Position Description

University of Utah Health is seeking an experienced advancement communications professional to promote and directly solicit private support for strategic initiatives in the areas of education, medical research, and health care.

Reporting to the director of advancement communications, the senior proposal writer will work with renowned researchers, educators, and physicians in a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere with the goal of formulating and writing principal and major gift proposals, case statements, and other communications pieces designed to substantially increase philanthropic support.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a related area or equivalency and 4-6 years of experience in the field or in a related area.
• Responsibilities Essential Functions
• Research and write compelling proposals, reports and other individualized communications in support of University of Utah Health’s strategic initiatives, inspiring new or continued philanthropy at the highest level. Conduct research and independently incorporate changes, comments, and critiques using exceptional writing, and editing skills; exercise sound judgment with regard to strategy, appropriate points of emphasis, and persuasive impact. Identify and communicate risks associated with the proposal. Describe complex medical subject matter in clear, persuasive language and present concise rationales for philanthropy.
• Participate in proposal strategy, design, writing, and review sessions throughout the life of the proposal.
• Work with subject matter experts to prepare material for proposals, including interviewing experts and/or reviewing and revising text prepared by experts.
• Review proposal pieces and final text for clarity, consistency, and responsiveness.
• Maintain a clear understanding of all advancement and fundraising goals, strategies, and messages and articulate this information within the prescribed methods for doing so.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and keep a comprehensive plan of all work in progress. Analyze requests for assistance and meet proposal deadlines by establishing priorities and target dates for information gathering, writing, review, and approval; coordinate requirements with contributors; contribute proposal status information to review meetings.
• Ensure that sound editorial judgment, professional principles, and ethics are reflected in all work products.
• Prepare proposal presentation by evaluating text, graphics, and binding; coordinate printing.
• Maintain quality results by using templates; follow proposal-writing standards including readability, consistency, and tone.
• Obtain approvals by reviewing proposal with key providers and director of advancement communications.
• Develop proposals by assembling information including project nature, objectives, outcomes, deliverables, implementation, methods, timetable, staffing, budget, standards of performance, and evaluation; writing, revising, and editing drafts including executive summaries, conclusions, and organization credentials.
• Improve proposal-writing results by evaluating and re-designing processes, approach, coordination, and boilerplate; implement changes.
• Seek appropriate professional development and personal networking opportunities.
• Research and write copy for annual fund solicitations, donor-centric websites, and other mass-market fundraising efforts. Work collaboratively with colleagues throughout University of Utah Health as well as donors, physicians, researchers, faculty, students, volunteers, and outside vendors.
• Research and write materials in support of a major comprehensive campaign, including white papers, case statements, brochures, newsletters, web content and other communications. Prepare content for print and online publication. Plan and implement communications that uphold University of Utah Health messaging, tone, style, and brand guidelines.
• Also responsible for other duties as assigned by the director of advancement communications.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required Nearly Continuously

Office environment. Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking. Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking. Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Preferences Preferred Qualifications

• Five years or more in higher education/academic medicine fundraising or in a closely related profession. Proven superior writing and editing skills.
• Versatility in a range of formats and voices.
• Ability to cover a wide range of science and technology topics.
• Ability to synthesize large amounts of information and compose clear and persuasive prose.
• Ability to manage complex tasks simultaneously, coordinate the roles of various participants in projects, set priorities and schedules, and meet deadlines with a minimum of supervision. Attention to detail and exceptional editing and proofreading skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to facilitate mutual understanding and work effectively with a wide variety of people including faculty, administrators, development colleagues, donors, alumni, students and friends of the Institute. Proven customer-service focus.
• An understanding of the entire advancement enterprise—particularly within an academic setting—and the ability to work within that framework.
• Demonstrate the ability to practice and adhere to organizational values.
• An appreciation and demonstration of the skills needed to build long-term relationships.