Description
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is currently seeking a Director of Foundation Writing to join its fast-paced Development Department. The Center’s revenue from foundation grants has grown substantially to over $23 million annually; as such, the related requirements of an expanding portfolio of foundation funders is also growing. The person in this position will play a critical role in ensuring that the Center crafts compelling foundation proposals, tailored strategically to specific audiences, capturing complex policy issues and the Center’s impact in persuasive ways. The Director ensures all requirements for written development documents for foundations are met and align with the Center’s voice and its high standards for quality writing and presentation. The position is located in the Center’s Washington, DC office.
The Director of Foundation Writing will be responsible for managing a full slate of writing projects related to foundation fundraising, primarily proposals, and grant reports developed by others on the team, and for writing and editing some of these products as well. He/she will also help write new program concept papers for development as needed. She or he will meet frequently with the executive leadership team and with Vice Presidents overseeing various program areas and will contribute strategic thinking needed to frame descriptions of the Center’s complex policy work to demonstrate its impact, describe new bodies of work, and assure excellence in writing myriad products for foundation funders.
The Director will supervise the work of three full-time writers.
The Director of Foundation Writing who will report to the Vice President for Development, will work closely with senior level staff across the organization in the course of developing products. This is a senior level position that requires exceptional writing and editing skills, the ability to develop fluency in the Center’s various programmatic areas, and strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage other capable writers and their written products.
Essential Functions
- Oversee the full range of activities required to write, submit, and manage introductory materials, grant proposals, and reports to foundation sources, including developing strong knowledge of both the Center’s program work and funders’ strategic priorities;
- Write and edit written materials for foundation fundraising efforts; using both original content and materials generated throughout the Center;
- Supervise the current staff of three full-time development writers and their assignments;
- Manage internal communication with Vice Presidents during the process of developing and/or editing materials for foundations;
- Assure a current and accurate schedule of writing assignments and the internal review process;
- Identify opportunities for Vice Presidents and Program Directors to share their new work with our foundation funders outside of the required reports;
- Collaborate with Vice President for Development and the Center’s finance office to obtain the necessary budgets for proposals and financial reports required by foundation funders;
- Comply with all grant proposal and reporting requirements, with attention to the various needs of the many sources funding the Center;
- Organize and participate in calls and meetings with funders, as needed;
- Assist with other fundraising projects as requested.
Education and Experience Needed
- Bachelor's degree essential; graduate degree preferred;
- Minimum of 7-10 years’ experience working in non-profit development, with significant experience in writing for foundation audiences;
- Demonstrated experience managing teams and other writers;
- Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills;
- Ability to manage multiple internal and external deadlines;
- Strong project management skills and ability to coordinate multiple contributors to the development of written materials;
- Experience with Office 365 required; experience with SharePoint and Salesforce preferred;
- Knowledge of poverty issues and/or economic policy preferred.
Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits, including generous health, dental, and vision insurance options, as well as vacation, holidays, sick leave, and retirement benefits.
To Apply: Send resume with cover letter and salary requirements to: jobs@cbpp.org. Resumes without cover letters will not be considered.