Foundation Senior Specialist (Senior Development Writer)

Houston Methodist; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Methodist Foundation is seeking a Foundation Sr. Specialist, Sr. Development Writer to craft donor-centered content across proposals, stewardship reports, and recognition materials.

You will translate complex healthcare information into persuasive narratives in collaboration with Foundation leadership and subject matter experts. The role includes serving as a peer editor, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with the Houston Methodist brand across Foundation materials, while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5 years’ experience in development, communications, or related field, with 2 years in project management, coordination or event planning.
• Healthcare fundraising/development experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop donor-centered content including proposals, stewardship reports and donor communications.
• Edit content and ensure adherence to AP style and Houston Methodist brand voice.
• Lead and edit materials for diverse audiences and channels.
• Collaborate with Foundation leadership, physicians and researchers to translate complex information into clear narratives.

Skills

Editorial review

AP style knowledge

Effective communication

Project leadership

Multitasking

Leadership & presentation

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

MS Office Suite

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

The Foundation Sr. Specialist, Sr. Development Writer, is responsible for crafting compelling, donor-centered content that advances the Foundation’s philanthropic goals. This role produces a wide range of communications deliverables, including funding proposals, service line collateral, stewardship reports, donor recognition materials, executive correspondence and publication articles. Working closely with Foundation leadership, physicians, researchers and subject matter experts, the Foundation Sr. Specialist translates complex healthcare information into clear, persuasive narratives that demonstrate impact, strengthen donor relationships and support fundraising objectives. As an experienced communications professional, this role also serves as a peer editor and resource for colleagues, providing editorial review for content directed to diverse audiences and communication channels — ensuring accuracy, clarity and alignment with the Houston Methodist brand and voice across Foundation materials.

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree required

EXPERIENCE

• 5 years’ experience in development, communications, media relations, marketing, business or related field, two years of which must be in project management, coordination or event planning; may consider HM employee with four years' experience who demonstrates progressive responsibilities
• Experience in healthcare fundraising/development preferred

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Knowledge of editing and/or familiarity with the AP style guidelines
• Flexibility and responsiveness in performing multiple projects simultaneously. Skills; ability to prioritize tasks and follow-through to meet expectations of multiple constituencies
• Strong leadership, facilitation and presentation skills
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills with the ability to critically evaluate issues, options, and performance results, both quantitative and qualitatively
• Ability to successfully manage relationships among all levels of the organization, both internally and externally
• Highly motivated and able to work well as team player is critical; willing to accept responsibility and be held accountable for projects
• Ability to handle multiple priorities with good attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative to meet deadlines in a time-sensitive, fast paced environment with attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong personal work ethic, self-motivated and results-oriented
• Intermediate knowledge of MS Office Suite, including PowerPoint and Excel

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop relationships with Foundation and hospital staff, and when applicable, prospective donors/donors and key volunteers to ensure goals are met, including leading regular planning and debriefings to determine feedback and next action items.
• Proactively maintains familiarity with the work of clinical staff, physicians, and administration to successfully identify appropriate contacts for data collection.
• Utilizes effective and fluid communications with internal and external stakeholders to ensure collaboration and synergy.
• Effectively communicates project initiatives, timelines and change management activities.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Independently manages complex projects and coordinates with key stakeholders and others to ensure department timelines, deliverables and budgets are met. Utilizes technology resources to conduct research for assigned projects.
• Participates on internal committees and task forces as assigned, ensuring that critical objectives are clearly explained and action items are appropriately completed.
• Supports Foundation staff and activities through production of correspondence, documents, talking points, meeting agendas, presentations and reports, and, as needed, facilitating internal and external meetings and site visits.
• Works closely with fundraisers and other Foundation staff in support of strategic moves management for contributor/prospective contributor engagement.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Support management with analysis and performance metrics for use in assessments and identifying areas for improvement. Establishes methods to track event, project, and/or initiatives success and gathers feedback for future reference.
• Employs a proactive approach in the optimization of donor and department expectations by monitoring and improving the established workflow, using peer-to-peer accountability, and identifying solutions via collaboration. Adopts lean principles in driving process improvements. Role models situational awareness.
• Takes necessary steps to ensure resolution of information discrepancies that arise in fundraising database/customer relationship management (CRM) system and other Foundation systems. Assists with data clean up, data archiving and data analysis projects as appropriate.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.
• Submits invoices on time and tracks and adheres to budget for assigned projects, as applicable.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.
• Builds upon foundational knowledge of healthcare fundraising and seeks opportunities to strengthen skill set within assigned unit.
• Stays abreast of industry best practices and make recommendations for improvements.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: No
• Business professional: Yes
• Other (department approved): No

ON-CALL*

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**

**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree required

EXPERIENCE

• 5 years’ experience in development, communications, media relations, marketing, business or related field, two years of which must be in project management, coordination or event planning; may consider HM employee with four years' experience who demonstrates progressive responsibilities
• Experience in healthcare fundraising/development preferred