Senior Development Writer, Marketing, Communications, and Stewardship, Duke; AED

Occupational Summary

Please include with your resume and cover letter a link to three writing samples; development writing encouraged.

Duke’s Office of Alumni Engagement and Development (AED) keeps more than 200,000 alumni, donors, students, parents and friends connected to the programs, people and places that matter most at every stage of their lives. When you join the AED team, you join high‑achievers who deepen relationships, enable connections and help the community make world‑changing impact.

The senior writer works with AED and university leaders to manage, compose, and edit communications and marketing materials that advance Duke University and enhance its ability to connect with donors and alumni. This position provides persuasive writing support for a suite of development communications to frontline fundraisers, including proposals, donor one‑pagers, gift announcements and other content supporting gift conversations in the $100,000 to multi‑million‑dollar range.

• With input from senior development leaders, write proposals, white papers and other content to support gift conversations in the $100,000 to multi‑million‑dollar range.
• Write gift announcements for major and principal gifts reflecting the highest ambitions of the university.
• Write, update and maintain strategic fundraiser toolkits, ensuring gift officers have the assets they need to present opportunities to donors.
• Create custom gift proposals for key principal donors.
• Occasionally support the writing work of the larger Creative team and organization—writing key messages, elevator pitches, advertising copy, video scripts, alumni/donor stories and other materials for complex university initiatives.
• Occasionally serve as a contributor to various websites including alumni.duke.edu and giving.duke.edu.

• Work with the university’s academic leaders and fundraising officers to communicate their vision and priorities to an alumni and donor audience.
• Collaborate with development colleagues, schools and units to identify alumni and development stories that promote the benefits and impact of giving to Duke, educate prospective donors about Duke’s accomplishments and priorities, and promote a positive image of the university.
• Collaborate with graphic designers, web developers, videographers and other writers on development communications.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other alumni, development and communications offices at Duke.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Brand‑centric portfolio that demonstrates strong strategic thinking and the ability to generate and execute creative ideas with a high level of craft and attention to detail; comfort writing for different audiences and adjusting tone, style and concepts to address audiences most appropriately.
• Familiarity with AP Style.
• Experience developing fundraising communications—including proposals, donor one‑pagers, gift announcements and similar materials.
• Experience developing ideas for articles, ads, brochures, commercials and other publications and transforming those concepts into promotional copy.
• Experience interpreting creative briefs and incorporating team and client perspectives to develop unique and engaging content.
• Ability to set schedules and manage deadlines effectively.
• Ability to be flexible and work in a highly collaborative team environment.
• Familiarity with design and production.
• Experience with development writing required.

Duke is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to employment opportunities without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $59,829.00 to USD $86,700.00. The offer considers scope and responsibilities, candidate’s experience, education, and key skills, among other factors. Total compensation includes comprehensive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide…