Campaign Content Writer

Title: Campaign Content Writer

Exemption Status: Exempt

Department: Development

Reports to: Director, Foundation & Government Relations

Year-Round Full-time

Year-Round Full-time employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits:

• 2025 Chicago Botanic Garden Benefit Guide - Year-Round Full-time

Compensation Philosophy:

At the Chicago Botanic Garden, our compensation philosophy is rooted in our core values: Growth, Understanding, Resilience, and Trust through Transparency. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and appreciated.

Our objective is to create compensation and growth opportunities for our employees that are highly competitive, internally equitable and transparent. The foundation of our efforts is a straightforward approach that can be easily communicated by managers with defined pay ranges for all positions. When posting job openings, we share the minimum salary up to the budgeted amount.

The starting salary for new staff members is determined by considering the salary range assigned to the position and by reviewing the candidate's qualifications for the job as compared with job responsibilities. Prior work experience should be considered in determining the salary offer, provided that it is relevant to the job. Additional factors such as secondary language proficiency or advanced degrees that enhance performance may also be considered. A candidate's salary may exceed the minimum amount based on factors such as experience, additional skills (e.g., secondary language proficiency), or pertinent degrees that enhance the individual's contribution to the role but are not required. Opportunities for increased compensation are provided through referral bonuses, shift differentials, Thank You Pay, promotions, and periodic pay increases based on the Garden's overall performance and financial budgets.

Our total compensation and benefits package is people centric. We prioritize employee wellness across three pillars: physical, mental, and financial. Our goal is to offer innovative total rewards that support continuous professional growth, personal development, and provide the flexibility needed to balance personal and professional commitments.

Position Overview:

The Campaign Content Writer, reporting to the Director of Foundation & Government Relations, will support the Garden's fundraising efforts by researching, writing, and editing reports and proposals for current and prospective Garden donors. Donor audiences will include both institutional and individual donors. This role will play a central role in the development of content to support the objectives of the Garden's 2024-2028 Strategic Plan and upcoming fundraising campaign.

This position will collaborate with staff across the Garden's many program areas, including the living museum, science, learning, public programs, and community engagement, to create compelling written materials. While residing within the Foundation & Government Giving Team, this person will work closely with Principal and Strategic Giving and the Chief Development Officer.

The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated background developing reports and proposals in a nonprofit setting, as either a grant writer, development content writer, or in marketing or public relations. Strong project management skills, including internal communication and ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, will be essential to the role.

Candidates must provide two to three samples of previous work for full consideration.

Responsibilities

In the Campaign Content Writer role you will be responsible for the following:

• With the Director, Foundation & Government Giving and Director, Principal Gifts, manage a calendar of stewardship reports and proposals to major donors.
• Work with development and program staff to develop impactful stewardship reporting and effective proposals.
• Manage multiple assignments simultaneously, attend related meetings, and work efficiently and effectively within deadlines.
• Work with Director and Coordinator, Foundation & Government Giving, to refine and edit final documents for content, style, tone, and visual appeal.
• Potentially edit and proofread written copy from other development colleagues.
  

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• At least three years of professional writing and editing experience, ideally in a development setting, with Chicago Manual of Style preferred.
• A bachelor's degree is required. Ideal fields of study are English, communications, journalism, or related field or experience.
• Experience in developing content strategies and writing engaging materials for diverse audiences.
• Excellent verbal and written skills, with the ability to interface with coworkers at all levels.

Physical Demands:

Office setting. Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, and keyboarding. Use of office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and fax machines. Some requirements for lifting, pushing, or pulling items less than 30 pounds.

Why Apply?
Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.