New

Sr. Development Writer

Johns Hopkins University
United States, Maryland, Baltimore
Jul 20, 2025
The Writer II is responsible for creating an overarching strategy for and developing clear and effective content for internal audiences, including school/division/department leadership, the dean, faculty, students, staff, alumni, donors, and other members of the school community as needed. The Writer II develops a strategic internal communications calendar and creates the content which includes reports documenting the school's activities, presentations, and collateral to support leadership with the execution of the school's strategic goals, materials, that support development and fundraising efforts, email campaigns about school news, priorities, policies, and other efforts, and other materials that feed the overarching strategy. Working with areas across the school, they will also work on print and digital collateral for school events for a wide variety of audiences. This individual will help ensure the efficacy of communications between school leadership and faculty, staff, students, and other members of the school community and that the school's internal communications align with central university communications. The individual in this position must be self-directed and self-motivated, an effective writer and editor, and a creative and strategic thinker who can work on multiple high-priority projects concurrently with minimal supervision. This position plays a critical role in advancing the philanthropic missions of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Reporting to the Director of Stewardship and Development Communications, this position serves as the principal writer and editor for high-level development materials, ensuring donor communications are strategic, compelling, and aligned with both School and University priorities. This role requires strong collaboration across departments, deep storytelling expertise, and the ability to translate complex academic and scientific work into donor-centered messaging that inspires engagement and support. Specific Duties and Responsibilities: Report about the school/division/department, or specialized topic/area of expertise Participate in the development of reports and materials for external reviews Develop and write complex, substantial, and important feature stories; conceptualize research, and conduct interviews Responsible for web content, multiple publications, and other written pieces May be responsible for production schedules and publication budgets Identify and assess freelance contributors to ensure the appropriate knowledge base, skills, and adherence to style Provide news updates, announcements, and time-sensitive communications on a broad variety of topics Writing and copyediting for a variety of communications and marketing materials Responsible for print and web collateral for events Develop content to support fundraising activities/events/philanthropic proposals Create fundraising campaign messages and materials Develop various alumni communications Perform other related duties as assigned In addition to the duties described above, the Sr. Development Writer will: Collaborate on a high-level with internal and external stakeholders-including BSPH's central communications and marketing team, the University's Central Development Communications team, and communications leads in various departments and centers. The ability to navigate and build trust across these groups is essential for aligning messaging and producing high-demand donor materials. Play a central role in translating complex scientific and academic information into compelling, donor-facing narratives that support major philanthropic efforts. This storytelling ability is essential to advancing the fundraising priorities and driving engagement in the University's upcoming campaign. Serve as a project lead on high-visibility stewardship and communications initiatives, managing timelines, guiding strategy, and producing deliverables with minimal oversight. This includes campaign-related content development and leadership communication that shape donor perception and engagement. Oversee the strategic development and maintenance of the School's development webpages and digital platforms--crafting an annual content plan, refreshing materials, and ensuring consistency across digital channels. This responsibility is critical for building an online presence that supports donor acquisition and retention. Serve as a mentor to colleagues within the Development and Alumni Relations team, helping to elevate the quality and consistency of written materials in the office. This includes providing feedback and guidance to staff contributing to donor communications. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree Three years related experience. Writing samples may be requested during the selection process. Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional experience may substitute for required education, as permitted by the JHU equivalency formula Classified Title: Sr. Writer Job Posting Title (Working Title):Sr. Development Writer Role/Level/Range: ATP/03/PC Starting Salary Range: Minimum: $53,799 - Maximum: $94,399 (targeted salary: $83,000; commensurate with experience) Employee group: Full Time Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm FLSA Status:Exempt Location:School of Public Health - East Baltimore Campus Department name: 10001029-Development Personnel area: School of Public Health Total Rewards The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University's salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/. Education and Experience Equivalency Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job. Applicants Completing Studies Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date. Background Checks The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function. Diversity and Inclusion The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion. Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. EEOis the Law https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf Accommodation Information If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit https://accessibility.jhu.edu/. Vaccine Requirements Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry.This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/. The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly. The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.