Senior Writer

The Ohio State University; North Carolina; On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ohio State University’s External Affairs department is seeking a Senior Writer to develop persuasive donor-centered fundraising materials, proposals, cases for support, and impact reports for major gifts.

You will translate complex academic priorities into clear narratives, collaborate with development officers, and guide content from intake to final delivery while ensuring brand and accessibility standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, English, journalism or related field, or equivalent.
• Four (4) years of relevant professional writing/strategic communications experience.
• Must be able to demonstrate advanced research, writing and customer service skills.
• Must be able to demonstrate superior organizational, collaborative, editorial and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Plans, researches, writes and edits customized proposals and supporting materials for major and principal gift solicitations.
• Develops and maintains cases for support, proposal templates, one-page summaries and other foundational fundraising content.
• Translates complex academic, scientific and programmatic information into donor-facing narratives.
• Creates impact and stewardship communications, donor updates and stories of philanthropy.
• Interviews with senior leaders and development staff to gather content.

Skills

Advanced research

Excellent writing

Editorial skills

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Storytelling

Customer service

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, English, journalism or related field

Master’s degree in English, journalism, marketing, liberal arts, or related field

Job description

Job Title:

Senior Writer

Department:

External Affairs | Advancement | Strategy and Operations | Marketing Communications

Position Overview

The senior writer for proposals and impact communications develops persuasive, donor-centered fundraising materials and meaningful impact and stewardship communications for major and principal gift audiences. The role leads writing for proposals, cases for support, impact reports and other highly personalized communications that connect donor interests with Ohio State priorities and demonstrate the outcomes of philanthropy. The senior writer researches, plans, writes, edits, proofs and manages the review of philanthropic communications that support cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Serving as a content strategist and liaison for central/university Advancement, the writer translates complex academic and institutional priorities into clear, compelling narratives tailored to donor strategy, audience and stage of engagement.

As part of Advancement Marketing and Communications (AMC), the senior writer contributes to a proactive team that fosters excellence, collaboration, responsiveness, and flexibility. This role requires an adaptable, curious and strategic writer and editor who becomes an expert in utilizing The Advancement System constituent database and skilled in researching and leveraging AI tools. The senior writer will effectively partner with development officers and donor experience colleagues to translate raw data into compelling proposals and human-centered messages of gratitude. The senior writer is expected to demonstrate superior writing, research, organizational and interpersonal communication skills, to show initiative and motivation, to thrive in a fast-moving environment with nimbleness and critical thinking, and to bring creativity and sound judgment to problem-solving.

All members of External Affairs are part of creating a culture that inspires an exceptionally multifaceted and talented team and are expected to exhibit The Ohio State University’s Shared Values. The Office of External Affairs is committed to acting with kindness, respect, and integrity at all times and welcoming our colleagues’ ideas, voices, and perspectives, acknowledging that we are better together.

Duties and Responsibilities

80% - Establishes subject-matter expertise and serves as a strategic content partner to Advancement/development colleagues and university stakeholders. Plans, researches, writes and edits customized proposals and supporting materials for major and principal gift solicitations, aligning each narrative with donor interests, gift strategy, funding opportunities and anticipated outcomes. Develops and maintains cases for support, proposal templates, one-page summaries and other foundational fundraising content that can be adapted for colleges, units, priority initiatives and campaign needs. Translates complex academic, scientific and programmatic information into clear, persuasive and accessible donor-facing narratives while preserving accuracy, nuance and institutional voice. Creates impact and stewardship communications, including individualized impact reports, donor updates, stories of philanthropy, leadership correspondence and messages of gratitude, that demonstrate how gifts are used and the difference they make. Uses donor, gift and fund information from The Advancement System, approved research and partner-provided data to personalize communications and connect giving with people, programs, progress and outcomes. Interviews and collaborates with senior leaders, development officers, donor experience staff, deans, faculty, program leaders and marketing and communications partners to gather, verify and synthesize content. Shapes messaging and tone of writing to align with the target donor audience and develops compelling storytelling and calls to action across cultivation, solicitation and stewardship communications. Manages multiple complex assignments from intake through final delivery. Builds, tests and refines responsible AI-supported research and writing workflows while exercising editorial judgment, protecting confidential information and ensuring human review of final content. Serves as a consultative partner with development officers in determining the right format, timing and channel for delivery of fundraising messages and materials.

20% Provides surge support for high-priority acknowledgments and leadership correspondence during peak periods, coordinating with the lead acknowledgment writer and donor experience colleagues. Contributes to shared message libraries, proposal and case content inventories, stewardship resources and editorial practices that improve consistency, quality and efficiency across Advancement. Adheres to university style and brand standards, accessibility and inclusive-language practices, confidentiality requirements, and the preferences, voice and tone of university leaders. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, English, journalism or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Four (4) years of relevant experience in professional writing/strategic communications experience.
• Must be able to demonstrate advanced research, writing and customer service skills.
• Must be able to demonstrate superior organizational, collaborative, editorial and interpersonal skills.

Desired Qualifications (We're committed to building a team that reflects a variety of skills and experiences and encourage you to apply even if your experience does not align perfectly)

• Master’s degree in English, journalism, marketing, liberal arts, communication sciences or a related field
• Five (5) years of relevant experience
• Experience writing in a university setting
• Demonstrated superior writing, organizational, collaborative and interpersonal skills
• Experience with proposal/persuasive writing
• Experience with fundraising, donor relations or related experience

The Office of External Affairs is committed to providing tools and resources for you to learn our business, proprietary databases, university-specific processes, and advancement practices.

You Need to Know

Aside from the unparalleled benefits of working for The Ohio State University and working in the vibrant, smart, enjoyable, and growing city of Columbus, Ohio, this opportunity will provide exceptional rewards that arise from working for an institution doing worldwide life-changing teaching and research. Learn more here: Careers at Ohio State.

In accordance with the Disaster Preparedness and University State of Emergency Policy 6.17 this position has been designated as a standby position.

Additional Information:

To learn more about the Office of External Affairs, please visit Advancement Careers .

The budget for this position is up to $80,000.00. The offer for this position will be based on internal equity and the candidate’s qualifications.

Function: Marketing and Communications

Sub-function: Writing and Editing

Career Band: Individual Contributor - Specialized

Career Level: S3 Senior

Location:

Longaberger Alumni House (0022)

Position Type:

Regular

Scheduled Hours:

40

Shift:

First Shift

_ Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process. _

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.