Senior Editor, Donor Communications

Title:                           Senior Editor, Donor Communications

Reports to:                 Director, Development Strategy

Job Summary:            The Senior Editor is responsible for effectively communicating the mission and impact of the Heritage enterprise to multiple donor audiences (individuals, corporations, foundations) in a way that builds relationships and inspires larger gifts to The Heritage Foundation, Heritage Action, and The Daily Signal. This position works on donor-facing materials including proposals, reports, pitch decks, mailings, digital communications, custom stewardship pieces and other high-impact communications as needed. The Senior Editor provides editorial guidance on donor messaging, positioning, and structure to strengthen fundraising outcomes. This position requires the ability to work collaboratively across departments and provide feedback in a constructive and respectful manner.

Job Duties:

• Craft custom major gift proposals, project descriptions, pitch decks, and other high-level communications. Specifically tailor content to individual donors using a “donor-centric” approach.
• Edit donor communications products for clarity, accuracy, donor-centricity, tone, structure, and alignment with Heritage’s messaging priorities.
• Provide editorial guidance on donor messaging, positioning, and narrative structure to strengthen fundraising outcomes.
• Build open line of communication with the enterprise’s policy, outreach, and marketing departments to stay up to date on current policy work and grasp implications for donor base.
• Collaborate with gift officers to better understand the motivations of and how best to communicate with high-level donors and foundations.
• Effectively communicate Heritage’s message in the “voice” of various Heritage trustees and executives.

Qualifications:

Education:               B.A. in Communications, English, Marketing, or related degree

Experience:           7+ years of experience in development writing

Communication:   Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

Technology:          Microsoft Suite; familiarity with AI-enabled tools and programs

Other Requirements:

• Understand and support the Heritage mission and vision for America, and the department's goals and objectives.
• Excellent grasp of English technicalities, including grammar and usage; familiarity with AP style guidelines.
• Ability to vary and control nuances of tone, diction, rhythm, pace and other stylistic features to make a piece of writing suit its purpose.
• Ability to proof and edit copy.
• Strong eye for visual design and marketing products, with the ability to evaluate layout, formatting, and visual storytelling to enhance donor-facing communications
• Ability to relate the aims of Heritage policies and programs clearly and persuasively to the philosophical concerns of donors.
• Ability to boil down technical aspects of Heritage policies and programs into language for a general audience.
• Manage and complete multiple writing assignments simultaneously and often under tight deadlines.
• Serve as a mentor to younger staff and teach others effectively.

Benefits and Salary:

The Heritage Foundation offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, best-in-class health care, vision, and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement funding, “take what you need” PTO and sick leave, 14 weeks of paid leave for new moms and 6 weeks of paid leave for new dads, among other programs.

The salary range for this role is $110,000 - $140,000 annually. This range is a good-faith estimate, and the final salary offered to a selected candidate depends on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, and other qualifications; internal and external market pay for comparable jobs; and level of hire based on aforementioned qualifications.