Senior Fundraising Writer United Kingdom
Job description
Permanent, Full Time Role.
This is an exciting time to be joining the Development and Alumni Engagement Team (DAE) at the University of Warwick. We’re entering the early planning stages of a new major philanthropic campaign, which will significantly scale the ambition for the University’s fundraising and engagement activity. To enable the campaign, have created a new team under the Head of Campaign Planning and Performance.
To underpin the team, we’re looking for an excellent writer who is genuinely excited to tell engaging and powerful stories to our communities. You’ll need to write compelling copy which sets out a clear case of support across a broad range of projects and in turn supports the fundraising team to deliver philanthropic income for the University.
In this role you’ll articulate the fundraising priorities against the University’s strategy and vision, Partners’ priorities and the Development and Alumni Engagement Strategy.
From writing fundraising papers and cases for support, to developing key messages, multimedia proposals and concept notes for high-net-worth individuals, including Major and Principal Gifts you’ll use your excellent writing and communication skills and tools to create a wide range of supporting collateral for student support, research and capital priorities for philanthropy at the University of Warwick.
As a team, we have a major role to play in helping break down barriers to education and advancing research addressing some of our planet's biggest challenges.
Our alumni and donor community creates lasting value in society and the economy through supporting students, research and facilities at Warwick.
With the objectives of increasing the active engagement of our alumni, students and staff communities and raising new and transformative funds in support of the University’s strategic philanthropic priorities, there is an enormous impact to be made.
If this sounds like a good team to be a part of, and an exciting challenge, then I look forward to meeting with you.
Andrea Crowley, Deputy Director (Alumni and Supporter Engagement)
We know that attracting the highest quality staff is fundamental to achieving our aims. We’re committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection practice is professional, fair and effective. Find out more at We know that attracting the highest quality staff is fundamental to achieving our aims. We’re committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection practice is professional, fair and effective. To find out more about our social inclusion work at Warwick visit our webpages: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/socialinclusion
How to Apply
If you wish to apply, please submit your current CV and a cover letter of no more than 2 sides of A4 by 12th June 2023 to [email protected] inserting “Application – Senior Fundraising Writer, University of Warwick” into the subject field.
When writing your cover letter, please ensure that you provide specific examples to demonstrate your competencies, achievements and skills addressing the specific criteria set out.
If you would like an informal discussion with Polly Symondson (Polly Symondson Recruitment) to find out more about the role before submitting an application we encourage you to email: [email protected] or call 07971 098331 or email [email protected]
The University of Warwick values equality and diversity, and welcomes applications from candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
We guarantee to offer an interview to those with a disability who meet the minimum criteria.
Having a criminal record will not necessarily disqualify you from acquiring the post.
Interviews are expected to take place on 22nd June.
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
Development and Alumni Engagement (DAE) is currently in the planning stages of a major new philanthropic campaign, which will significantly scale the ambition for the University’s fundraising activity We are looking for an excellent Senior Fundraising Writer, an individual who is genuinely excited to tell engaging and powerful stories. The post holder will articulate the fundraising priorities against the University’s strategy and vision, Partners’ priorities and the Development and Alumni Engagement Strategy.
From writing fundraising papers and cases for support, to developing key messages, multimedia proposals and concept notes for high-net-worth individuals, including Major and Principal Gifts, the post holder will use their excellent writing and communication skills and tools to create a wide range of supporting collateral for student support, research and capital priorities for philanthropy at the University of Warwick.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Content and Creativity:
1. Writing compelling and engaging text, which sets out clear case for support for a broad range of philanthropic thematic priorities and projects.
2. Producing creative, engaging and attractive proposals that could incorporate multiple media; for example, presentation slides, videos, photos, graphics, and charts.
3. Working with large volumes of content and distilling into a compelling narrative and case for support.
4. Ability to synthesise content from multiple sources into one persuasive document.
Communication and Networking:
1. Coordinating with colleagues across DAE, Professional Services and the Academy to prepare clear, concise and compelling written material in support of fundraising priorities.
2. Building and maintaining strong communication with the Campaign Project Development Manager, Heads of Philanthropy, Philanthropic Finance Manager, Head of Events and Donor Relations, and Associate Heads of Philanthropy (Principal Gifts) when working on a number of proposals simultaneously.
3. Attending and confidently contributing to meetings with Senior Faculty, Executive and Professional Services to understand further the content of proposals.
Decision Making, Planning and Problem Solving:
1. Planning time efficiently in order to manage multiple requests and large-scale proposals and project collateral.
2. Supporting clinical and Academic colleagues to unpack the information needed to tell a powerful and compelling narrative.
3. Using discretion, initiative and decision-making skills to ensure the most powerful and tangible information is delivered in the content of each proposal and project collateral.
4. Comfortable working in a deadline-driven environment where priorities can change according to adjustments in fundraising and relationship development strategies.
The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars.
For further information about the department, please visit the department website
Warwick is committed to building an organisation of mutual respect and dignity, promoting a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive working and learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. Where possible, we go beyond legislation to provide a place where everyone can thrive, supporting all staff to achieve their full potential. We aspire to remove economic, social and cultural barriers that may otherwise prevent people from succeeding.
We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all communities regardless of culture, background, age, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion/belief, or sexual or romantic orientation. To find out more about our social inclusion work at Warwick visit our webpages here.
The University of Warwick holds an Athena SWAN Silver award; a national initiative to promote gender equality for all staff and students. Further information about the work of the University in relation to Athena SWAN can be found at the following link: Athena Swan (warwick.ac.uk)
The University of Warwick is one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University alliance, whose aim is to become by 2025 an open, multicultural, confederated operation of connected campuses.
Right to work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK points-based immigration system please click on this link which contains further information about obtaining right to work in the UK and details about eligibility for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa.
Benefits and Rewards
Please refer to this link for a full list of our employee benefits here at Warwick here.
