Senior Campaign and Proposal Writer

WRITER EDITOR 4 (004018)

UCPath Position ID: 41215658

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

12/11/2025 7:08:34 PM

Date Last Edited:

12/11/2025 7:08:31 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

6300O

Organization:

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Division Code:

6310D

Division:

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIV

Department:

404500 - DEVELOPMENT

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

41215658

Position Description ID

248837

UC Payroll Title:

WRITER EDITOR 4 (004018)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 23

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

41210542

Reports to Payroll Title:

Marketing Specialist 5

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40036987

Department Head Payroll Title:

Fundraising Manager 4

DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent establishes procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives in a broad area of work. Only the final results of work done are typically reviewed. Incumbent typically develops procedures within the limits of established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Campaign and Proposal Writer is the team's principal storyteller for high-stakes fundraising within the Campaign Content & Creative (CCC) team. This hands-on role partners closely with the Senior Executive Director and CCC teammates, Principal Gifts and Donor Experience teams, development leaders, and school/unit communicators to produce principal-level proposals and concept papers, cases for support, flagship donor features, impact stories, and select leadership communications. They will also directly supervise and mentor other Development writing staff – setting standards, reviewing work, and building capacity for campaign-quality storytelling. The focus is donor-centric writing that advances cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, translating complex academic and research initiatives into clear, persuasive communication calibrated to donor intent and stage.

The role is a key contributor to the development and build-out of UCLA's next comprehensive campaign, helping shape and extend the narrative across the institution. The Senor Campaign and Proposal Writer will also help codify editorial standards (voice, templates and toolkits) to improve speed, quality, and consistency across campus partners in support of a "common message, local accent" approach.  This position will collaborate with the Office of Strategic Communications on alignment points, such as major gift announcements, while remaining squarely responsible for donor storytelling. The ideal candidate brings strong instincts for message clarity, voice consistency, and audience engagement, along with experience working in campaign, development, or high-visibility nonprofit communications settings.

Content Development and Storytelling

1. Research, architect, write and edit principal gift proposals, case-quality materials and other high-level fundraising communications; package complex ideas into compelling, donor-ready narratives.

2. Lead long-form donor features and impact packages aligned to campaign priorities, partnering with teammates to adapt voice and tone across print, web, email, social, scripts, and other formats.

3. Develop select leadership communications tied to priority donor moments, as delegated by the Senior Executive Director and External Affairs leadership.

40%

Editorial Strategy and Messaging Alignment

1. Determine content and sources for publications and written work, conduct research and interviews (with multiple and sometimes conflicting sources, and ensure accuracy, clarity and effectiveness of written communications.

2. Participate in editorial calendar planning and content check-ins to help coordinate storytelling across channels and campaign phases.

3. Develop donor-voice guidance and reusable templates (e.g., proposal shells, one-pagers, story kits) to drive speed, consistency, and scalability across teams.

4. Supervise and coach other development writing staff, including assigning and reviewing work and supporting professional growth.

5. Ensure all content reflects UCLA’s campaign messaging framework; flag risks or inconsistencies and recommend fixes.

25%

6. Contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of messaging tools, editorial standards, and source libraries.

0%

Cross-Team Collaboration and Partner Engagement

1. Partner with and advise the Principal Gifts and Donor Experience team, frontline fundraisers, faculty/clinicians, and school/unit communicators to surface stories, interview sources, shape persuasive content and fulfill communications needs.

2. Coordinate with the Office of Strategic Communications and unit partners (e.g., Health Sciences) on brand/newsroom alignment for transformational and principal gift announcements.

3. Provide consultation and coaching to colleagues and unit-based writers on donor-voice and template use, sharing best practices.

4. Collaborate with and help manage agencies/freelancers when resourced for scripts or large creative deliverables  - providing direction, reviewing messaging, and ensuring alignment with donor-centric and UCLA standards.

20%

Quality, Workflow and Cadence

1. Uphold editorial quality standards (clarity, accuracy, inclusive representation); peer-edit team, colleague, and freelance work as needed.

2. Evaluate and measure performance for other development writing staff as assigned and ensure work meets established standards; make appropriate recommendations for increases, special recognitions/awards and professional development and growth. 

3. Work within the team’s intake, prioritization, and workflow system, honoring timelines and service-level targets for tiered requests.

4. Manage progress and proactively communicate risks, dependencies, and recommended trade-offs to leadership and other development officers/units.

15%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred

8+ years of experience in fundraising communications or related donor-focused storytelling.

Required

Proven partnership with frontline fundraisers and/or direct experience in a development/donor strategy role

demonstrating a clear understanding of how messaging supports cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Required

Experience supervising or mentoring writers/editors, with a track record of developing talent and a commitment to equitable feedback practices.

Required

Demonstrated experience and excellence producing principal and major gift proposals/cases and flagship donor features under deadline.

Required

Prior experience and skill as an interviewer across faculty/academic leaders, clinicians, donors, and institutional partners;

able to synthesize complex inputs quickly to inform persuasive, accurate, and tailored content.

Required

Advanced knowledge of the fundamentals of writing, grammar, syntax, style and punctuation with advanced skills to write, clear, lively, engaging, compelling and effective copy in a variety of styles appropriate to target audiences and the broader public.

Required

Strong editorial instincts with advanced knowledge of appropriate editorial style and publication guidelines; able to set standards and provide edits/coaching to peers.

Required

Cross-channel writing range with firm grasp of accessibility and inclusive language.

Required

Ability to write in a voice that is clear, warm, and confident – while adapting tone to reflect institutional, campaign, or senior leadership perspectives.

Required

Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills and an adaptive, solutions-oriented mindset; thrives in a fast-paced environment and adjusts quickly to shifting priorities.

Required

Advanced project management, organizational and proactive problem-solving skills; ability to work independently with a high level of autonomy, work quickly and accurately; provide proficient follow up and make effectively timely decisions under minimal supervision.

Required

Strong collaborative instincts and advanced communication and interpersonal skills; able to build trust with colleagues and partners and operate with discretion around sensitive donor and institutional information.

Required

Dedicated, passionate, resilient and results-oriented with demonstrated skill in succeeding at challenging assignments and producing work that is on target, highly polished and of a high standard.

Required

Committed to continuous learning and professional development as both a writer and strategic communicator.

Preferred

Familiarity with gift announcement workflows and newsroom coordination.

Preferred

Comfort translating scientific/clinical/technical content for donor or similar constituent audiences.

Preferred

Comfort leveraging AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency while protecting confidentiality and quality.

Preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Ability to travel as needed.

Ability to work evenings and/or weekends as needed.

Required

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Non-University Setting(s)

Location:

Wilshire Glendon offices

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical Skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.