Admissions and Development Writer

Reporting to the University’s Managing Editor, the Admissions and Development Writer produces compelling content that supports prospective student outreach, enrollment communications, alumni relations, and development efforts. As part of the Communications and Marketing team, this role collaborates with stakeholders to shape narratives that resonate with prospective students, alumni, friends, and donors. The ideal candidate is a thoughtful and creative storyteller who can translate complex ideas into clear, engaging writing. 

Education/Experience 

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, English, or a related field is required.  

• Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in media, an agency setting, higher education, or related field.  

• Working knowledge of WordPress, AP style, experience with project management and collaboration tools a plus. 

Knowledge. Skills, Abilities 

• Demonstrates creativity and originality in content development, a commitment to high ethical standards and integrity, and the ability to adjust tone and structure as needed.  

• Experience developing communications and collateral to support recruitment, fundraising, and alumni engagement across a range of formats, including website copy, emails, brochures, scripts, and stewardship communications. 

• Familiarity with best practices in donor communications and enrollment marketing, including audience segmentation, lifecycle messaging, and content tailored to drive engagement and conversion. 

• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with efficiency and attention to detail. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities  

Admissions Marketing & Enrollment Writing (40%) 

• Shape content strategy and create engaging, audience-focused materials across digital and print channels — including email campaigns, landing pages, brochures, text campaigns, social media, and video scripts — to support student recruitment and enrollment marketing. 

• Tailor copy for various stages of the prospective student journey, from inquiry to application to enrollment. 

• Collaborate with Communications and Marketing team, admissions, and academic stakeholders to ensure recruitment materials are accurate, strategically aligned with program strengths and institutional voice, and reflect student needs — incorporating SEO and accessibility best practices as applicable. 

Development, Fundraising, & Alumni Communications Writing (30%) 

• Create persuasive, donor-centric content—including fundraising campaigns, appeals, stewardship communications, event collateral, and digital materials—tailored to alumni and donor audiences. 

• Craft messages that highlight institutional impact and contribute to storytelling efforts that elevate alumni achievements and strengthen institutional pride across constituencies. 

• Ensure alignment with institutional voice and advancement strategies, working closely with the Office of Institutional Advancement. 

Audience Strategy & Project Management (20%) 

• Leverage feedback and performance metrics to adjust messaging and improve outcomes over time. 

• Support the development of integrated messaging calendars and campaign timelines. 

• Research and maintain familiarity with competitors, trends in higher education marketing, and audience behaviors to inform strategy. 

Collaboration & Institutional Support (10%) 

• Work collaboratively across departments to gather information, identify storytelling opportunities, and align messaging with institutional goals. 

• Support proofreading, brand alignment, and editorial consistency across communications developed by internal partners. 

• Contribute to internal team initiatives, brainstorming sessions, and content planning meetings.