Donor Relations Writer

Title: Donor Relations Writer

Location: Bethlehem United States

Job Description:

At Lehigh University, philanthropy shapes lives - funding scholarships, powering research, and strengthening a community that spans generations of Brown and White. As the Donor Relations Writer in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, you'll be the storyteller who closes the loop between a donor's generosity and its real-world impact on campus.

Position Number: S80800

This position is a Grade: 9 - 40 with an approximate salary range of $56,030-$68,190 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.

Key Accountabilities

• Writes, edits, and manages the creation of compelling written and digital collateral designed to steward, recognize, and engage donors across all giving levels.
• Researches and develops creative, impactful narratives that clearly communicate the real-world impact of philanthropy for donor stewardship reports, milestones, and specific funds.
• Develops and implements customized communication strategies, selecting the most appropriate digital or traditional platforms to effectively reach and resonate with targeted audiences.
• Collaborates with donor relations team members to repurpose and repackage content, while conducting benchmarking research to integrate industry best practices and innovative stewardship materials.
• Develops, implements, and regularly evaluates efficient processes for gathering timely information from University collaborators, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, and fundraisers.
• Liaises with faculty, staff, and students to address questions and verify content accuracy, while staying current on and implementing the latest technology trends to optimize stewardship objectives.
• Writes high-level acknowledgment letters on behalf of the Vice President, President, and Chair of the Board of Trustees for gifts made to the University.
• Collaborates with donor relations writers and gift officers to create personalized letter templates, secure necessary approvals for assigned prospects, and ensure all correspondence is coordinated and mailed within best-practice timeframes.
• Edits and proofs final donor relations materials to ensure strict compliance with the University style guide, branding, and highest editorial standards, while directly addressing any copy questions or concerns with authors.
• Utilizes strong interpersonal skills to manage collaborator expectations and maintain productive partnerships with designers, photographers, and vendors, while staying current on donor relations best practices to foster a culture of high performance and quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in English, Journalism, Marketing, Communications or a related field
• Master's Degree preferred
• Three to five years of related work experience
• Demonstrated experience in professional writing - fundraising, higher education, journalism, or a related field
• The ability to translate complex academic or research content into accessible, engaging prose for a donor audience
• Comfort working within a collaborative advancement operation, where accuracy and discretion are non-negotiable
• Familiarity with donor relations or gift stewardship practice in a university or nonprofit context
• Exceptional editing skills and a consistent, polished writing voice across formats and channels

Why Lehigh?

Lehigh sits at an energizing intersection of rigorous scholarship and genuine community - a research university where the scale is large enough to matter and small enough to know your colleagues by name. The Office of Development and Alumni Relations is a team with a clear sense of purpose: deepening the relationship between Lehigh and the donors who believe in its future. Beyond meaningful work, Lehigh offers a comprehensive and family friendly benefits package which includes but is not limited to Health Care, Retirement and Educational benefits. Information can be found on our website.

Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the university's mission.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist.

Special Considerations

• This position may be eligible for a fully remote work arrangement pending University approval; remote work opportunities for non contract positions are only offered within the United States.

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.