What are the responsibilities and job description for the Development Writer, College of Natural Sciences position at The University of Texas at Austin?
Job Posting Title:
Development Writer, College of Natural Sciences
College of Natural Sciences
All Applicants
40
Exempt
Apr 01, 2026
Expected to Continue
UT MAIN CAMPUS
General Notes
The College of Natural Sciences (CNS) is UT Austin’s largest college, home to top-ranked academic specialties, a dozen departments and award-winning student programs and faculty. We strive to foster a work environment that enables all employees to contribute at the highest possible level to support the mission of the University. What starts here really does change the world. For more information about the College of Natural Sciences, please visit https://cns.utexas.edu.
The CNS Development Office focuses on building relationships and securing philanthropic support to advance the college's mission. The team works with alumni, donors, and community partners to raise funds for scholarships, faculty support, research initiatives, and major capital projects. They also coordinate stewardship efforts, donor recognition, and strategic campaigns that help strengthen UT’s long‑term growth and impact.
Purpose
The Development Writer will strengthen fundraising and campaign communications for the College of Natural Sciences through compelling writing and storytelling that engages alumni, parents, students and friends, and inspires philanthropic support.
Responsibilities
Preferred Qualifications
$68,000 depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
Development Writer, College of Natural Sciences
College of Natural Sciences
All Applicants
40
Exempt
Apr 01, 2026
Expected to Continue
UT MAIN CAMPUS
General Notes
The College of Natural Sciences (CNS) is UT Austin’s largest college, home to top-ranked academic specialties, a dozen departments and award-winning student programs and faculty. We strive to foster a work environment that enables all employees to contribute at the highest possible level to support the mission of the University. What starts here really does change the world. For more information about the College of Natural Sciences, please visit https://cns.utexas.edu.
The CNS Development Office focuses on building relationships and securing philanthropic support to advance the college's mission. The team works with alumni, donors, and community partners to raise funds for scholarships, faculty support, research initiatives, and major capital projects. They also coordinate stewardship efforts, donor recognition, and strategic campaigns that help strengthen UT’s long‑term growth and impact.
Purpose
The Development Writer will strengthen fundraising and campaign communications for the College of Natural Sciences through compelling writing and storytelling that engages alumni, parents, students and friends, and inspires philanthropic support.
Responsibilities
- Coordinates, develops, writes and edits clear, compelling, persuasive and brand-compliant development communications on behalf of College leadership, including the Chief Development Officer and Dean. Oversees the review and approval process and delivers final products on established timelines.
- Meets regularly with the Chief Development Officer and members of the leadership team to determine, prioritize and execute major and principal gifts fundraising projects.
- Supports College of Natural Sciences gift officers by developing concepts and content based on identified fundraising priorities. Conducts independent research and partners with subject-matter experts to develop technical and programmatic content. Develops and maintains current knowledge of University priorities, brand, style and stories.
- Executes College of Natural Sciences Development communications projects and goals by providing general writing and editing support for impact reports, internal communications, letters, marketing collateral and other materials that support fundraising and stewardship.
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, English or a related field.
- Three years of relevant experience in development communications, writing/editing, marketing or general communications.
- Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage and organize multiple projects while consistently meeting deadlines.
- Proven skill in writing clear, concise, accurate and compelling donor-focused content, including the ability to adapt to various voices and styles.
- Strong attention to detail and a track record of contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and knowledge of AP Style.
Preferred Qualifications
- Five or more years of experience in specialized development work, with a focus on writing and producing persuasive fundraising content.
- Experience working within a stewardship or advancement program, preferably in a higher-education environment.
- Demonstrated ability to create effective digital collateral across multiple formats.
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud applications and website content management systems.
$68,000 depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
- May work under standard office conditions with repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
- This position is based on the UT-Austin campus
- Occasional evenings, weekend, or holiday work may be required
- Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for sponsorship of work visas
- Resume/CV
- 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
- Letter of interest
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
- E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
- Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
- Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
Salary : $68,000