Job Summary:

 The Stewardship Writer will develop meaningful and best-in-class content, creating engaging, personalized, and meaningful stories of impact about students, faculty, and donors. This position will be responsible for crafting donor-centric content and messaging that informs and inspires donors, connecting them to the larger strategic goals of RPI Forward and RPI’s comprehensive campaign.

Who we are:

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world. 

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field
• Two (2) or more years related communications experience (writing, proposal development, event engagement) in a fundraising, stewardship or marketing environment
  • Demonstrated experience in crafting stewardship communications and high-level proposals for senior-level executives and/or leadership

Relevant combinations of education, training and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Stewardship and proposal writing experience (technical/scientific writing experience a plus)
• Experience with creating meaningful engagement and stewardship opportunities for donors
• Experience with developing impactful stewardship content for donors

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to craft and proofread a variety of internal and external communications, including stewardship materials, proposals, acknowledgement letters, marketing collateral, endowment reports, and other related content
• Ability to translate complex ideas and develop narratives that tell a larger story of impact
• Attention to detail, and excellent written and oral communications
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Proficient in the use of content management software (CMS), customer relationship management (CRM) technology and other relevant systems and software (e.g. Smartsheet, Ellucian, etc.)
• Ability to apply project management skills and collaborate with a variety of different internal and external stakeholders
• Planning, organizing and effective time management skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet established goals and objectives
• Ability to anticipate and solve problems
  
  

Representative Job Duties:

• Work closely with the director and the Advancement Communications content development, design, and editorial teams on messaging, content, copyediting and proofreading, design, and content review for all stewardship communications and materials, ensuring copy tone and style are within brand and style guidelines. This may include, but is not limited to, annual donor impact reports, gift acknowledgements, proposal writing, the annual donor calendar, web content, and other stewardship communications or collateral
• Provide custom, targeted research and content for high-level, $1M+ proposals. May be required to research and/or interview subject matter experts to inform stories
• Responsible for identifying and developing scholarship student stories and content that engages and thanks our donors
• Provide research and communications support to the writing/editing of the annual endowment report
• Additional communications support for all stewardship efforts, including expansion of acknowledgement letter process and revamped donor societies, specifically a new consecutive giving society
• Serve as lead thought partner involving all stewardship opportunities with Philanthropic Partnerships and Vice President of Institute Advancement for high-level donors in the stewardship phase
• Execute and manage senior class gift program, with a focus on Young Patroons. Develop a class gift program for undergraduate students at the Institute with a goal of securing 30% participation from the senior class. This should include philanthropy education, solicitation of Young Patroons and other students, stewardship, and recognition of donors

Shift:

Business Hours with weekends or evenings occasionally required

Travel:

Driving:

Incidental driving possible, but not required

Starting Salary/Rate:

Expected hiring range: $80,000 - $85,000 / yr

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions:

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information:

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).