Writer/Editor, Donor Relations

The Donor Relations Writer/Editor advances Harvard Medical School’s donor stewardship efforts through high quality written communications and strategic collaboration. With a primary focus on a research and therapeutics portfolio, this position translates complex scientific and medical concepts into clear, compelling narratives that demonstrate gift impact and deepen donor engagement. The Writer/Editor manages a portfolio of approximately 50 narrative stewardship reports annually, provides editorial support on an additional 50 reports, and contributes to other key writing projects and digital stewardship initiatives.   Key Responsibilities:   Narrative Stewardship & Portfolio Management (approx. 50 reports/year)  • Conceptualizes, researches, and produces compelling gift impact reports for individual donors and affinity groups, with a particular focus on research and therapeutics. • Translates complex scientific and medical information into accessible, engaging narratives while maintaining scientific accuracy. • Conducts background research; gathers relevant content and data; collaborates with campus partners; and interviews faculty, staff, and students as needed to execute assigned projects. • Manages a personal portfolio of approximately 50 narrative stewardship reports annually, ensuring timely, high quality delivery. • Partners with gift officers and frontline fundraisers to develop and execute individualized donor stewardship plans for fund reporting.   Digital Stewardship & Platforms  • Utilizes the Donor Relations digital stewardship platform and related tools to produce, deliver, and track digital stewardship communications. • Collaborates with the Managing Director of Donor Relations and colleagues on the creative development and execution of digital stewardship strategies, particularly for research and therapeutics content. • Ensures digital content is user friendly, accessible, and aligned with Harvard Medical School’s brand and institutional messaging. Editorial Support   & Copyediting (approx. 50 reports/year) • Provides editorial and production support for the Donor Relations stewardship reporting program, including copyediting and proofreading approximately 50 additional reports annually. • Ensures clarity, accuracy, consistency, grammar, style, and tone across all written materials; helps maintain and refine style guidelines and templates. • Formats and produces reports within established templates and platforms. • Conducts reviews of stewardship materials to verify accuracy of donor and fund information and alignment with donor intent. Project Management & Team Contributions • Contributes to project management for donor reporting and digital stewardship initiatives, helping to track schedules, deliverables, approvals, and production timelines. • Completes special writing and editorial projects as part of the Donor Relations team. • Assists with and attends in person and virtual donor events as needed. • Performs other duties as assigned in support of Donor Relations and Alumni Affairs and Development. As part of your application, please include any additional materials that will help us better understand your qualifications and background, such as a cover letter, writing sample, project sample, or other relevant documents. These materials can provide valuable insight into your experience, skills, and interest in the role. Basic Qualifications: • Minimum five years of related professional experience in development communications, donor relations, science/medical writing, journalism, or a related field. Higher education may count towards experience. Additional Qualifications and Skills: • Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred. • Demonstrated experience translating complex scientific, medical,