Job Description Summary
We create the conditions for opportunity – human, financial, & experiential – by garnering and stewarding the resources that advance William & Mary.
Gifts to William & Mary are an investment in the education of the next generation of creative thinkers, principled leaders, and compassionate global citizens equipped for lives of meaning and distinction. We are enormously grateful to our donors, who provide critical resources to meet our evolving needs.
The Stewardship Communications Specialist ensures our donors receive the gratitude and recognition on behalf of the university and its leaders and helps to publicize the impact of these generous gifts. Stewardship, put simply, is how we take care of our donors.
The Stewardship Communications Specialist reports to the Senior Director of Advancement Communications and partners with and advises colleagues across University Advancement to help the university advance its fundraising goals by stewarding our donors, alumni, and friends. A significant part of the Stewardship Communications Specialist’s work is researching and writing timely, accurate and personalized acknowledgement letters and other correspondence on behalf of the University President and Senior Vice President for University Advancement. In addition to personalized letters, they are also responsible for writing board resolutions and honorary recognitions, biographies, profiles and obituaries of donors, faculty and students, presentations, targeted email, printed documents and web pages for University Advancement and other units.
This is a hybrid position based in Williamsburg, VA, that offers a flexible work environment. Learn more about this position at https://advancement.wm.edu/come-work-with-us/.
Salary Up to $55,000 commensurate with experience and internal alignment.
Application Instructions For full consideration, submit application materials by the review date. Applications received after the review date will be considered if needed. A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a field that requires significant writing and research or equivalent combination of education and experience.
The desire and ability to work and succeed in a fast‑paced environment.
Demonstrated initiative and a positive, responsive, service‑oriented attitude.
Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills, including use of style guides, with the demonstrated command of correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Experience expressing nuanced ideas in a creative and accurate manner (typically 3 years).
Experience and comfort using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams, as well as Adobe Acrobat (typically 3 years).
Detail‑oriented research skills, including using internet‑based databases.
Commitment to diplomacy, tact and confidentiality when working with individuals on and off campus and responding to Advancement audiences.
Excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in support of William & Mary’s goals.
Great degree of flexibility and outstanding organizational skills with the demonstrated ability to manage multiple, competing projects concurrently while adhering to strict deadlines.
An appreciation for William & Mary, its mission, history and unique focus on undergraduate research and a liberal arts education.
A curious nature and interest in lifelong learning.
The desire and ability to innovate and implement dynamic change, as well as adapt to change initiated by others.
The desire and ability to exceed goals.
The desire and ability to build consensus among colleagues and work with diverse audiences.
Preferred Qualifications
Previous stewardship writing experience or writing experience to thank and recognize clients, supporters, or members.
Experience writing executive communications and/or ghost‑writing (writing in the voice and under the signature of another).
Extensive portfolio that includes a variety of digital and print communications pieces.
An understanding of best practices in university or nonprofit marketing and communications.
Curiosity about fundraising principles, particularly in a higher education setting.
Strong project management skills with the ability to identify short‑ and long‑range goals and work on cross‑functional teams.
Conditions of Employment
This is a non‑exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. The position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as directed and approved by the supervisor.
This position is subject to evening, weekend and holiday work.
This position requires the ability to travel as required.
Eligible for hybrid work (works remotely at least one day per week but not full time).
Job Duties 80% – Personalized Communications for Donors
Research and write timely, accurate, and personalized acknowledgement letters and other correspondence on behalf of the university President and Senior Vice President for University Advancement.
Research and write board resolutions and other honorary recognitions.
Research and write biographies, profiles and obituaries of donors and alumni, faculty, and students.
Pitch, research, create, write, and edit compelling content to steward donors through various communication channels including presentations, targeted email and mail campaigns, printed documents, web pages, social media and other communications or collateral for University Advancement and other units.
20% – Collaborative Projects
Serve as a liaison to a set of communication clients within University Advancement.
Edit and proofread collateral produced by University Advancement and external partners at a high standard that ensures accuracy, consistency and quality.
Assist senior director, executive director and project managers in creating production schedules and managing and executing communication projects.
Provide event support for stewardship‑focused events.
Participate in working groups to plan, coordinate and execute original communications products and publications related to special events and programs.
Attend meetings and provide information and assistance to colleagues.
Update donor records.
Position Restrictions – EEO Statement EEO is the law. William & Mary is an equal‑opportunity employer. For more information, visit www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal.
Background Check William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. Background investigations for applicants being considered for employment include reference checks, a criminal history record check and, when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.
