At Houston Methodist, the Senior Development Writer position is responsible for producing clear, concise and engaging content for development communications. Working collaboratively with a team of writers, communications professionals and fundraising staff, this position crafts compelling and persuasive content for a wide variety of projects, including but not limited to case statements, proposals, stewardship reports, thank you letters, appeals, newsletter and magazine articles, promotional materials, brochures, and fact sheets and may involve meeting with and interviewing key internal constituents such as physicians, researchers, development officers and patients, as well as key external constituents such as donors and leadership volunteers.

The Senior Development Writer position communicates complex health care information in easy-to-understand language that relates compelling stories of Houston Methodist's focus on patient care, research and medical education. This position will utilize strong editorial judgment and skills in writing, proofreading and editing materials containing copy for a variety of audiences and communication channels - optimizing organization, grammar, structure, clarity and style and translates scientific/medical information into language that can be understood and easily accessible by broad audiences.

The Senior Development Writer position develops and implements strategic communications plans that support the Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation's mission and fundraising priorities. This position works independently, creates original content, and may lead and guide junior level writers and contract writers to gather, organize and analyze information from multiple sources to accomplish projects on time.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Works closely with fundraising staff, physicians, researchers, donors, and leadership volunteers to produce compelling pieces that appeal to and inspire the philanthropic community to support Houston Methodist patient care, research and medical education programs.

• Serves as a mentor to fellow writers and project managers within the Development Communications and other Foundation teams.

• Conducts interviews with internal and external stakeholders to quickly and accurately gather and craft informative and persuasive materials. Consults and advises fundraising staff regarding their communications needs and participates in developing communications strategies.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborates with the Foundation team and stakeholders to conceptualize and develop content for wide variety of projects, including but not limited to high-level, creative case statements, proposals, stewardship reports, thank you letters, appeals, newsletter and magazine articles, and promotional materials.

• Ensures messaging and content for intended target audience meet brand and editorial standards; seeks feedback on collaterals' impact and follows up with product improvements.

• Tailors written materials to inspire different audiences through a variety of channels. Appropriately utilizes empathy and emotional intelligence to interact with colleagues and convey meaningful messages to external audiences.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Writes with consistency in quality, tone and style, following Houston Methodist brand standards for content, graphics and design elements in all Foundation collateral. Seeks and incorporates feedback from key stakeholders into work product. May proofread and edit copy for accuracy, effectiveness and style for Foundation staff as needed.

• Prioritizes and meets project deadlines and ensures quick turnarounds in a fast-paced, evolving environment that demands frequent interaction with multiple colleagues across various departments throughout the process.

• Ensures finalized writing projects are catalogued in central repositories of content for future utilization.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Utilizes departmental resources efficiently.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Proactively stays up-to-date on fundraising best practices, institutional priorities and programs related to subject matter, and the art of writing.

• In partnership with Foundation staff, crafts new proposals, stewardship reports and other donor communications utilizing current case for support materials as resources.

• Proactively manages own professional development and completes My Development Plan (MDP).

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or a related liberal arts or business field

• Graduate degree preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Five years of experience in professional writing and editing

• Three years of direct experience in development communications at Houston Methodist with demonstrated proficiency may count toward total years of experience

• Development communications experience preferred

• Experience in communicating information in sciences or medicine to both broad professional and lay audiences preferred

• Experience in academic and/or health care environment preferred

• Experience in nonprofit fundraising campaigns or initiatives developing written materials preferred