Reporting to the director of communications (Marketing and Communications division) and with dual supervision from the director of advancement communications (Advancement Division), the communications and advancement writer/associate editor will serve in a pivotal and multi-faceted role to provide key writing and research services to enhance Wheaton’s image as a leading liberal arts college and advance the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of the college’s philanthropic community, maximizing communication efforts to current and prospective supporters.
Editorial and news content
Working under the direction of the director of communications and magazine editor (Marketing and Communications Division), the communications and advancement writer/associate editor will develop engaging, educational and emotive communications, with a particular emphasis on writing journalistic news and feature stories for the website, magazine and other promotional publications. The role will also manage the production process for publishing the Class Notes and In Memoriam sections of Wheaton magazine, and will curate and distribute email newsletters.
Advancement communications
This position also supports the director of advancement communications (Advancement Division) to implement and manage a comprehensive communication plan that includes:
1) identifying and promoting institutional and academic priorities appropriate for external funding;
2) identifying and expanding the base of potential sources to fund priorities;
3) providing for the cultivation, solicitation and ongoing stewardship of prospects and donors; and
4) supporting a culture of increased proposal presentations and grant writing.
The role will interface with constituents across the entire campus spectrum, including academic departments, the Office of the Provost, Office of the President, and the Division of Finance. The role will interface with alumni and parent supporters, as well as student recipients of support.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conceive, research and write journalistic stories in print for Wheaton magazine and other publications, as well as digitally, that tell brand, benefactor and beneficiary stories. Research and write gift news stories/press releases that may be featured in publications, correspondence, email newsletters, event remarks and on the college’s blog. (35%)
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Write high-impact proposals and reports geared toward major gift donors and prospects. Develop collateral material that presents the case to support college funding priorities. Provide original drafts and editorial services for outward-facing messaging to donor and prospects segments. (30%)
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Manage the production process for publication of the Class Notes and In Memoriam sections of Wheaton magazine. This includes collecting written content and images, writing stories, editing, fact checking, proofreading, maintaining strong relationships with volunteer Class Notes writers and collaborating with the marketing coordinator for name checks and content preparation. (20%)
- In service of the Corporate and Foundation Relations/Sponsored Research team, faculty and members of the Office of the Provost, contribute to writing grant proposals and letters of inquiry with priorities and giving guidelines of grant-making organizations. Meet proposal and stewardship submission deadlines. Use fundraising databases and web-based information to identify and evaluate potential funding sources (private foundations, corporations, government contracts) for Wheaton College projects and programs. (15%)
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This position is hybrid and will require days on campus.
For the required “Additional Documents” please submit five different journalistic writing samples. Please include links to the publications whenever possible.