Remote Work Disclaimer Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete or modify eligibility.
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Gifts to William & Mary are an investment in the education of the next generation of creative thinkers, principled leaders, and compassionate global citizens equipped for lives of meaning and distinction. We are enormously grateful to our donors, who provide critical resources to meet our evolving needs.
The Stewardship Communications Specialist ensures our donors receive the gratitude and recognition on behalf of the university and its leaders and helps to publicize the impact of these generous gifts. Stewardship, put simply, is how we take care of our donors.
The Stewardship Communications Specialist reports to the Senior Director of Advancement Communications and partners with and advises colleagues across University Advancement to help the university advance its fundraising goals by stewarding our donors, alumni, and friends. A significant part of the Stewardship Communications Specialist’s work is researching and writing timely, accurate and personalized acknowledgement letters and other correspondence on behalf of the University President and Senior Vice President for University Advancement. In addition to personalized letters, they are also responsible for writing board resolutions and honorary recognitions, biographies, profiles and obituaries of donors, faculty and students, presentations, targeted email, printed documents and web pages for University Advancement and other units.
This is a hybrid position based in Williamsburg, VA, that offers a flexible work environment. Learn more about this position at https://advancement.wm.edu/come-work-with-us/.
Salary Up to $55,000 commensurate with experience and internal alignment.
Application Instructions For full consideration, submit application materials by the review date. Applications received after the review date will be considered if needed. A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a field that requires significant writing and research or equivalent combination of education and experience.
The desire and ability to work and succeed in a fast‑paced environment.
Demonstrated initiative and a positive, responsive, service‑oriented attitude.
Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills, including use of style guides, with the demonstrated command of correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Experience expressing nuanced ideas in a creative and accurate manner (typically 3 years).
Experience and comfort using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams, as well as Adobe Acrobat (typically 3 years).
Detail‑oriented research skills, including using internet‑based databases.
Commitment to diplomacy, tact and confidentiality when working with individuals on and off campus and responding to Advancement audiences.
Excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in support of William & Mary’s goals.
Great degree of flexibility and outstanding organizational skills with the demonstrated ability to manage multiple, competing projects concurrently while adhering to strict deadlines.
An appreciation for William & Mary, its mission, history and unique focus on undergraduate research and a liberal arts education.
A curious nature and interest in lifelong learning.
The desire and ability to innovate and implement dynamic change, as well as adapt to change initiated by others.
The desire and ability to exceed goals.
The desire and ability to build consensus among colleagues and work with diverse audiences.
Preferred Qualifications
Previous stewardship writing experience or writing experience to thank and recognize clients, supporters, or members.
Experience writing executive communications and/or ghost‑writing (writing in the voice and under the signature of another).
Extensive portfolio that includes a variety of digital and print communications pieces.
An understanding of best practices in university or nonprofit marketing and communications.
Curiosity about fundraising principles, particularly in a higher education setting.
Strong project management skills with the ability to identify short‑ and long‑range goals and work on cross‑functional teams.
Conditions of Employment
This is a non‑exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. The position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as directed and approved by the supervisor.
This position is subject to evening, weekend and holiday work.
This position requires the ability to travel as required.
Eligible for hybrid work (works remotely at least one day per week but not full time).
Job Duties 80% – Personalized Communications for Donors
Research and write timely, accurate, and personalized acknowledgement letters and other correspondence on behalf of the university President and Senior Vice President for University Advancement.
Research and write board resolutions and other honorary recognitions.
Research and write biographies, profiles and obituaries of donors and alumni, faculty, and students.
Pitch, research, create, write, and edit compelling content to steward donors through various communication channels including presentations, targeted email and mail campaigns, printed documents, web pages, social media and other communications or collateral for University Advancement and other units.
20% – Collaborative Projects
Serve as a liaison to a set of communication clients within University Advancement.
Edit and proofread collateral produced by University Advancement and external partners at a high standard that ensures accuracy, consistency and quality.
Assist senior director, executive director and project managers in creating production schedules and managing and executing communication projects.
Provide event support for stewardship‑focused events.
Participate in working groups to plan, coordinate and execute original communications products and publications related to special events and programs.
Attend meetings and provide information and assistance to colleagues.
Update donor records.
Position Restrictions – EEO Statement EEO is the law. William & Mary is an equal‑opportunity employer. For more information, visit www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal.
Background Check William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. Background investigations for applicants being considered for employment include reference checks, a criminal history record check and, when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.
Remote Work Disclaimer Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete or modify eligibility.
#J-18808-Ljbffr