Classification & Regular Hours

Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade: 15

About Western

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

Western Communications staff seek to enhance, promote and protect the reputation of the university.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director, Advancement Communications & Marketing the Writer, Major Gifts supports Western Communications and University Advancement in the creation of a full range of marketing and communications materials to help ensure the success of development and fundraising for special initiatives and major gifts at Western. The majority of responsibilities will involve developing cases, proposals, one-pagers and briefing notes covering a wide variety of subject matter and content, from large interdisciplinary research projects to the important work of supporting many facets of Western’s exceptional student experience.

The role will plan and develop clear and concise content that is informative, compelling and inspiring to generate philanthropic support for projects that align with Western’s strategic priorities. Materials will be designed for a range of internal and external audiences, including new and existing donors and friends of Western, industry partners, government officials, researchers, faculty members and alumni and the general public. The Specialist will play a vital role in helping the university achieve its fundraising goals and build strong, positive relationships with key stakeholders.

Qualifications

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations or related program
• Master’s degree in the above fields is preferred

Experience:

• 5 years’ experience in development and fundraising communications, with responsibility for preparing impactful proposals and cases for six-figure donations
• 5 years’ experience managing development and fundraising projects that demonstrate effective writing, marketing and communications planning and content creation
  • Preferred: 
    • Experience working in development and fundraising communications for a post-secondary institution, non-profit, government organization or other large, multi-department organization 
    • Specific experience working in major gifts fundraising
    • Experience working with, and writing for, senior leaders and staff
    • Experience managing and updating websites and social media accounts

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proven skills and abilities working in development and fundraising communications (i.e., strategy development, project management, writing, interviewing, etc. specific to the field)
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills with proven ability to write, present, edit and organize thoughts in a clear, concise and well-organized manner
• Superior storytelling and inspirational writing abilities
• Strong news sense and ability to identify compelling stories and spokespersons from a variety of options
• Strong interviewing skills to help formulate the ideas from senior leaders, deans, faculty, researchers and staff leaders, donors and alumni to create compelling narratives and copy
• Ability to tie individual project goals back to larger university-wide goals and priorities
• Ability to ask questions and challenge appropriately when clarity is required for the proposed direction/strategy of the project
• Ability to write in both marketing and journalistic styles, and to synthesize a wide range of complicated subject matter in compelling ways to help educate, inform and inspire target audiences
• Strong project management skills with an ability to prioritize work, successfully carry out and track multiple projects and meet deadlines in a time-constrained environment
• Ability to produce high quality work while determining own priorities and defining realistic objectives and timeframes 
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft office, and relevant communications and marketing software to achieve outcomes
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive and strong relationships at all levels of the organization 
• Strong knowledge of the dynamics of working in university advancement and university communications environments is an asset
• Ability to work in a manner that models best practices in confidentiality standards

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.  If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

Interested applicants are asked to visit https://recruit.uwo.ca for further information and to apply online referencing job #35800. This position will be open until filled.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.