Development Senior Writer, Strategic Giving

The Ocean Conservancy; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

The Ocean Conservancy is seeking a Development Senior Writer, Strategic Giving in Washington, DC (hybrid). You will lead proposal writing for Major and Principal Gifts and craft donor communications that translate policy and program details into compelling narratives.

Reporting to the VP of Major and Planned Giving, you will collaborate across departments to research, write and edit materials, ensuring timely, persuasive content that supports Ocean Conservancy’s conservation priorities and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of related professional writing experience.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling for donor audiences.
• Ability to translate complex policy into persuasive narratives.
• Expert editorial standards and publication guidelines.
• Excellent research and fact-checking abilities.
• Collaborative, cross‑functional partner with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Plan, write and edit fundraising proposals and donor communications.
• Lead content development for stewardship reporting and donor engagement.
• Create vision pieces and case for support aligned with funding priorities.
• Develop processes for proposal and stewardship writing and delivery.
• Collaborate with Development leadership to craft timely donor talking points.
• Partner with Strategic Communications to achieve shared goals.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Copywriting

Editorial standards

Research skills

Collaboration

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Development Senior Writer, Strategic Giving

DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: Development

REPORTS TO: Vice President of Major and Planned Giving

STATUS: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt

LOCATION: Washington, DC preferred (hybrid); other states considered: AK, CA, FL, MD, OR, TX, WA, WV or VA

ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY

For more than 50 years, Ocean Conservancy (OC) has delivered effective, evidence-based solutions for the ocean and all who depend on it. Today, we continue to unite science, people and policy to protect our ocean from the greatest challenges it faces: climate change, plastic pollution and biodiversity loss. We are a 501(C)3 headquartered in Washington, D.C. that inspires a worldwide network of partners, advocates and supporters through our comprehensive and clear-eyed approach to ocean conservation. Together, we are securing a healthy ocean and a thriving planet, forever and for everyone.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Development Writer is the lead philanthropy writer for Ocean Conservancy, primarily focused on proposal writing for Major and Principal Gifts. The incumbent will plan, write and edit fundraising proposals and reports for Ocean Conservancy's highest-level donors, as well as lead the process for and write other donor communications, including vision statements and development-related talking points. This individual will produce persuasive, compelling and powerful copy, with a superior ability to translate complex policy approaches, both state and federal, as well as programmatic and scientific information into impactful narratives for a wide variety of audiences. We are looking for an outstanding candidate who leads through influence with intelligence, optimism, clarity, kindness and internal partnership. This individual is not only an experienced, adaptable and reliable proposal writer, but also one who navigates tight deadlines with a calm and thoughtful approach.

Reporting to the Vice President of Major and Planned Giving, this role requires a person who possesses exceptional ease in developing collaborative and highly functional working relationships across all departments of an organization. This person will be responsible for researching concepts while partnering closely with programmatic staff and conservation leadership to create the most compelling donor facing content. The successful candidate will be the strongest of collaborators with diverse stakeholders across and at every level of the organization and have a passion for ocean conservation.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, write and edit fundraising proposals and other communications for donors, with a focus on Major and Principal Gifts.
• Lead content development and strategies for stewardship reporting and donor engagement, including individualized reports, general support and broader impact reports, and other creative touchpoints like newsletters, donor profiles, impact stories and thank-you messages.
• Write vision pieces for transformational concepts, new initiatives and existing programs, as well as foundational content like a case for support, building out a robust suite of collateral aligned with the organization's top funding priorities.
• Create processes for proposal and stewardship writing and delivery.
• Work in close concert with Development leadership to craft compelling and timely donor communications and talking points.
• Function as a true partner to Strategic Communications leadership, working in tandem toward shared goals.

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• 10+ years of directly related work experience as a professional writer in a related field.
• Expert knowledge of writing fundamentals, grammar, syntax, style and punctuation.
• Advanced skills to write clear, engaging and compelling copy in various styles and translate technical content into persuasive donor-facing language.
• Expert knowledge of editorial style and publication guidelines.
• Expert research and fact verification skills.
• Expert interpersonal communication skills, including active listening and collaboration.
• Expert analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Passion for our ocean.

EDUCATION/TRAINING

Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

COMPENSATION

Ocean Conservancy is committed to fair pay practices and posts expected salary ranges for each of its positions. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate's specialty skills, years of experience, location, and unique background. The expected starting salary range for this role is $110,000 - $120,000 annually. We would welcome the opportunity to connect with potential candidates whose salary requirements may be outside of the expected range.

HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT

Ocean Conservancy embraces a hybrid work environment, which allows our staff the flexibility to work virtually and in-person while building strong connections across the institution.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Ocean Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

We encourage applicants who have a diverse level and range of relevant skills and experiences to apply. A 100% match is not required. We want to support employees' career growth and in return, our employees help Ocean Conservancy grow into a stronger, more inclusive institution.