Careers

Title: Temporary Development Writer

Department: Corporate & Foundation Gifts

Duration: 6 months - End Date: February 28, 2026 (Possible Extension)

Employment Status: Non-Exempt, Full Time, 24-40 hours per week

Job Summary

Reporting to the Interim Director Foundation Relations and Strategic Initiatives, the Temporary Development Writer assists the Office of Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR) by handling various writing tasks that support fundraising efforts and grant management/stewardship. The Temporary Development Writer is primarily responsible for drafting foundation proposals and reports, engaging faculty and staff for information and as content experts and co-collaborators on proposals. This position also will be conducting prospect research and prospecting for new philanthropic grant opportunities. This role plays a vital part in strengthening the Institutional Advancement office's overall development efforts and donor engagement strategies.

Job Duties

• 60% - Writing grant proposals and reports. - (Essential)
• 20% - Research and compile information to develop proposals, reports, and stewardship materials, such as CFR proposals, renewal requests, and correspondence with foundation partners, in collaboration with Occidental colleagues. - (Essential)
• 20% - Editing, proofreading, and providing additional writing support as needed, including letters, concepts, case statements, and other materials. - (Essential)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, English, journalism, communications, marketing or other fields related to position responsibilities.
• Four years of progressively responsible experience in developing grant proposals, communications, marketing materials, report writing, and related activities. Experience conducting research.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize large quantities of information and concepts and clearly convey value to
  potential donors.
• Skill in organizing ideas and turning institutional objectives and messages into compelling cases for philanthropic support.
• Ability to convey messages through words, images, data and infographics.
• Ability to analyze, synthesize and organize data, and present findings in a comprehensible manner for different audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google drives/folders/forms, Adobe Acrobat, or any combination of productivity programs applicable to position responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and thorough; skilled at anticipating and preventing potential problems and handling a wide variety of tasks with efficiency and accuracy.
• Strong commitment to a quality work product. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally, in writing and electronically.
• Effective interpersonal skills as evidenced in the ability to collaborate with a variety of constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, inclusion & diversity.
• Demonstrated skill in adapting to and performing work effectively in high-volume, high accountability, confidential environment with multiple and changing priorities.
• Effective organizational, logistical, time management and planning skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks/projects simultaneously, prioritize and fulfill the functions of an office in a timely manner.
• Ability to self-motivate and work independently.
• Ability to provide effective leadership and training, and to work effectively and professionally across functions, disciplines, levels, and with diverse groups.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with academic, scientific, and/or technical subjects and a demonstrated ability to translate these to a lay audience.
• Knowledge of grant proposals, college fundraising and of contemporary issues and methods of higher education institutional advancement and fundraising.
• Experience working in a higher education environment. Experience with academic, scientific, and/or technical subjects and a demonstrated ability to translate these to a lay audience.

EXPECTED HIRING RANGE:  $40.00/hr. This position is not benefits-eligible.

Application Instructions: With your application, include a request for two writing samples (preferably proposals or other grant-related work). Upload this document under “Please upload any other supporting documents here."