Proposal Writer

The LSU Foundation is seeking an experienced Proposal Writer to serve as an integral member of an eight-person team of creative professionals who collectively shape and implement the LSU Foundation's development communications plans. 

Baton Rouge, LA

LSU Foundation

<p>The LSU Foundation is the primary fundraising entity for academics at LSU.&nbsp;The LSU Foundation's sole purpose to provide philanthropic support to LSU, which we accomplish through the work of a campus-wide team of frontline development officers and a support team of advancement services, communications and marketing, donor relations, financial and talent management personnel. &nbsp;</p> http://www.lsufoundation.org/jobs

keywords: collaboration,donor communications,proposal writing,research & editing,project management,collaboration,knowledge,education,storytelling,degree,experience,language,communication,technology,knowledge,reading comprehension,professionalism

Proposal Writer

Overview: <p>The LSU Foundation is seeking an experienced Proposal Writer to serve as an integral member of an eight-person team of creative professionals who collectively shape and implement the LSU Foundation's development communications plans. Reporting to the Senior Proposal Writer and partnering with development officers in colleges and units across LSU's flagship campus, the Proposal Writer develops comprehensive proposal materials for the Foundation's principal- and major gift-level donors and prospects with the goal of advancing the university's strategic fundraising priorities. These include written materials related to both individual and corporate donor cultivation and solicitation, such as proposals, pre-proposals, concept papers, one-sheeters, and proposal tools and templates. Additionally, the Proposal Writer supports proposal narrative development for charitable grant applications to private foundations and reviews charitable grant narratives written by development officers as well as LSU faculty and research staff.&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Please provide three to five writing samples that reflect your ability to perform the primary job functions associated with this position (e.g., proposals to individual donors, grant proposals, concept papers). Samples should be emailed to bshillings@lsufoundation.org.</em></p>
Responsibilities: <p><strong>Essential Duties &amp; Responsibilities</strong></p> <ul> <li>Work collaboratively with Senior Proposal Writer and LSU Foundation colleagues to produce proposals and related collateral for donors and prospective donors. Draft and finalize copy for proposals and related collateral, such as pre-proposals, concept papers, and one-sheeters. Ensure that proposal content is consistent with messages developed for development communications and with LSU's strategic fundraising priorities. Conduct research to compose robust, focused, and donor-centric copy for proposals and related collateral. Serve as an editing, copy editing, and proofreading resource for proposals, grant applications, and related materials written by colleagues.</li> <li>Develop and manage production schedules and client relations for all projects for which the Proposal Writer serves as project manager. Ensure accurate, on-time delivery of completed projects.</li> <li>Collaborate with Graphic Designer as needed to ensure that proposals are visually engaging and align with LSU's brand.</li> <li>Develop and disseminate best practices information related to proposal writing, including proposal tools and templates, in collaboration with Senior Proposal Writer and Graphic Designer.</li> <li>Aquire and maintain a sound understanding of LSU and its associated programs, fundraising/marketing themes, and academic and fundraising priorities. Build and maintain strong, cooperative relationships across campus and within the LSU Foundation.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Marginal Duties &amp; Responsibilities</strong></p> <ul> <li>In collaboration with Senior Proposal Writer and communications and marketing colleagues, develop and lead writing workshops for LSU Foundation development officers and LSU's advancement enterprise.</li> <li>Be part of sustaining and strengthening the communications and marketing team's storytelling platform, with a focus on developing storytelling opportunities that feature the impact of philanthropy at LSU. This platform is inclusive of copy and design assets produced by the team to serve a wide and evolving range of development communications needs campus-wide.</li> </ul>
Requirements: <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in English, mass communication, or another field with emphasis on written communication</li> <li>Three to five years of related experience in a position with similar responsibilities</li> <li>Proven track record of driving forward or achieving organizational goals through writing</li> <li>Excellent command of the English language, including grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation</li> <li>Ability to communicate in a clear, compelling, and concise manner with attention to style, syntax, repetition, clarity, flow, and consistency</li> <li>Outstanding writing, editing, copy editing, proofreading, and interviewing skills</li> <li>Proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint</li> <li>Working knowledge of Associated Press style</li> <li>Superior reading comprehension and information synthesis skills, especially as related to topics outside of one's own area of expertise</li> <li>Strong interpersonal skills, reflected in an ability to work collegially in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, with insights as to how best to support colleagues making asks for philanthropic support or otherwise pitching to clients</li> <li>Ability to work efficiently and independently under pressure while producing high-quality, accurate work products</li> <li>Ability to maintain confidentiality and work with sensitive information&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Knowledge &amp; Skill Qualifications</strong></p> <ul> <li>Professional experience working in a marketing/communications and/or development setting, especially for a nonprofit or higher-education institution</li> <li>Knowledge of fundraising techniques, academic units, and leadership structures within a higher education environment</li> <li>Master's degree in a related field</li> <li>Grant-writing experience</li> <li>Project-management experience</li> <li>Familiarity with The Chicago Manual of Style</li> <li>Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat Pro and InDesign</li> <li>Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Outlook</li> <li>Experience working with a relationship-focused database (e.g., ADVANCE) and project management software (e.g., Basecamp)</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Competencies</strong></p> <ul> <li>Collaboration: Works collegially with others, cooperating in both interpersonal and team relationships; fosters enthusiasm and maintains mutual trust, candor and respect.</li> <li>Adaptability: Responds to changing circumstances by being innovative and altering behavior to better fit different situations; successfully works with new colleagues; willing to be flexible; remains calm in stressful situations.</li> <li>Effective Communication: Shares and receives information using clear oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.</li> <li>Attention to Detail/Accuracy: Focuses on paying attention to all details and aspects of a job or process to avoid substandard outputs.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Supervisory Responsibilities</strong></p> <ul> <li>None associated with this position</li> </ul> <p><strong>Work Environment Requirements</strong></p> <ul> <li>May be required to work extended workdays, evenings, and weekends to meet deadlines</li> </ul>