Senior Writer, Strategic Writing

Date Posted: 01/22/2025
Req ID: 41393
Faculty/Division: VP - Division of University Advancement
Department: Advancement Communications & Marketing
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: #

Description:

About us:

The Division of University Advancement (DUA) aims to sustain and enhance the University of Toronto’s academic mission, leadership, and worldwide impact, by engaging alumni and private sector constituents meaningfully in the mission of the University, building mutually beneficial relationships of increasing value and satisfaction over time.

Through our current Defy Gravity campaign, the team supports U of T’s commitment to inclusive excellence – the idea that every member of our community should thrive in an environment of belonging – and helps the University bring together top minds from every conceivable background to create a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable world. In this ecosystem, there is an emphasis on collaboration, diplomacy, teamwork and mission focus as the Division of University Advancement supports our Faculties, Campuses and Divisions as a shared service.

Your opportunity:

Serving as part of the Strategic Writing team within Advancement Communications and Marketing, the Senior Writer, Strategic Writing will provide high-quality writing and editing for, and strategic communications advice to, the University's Division of Advancement.

Under the general direction of the Director of Strategic Writing, the incumbent will be responsible for researching, developing and producing major gift proposals, cases for support, backgrounders, campaign collateral and other strategic communications targeted to alumni and prospective donors.

Working closely with colleagues in Advancement and other divisions across the University, the Senior Writer, Strategic Writing will craft coherent, credible and motivating documents to advance the University’s highest priorities and aspirations. Developing these texts will involve extensive consultations with academic, development and volunteer stakeholders, highly original content research, drafting of creative briefs and outlines, as well as writing and design coordination. The writer will work closely with colleagues in the Advancement Communications and Marketing team to drive multiple projects forward from inception to final delivery, often with competing deadlines.

In this role, you will play a vital role in fulfilling our commitment to delivering high-quality writing, editing and communications services to the University.

Your responsibilities will include:

1. Developing communication plans to support University fundraising campaigns and mission
2. Researching and writing stewardship reports, cultivation material and fundraising proposals
3. Writing targeted communications to support fundraising objectives
4. Writing project-specific proposals and briefings related to fundraising campaigns
5. Editing content for style and tone
6. Developing content for marketing and/or promotional materials
7. Advising on communication strategies to engage and attract major donor prospects

Essential Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's Degree (communications, journalism, English, etc); or an equivalent combination of experience in communications.
2. Minimum of six (6) or more years of related experience in the area of advancement communication.
3. Superior writing ability is an essential requirement. The successful candidate will have demonstrated, through a portfolio of samples, professional-level writing ability with respect to style, organization and structure, rhetoric, appropriateness to subject, and breadth of subject matter.
4. Familiarity with proposal, case development and campaign communications.
5. Strong verbal communication skills and ability to manage relationships with internal and external partners.
6. Knowledge of university environments preferred and understanding of academic community.
7. Project management skills.
8. Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Mac or PC-based) is required. Broad familiarity with web-based research tools for content development is also essential. Design capability and familiarity with design software.
9. Ability to conduct focused interviews with constituents in developing content.
10. Ability to process various inputs and data into coherent, persuasive narratives.
11. Ability to craft coherent narratives based on sometimes widely divergent perspectives.
12. Experience writing about topics in engineering, science and technology preferred.

To be successful in this role you will be:

1. Diplomatic
2. Intuitive
3. Perceptive
4. Resourceful

Closing Date: 02/04/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:

USW Pay Band 17 -- $107,820. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $137,883. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
Recruiter: Fiona Chan

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.