Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is hiring a Senior Development Writer to join our team. This position will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission by leading the creation and execution of innovative and strategic donor communication efforts. This position will be responsible for developing a donor communications strategy, persuasive content and pieces that articulate the impact of philanthropy and our organizational goals to engage donors and prospects. The Senior Development Writer will lead our storytelling to enhance donor understanding and support, crafting messages that connect emotionally and intellectually with diverse audiences. 

This role will be responsible for creating and managing a vibrant donor communications program, integrated with the organization’s overall marketing and communication strategies. This role will identify, plan, and implement storytelling strategies, and will write, edit, and design a variety of materials, including principal gift solicitations, donor reports, fact sheets, annual reports, website copy, acknowledgment letters, event talking points, and other collateral. This role will be a senior position designed for a flexible, dynamic individual who is adept at identifying unique and engaging story ideas and managing complex projects under tight deadlines. Additionally the Senior Development Writer will be skilled in both independent and collaborative work settings, and committed to leading communication strategies to impact change and drive philanthropy.

About Western Resource Advocates

WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. We respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity.

Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decision makers accountable. This on the ground work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.

Location

This position may work remotely in our seven-state region, in one of our six offices, or a hybrid of the two. Our seven-state region includes Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. WRA has offices located in Boulder, CO; Carson City, NV; Denver, CO; Phoenix, AZ; Salt Lake City, UT; and Santa Fe, NM. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

DONOR ENGAGEMENT

• Work with the Development Management Team and other senior WRA staff to identify and articulate unique areas of work for stories and giving opportunities.
• Develop and execute sophisticated creative and strategic communications to engage prospects and donors in advancing WRA’s mission.
• Use content and communications to make connections, build relationships, and raise critical funding.
• Develop compelling solicitations and pitches for strategic initiatives for leadership gifts.
• Write and edit complex solicitation proposals for prospects and donors.

RESEARCH & CONTENT CREATION

• Demonstrated ability to identify compelling stories ideas and bring them to life in accordance with the organization’s brand and messaging standards.
• Research, write, and edit various print and digital materials, including case statements, gift proposals, impact statements, presentations, brochures, feature stories, donor profiles, solicitation and stewardship letters, speeches and other donor communication materials as needed. 
• Identify and develop relevant information and stories with the ability to translate technical information for a variety of audiences, an aptitude for creating multiple types of content, and a talent for researching and writing compelling content to be shared with donors and prospects.
• Independently incorporate changes, comments, and critiques from multiple reviewers using exceptional writing and editing skills. 
• Conduct interviews with internal stakeholders to gather and craft informative and accurate materials.
• Identify topics with visual and audio elements to create stories that exploit those qualities for use in videos, podcasts, infographics, slideshows, and other media as appropriate. 

STRATEGY & COLLABORATION

• Create and execute a strategy that connects donor communications to achieving broad fundraising goals. 
• Develop content in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications team to ensure consistency with theme, brand, design, and content.
• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications department to highlight WRA’s work, create a high-profile presence, and reach new donor audiences.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Flexible and deadline-driven, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Collaborate as needed to produce print, online, and video collateral and assist in writing and editing reports and related materials for other donor audiences as assigned. 
• Develop and manage a calendar of forward-looking donor communications to ensure a pipeline of relevant and timely content for key donor audiences. 
• Manage editorial projects from conception to completion, including brainstorming ideas, research, setting and meeting deadlines, getting feedback, making revisions, proofreading, and copy editing.

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Some travel is required.

Salary And Benefits

The salary range is $65,000-$90,000 annually, salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. WRA’s excellent benefits package includes a 401(k)-retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA. Annually, staff receive seventeen days paid vacation leave, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, twelve paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. Employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave, and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Colorado staff receive an RTD EcoPass. Position is full-time exempt.

Deadline To Apply: Open Until Filled with priority review beginning on Monday, July 22, 2024.

Diversity and inclusion are a critical component of our business strategy, mission and vision. We welcome candidates from an array of backgrounds and experiences to join our team. Learn more about our commitment here: https://wraoldsite.wpengine.com/#commitment-to-diversity.

Western Resource Advocates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.

Apply To Be WRA’s Senior Development Writer!

Thank you for your interest in the Senior Development Writer position with Western Resource Advocates. You will need to upload the following in PDF format:

• Cover letter describing your relevant qualifications and the reason for your interest in WRA and this position
• Resume
• Up to two writing samples from the following list: case statement, gift proposal, donor presentation, brochure, feature story from a donor-focused publication, donor profile, solicitation letter, or donor stewardship letter/email

Please direct any questions about this position or application process to hiring@westernresources.org.

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QUALIFCATIONS & COMPENTENCIES

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position, will be considered.  For example, the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities would include:

• At least 7 years as a writer and content creator in fundraising, nonprofit, public relations, or related field.
• Experience creating, planning, and implementing communication strategies.
• Experience developing writing compelling and clear communications for diverse audiences.
• Knowledge and application of current and evolving trends in major-gift fundraising and nonprofit marketing 
• Highly detail-oriented with excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent writing, editorial, and communications skills, including the ability to prepare materials for different audiences and purposes.
• Demonstrated experience in advanced fundraising, journalism, and/or programmatic writing.
• Experience researching, analyzing, interpreting, and compiling technical information from divergent sources, and translating that information for different audiences.
• Superior research, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Experience coordinating team members across departments, including creating and meeting deadlines and keeping team members on schedule.
• Experience with visual design concepts and best practices.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.
• Experience working with project management tools such as Asana.
• Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information.

Careers at WRA - Western Resource Advocates