Development Writer

Nashville Public Radio; New York (NY); On-site; USD 76,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy in New York seeks a Development Writer to lead the development and production of donor communications for major gifts and to ghost write for members of the division’s executive team. You will collaborate with fundraisers, conservation and finance teams to craft letters of intent, proposals, and impact reports supporting NY and global priorities.

Responsibilities include writing and editing materials, maintaining messaging consistency with marketing, and guiding an annual

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years related experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience in donor communications or related fields such as journalism or marketing communications.
• Experience writing newsletters, annual reports, donor solicitations or proposals.
• Experience coordinating with multiple teams and meeting tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Write, edit, and design proposals and donor communications for $100,000+ donors and smaller gifts.
• Ghost write for executive team members as needed.
• Lead multiple communication initiatives and manage concurrent projects.
• Interpret budgets and financial reports across project, program, state, and global levels.
• Collaborate with fundraisers, finance, conservation, and vendors to ensure messaging consistency.

Skills

Donor communications

Editing/writing

Stakeholder collaboration

Ghostwriting

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together

The Development Writer (DW) is primarily responsible for leading the development and production of external facing communications materials for The Nature Conservancy in NY’s individual, foundation, and corporate major and principal gifts donors, and writing and editing materials in support of the organization’s and division’s conservation priorities. The DW will also be responsible for ghost writing for members of the division’s executive team

We’re Looking For You

The Development Writer is primarily responsible for writing and editing a variety of communications materials to engage, solicit and steward individual and institutional donors with the capacity to give at the $100,000+ level. The DW collaborates with fundraisers, conservation, program, and finance teams to craft successful letters of intent, fundraising proposals and impact reports for the Conservancy’s work in the NY Division and globally. They may provide editorial advice and expertise to team members around donor communications. They will support the donor communications and donor messaging needs of Division conservation leads, as requested. The DW will serve as a ghost writer for members of the division’s executive team.

The DW helps achieve the strategic priorities of New York development communications by collaborating closely with other team members and by helping to craft and implement an annual communication strategy. They write, edit, design, and produce donor communications (often in collaboration with the NY Marketing team). Products may include donor thank you letters and templates, event invitations, outreach emails, presentations, and proposal/report templates.

The DW works in close cooperation with any or all of the following members of the NY Division; development and conservation teams, and division leadership, legal and finance, individual donors and foundation program officers, freelance writers and designers, vendors and others, as needed.

The DW will keep up-to-date on market trends, best practices, and knowledge of centrally produced donor communications tools and practices and global campaign resources, and applies that knowledge to the organization’s fundraising goals. They are responsible for maintaining close relationships with teams in marketing and conservation to ensure consistency of messaging and materials and to foster greater organizational collaboration.

Responsibilities & Scope

• Act independently within broad program goals to prioritize tasks in the absence of specific instructions and exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems.
• Responsible for writing, editing, and designing proposals and other materials for donors giving at the $100,000+ level as well as proposals and letters for smaller donors.
• Manage multiple projects at the same time and serve as team lead on assigned communication initiatives.
• Accurately interpret and represent budgets and financial reports at the project, program, state, and global levels.
• Ghost write as needed for members of the executive team.
• Use a sophisticated understanding of TNC strategies, programs, partnerships and funding needs to inform work.
• Build relationships with fundraisers, finance, and conservation staff, and may engage directly with external partners and funders.
• Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information.
• Does not supervise any staff but may take a leadership role in interdepartmental teams to coordinate the work of peers.
• Ensure compliance with TNC policies and procedures, and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements.
• Work within scope of program’s strategic goals.
• Travel and work overtime as needed.
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
• Work is diversified and may not always fall under established practices and guidelines.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years related experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience, coursework or other training in principles and practices of donor communications or related fields, such as journalism or marketing communications.
• Experience writing one of the following: newsletter, magazine, annual report, website articles/stories, donor solicitations, funding proposals or reports, campaign brochures, fact sheets, presentations, or equivalent.
• Experience working across teams, and various stakeholders, to gather and synthesize information, and project manage under tight deadlines.

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience are appreciated.
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills.
• Demonstrated ability to conceive and write creatively for a wide variety of audiences.
• Experience translating scientific concepts into donor-friendly language.
• Proficiency with document management, strong organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Knowledge and application of current and evolving trends in major gift fundraising and working with institutional funders.
• Expert knowledge of current and evolving communications trends, preferably in a nonprofit environment.
• Proficient in interpreting guidelines to achieve desired results
• Basic graphic design and layup skills appreciated.
• Ability to organize time, manage diverse activities, and meet deadlines.
• Understanding of basic accounting practices
• Strong organization skills, accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks

Salary Information

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $75,500 – 91,000 annually. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. To quote a popular saying at TNC, "you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people."

What We Bring

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of the people we employ.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process.