Director, Advancement Communications & Philanthropic Proposals

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, creative execution, and delivery of a broad range of donor-facing fundraising content.
• Manage a small writing team with autonomous leadership.
• Translate GW’s strategic framework priorities and complex academic visions into clear, concise, and persuasive audience-first messaging.
• Create and communicate campaign narratives and help uncover, shape, and promote fundable ideas from across the university.
• Write interdisciplinary ideas, transformational initiatives, bespoke multi-million-dollar gift proposals and cases for support, internal communications, announcements of landmark gifts, talking points, templates, and letters.
• Oversee content with a through-line of supporting attainment with campaign forward storytelling.
• Oversee financial literacy and knowledge of graphic design and the role of visual communication in content delivery.
• Adopt an entrepreneurial attitude, project management mindset, and utilize emerging technological tools such as AI to enhance writing efficiency and workflows.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 8 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 6 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Professional experience in a development or fundraising-related environment, preferably an academic or non-profit setting.
• Ability to work independently and proactively in a highly collaborative environment and the ability to influence people over whom you have no formal authority.
• Superior interpersonal and relationship-building skills with ability to interact with tact and diplomacy with various constituencies at all levels, including donors and university leadership.
• Experience leading, supervising, and developing staff with a high degree of autonomy.

Preferred

• Demonstrated competence in written communications, investigative research or reporting
• Knowledge of digital media best practices including web information architecture
• Comfort with MS Office, Google and Zoom workspace
• Directing graphic design and hands-on use of design software such as Canva, Marq, or InDesign
• Working command of AI tools and how to write optimal prompts
• Aptitude in mastering new technologies
• Experience directing graphic design and hands-on use of design software such as Canva, Marq, or InDesign

Benefits

• GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits.