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Senior Development Writer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Wisconsin

Senior Development Officer

La Crosse, WI · On-site

The Senior Development Officer manages a dynamic portfolio, plans and conducts strategic ... Draft formal correspondence, proposals, and other written materials for assigned prospects.

CAIR LA

Senior Development Manager

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

Senior Development Manager Work Location: Anaheim, CA Term: Regular, Full-time Position Status ... Grant Writing and Overseeing experience with the goal to scale our funding * Demonstrated ...

CAIR LA

Senior Development Manager

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

Senior Development Manager Work Location: Anaheim, CA Term: Regular, Full-time Position Status ... Grant Writing and Overseeing experience with the goal to scale our funding * Demonstrated ...

Wealth Enhancement Group

Sr. Development Manager

$160K - $175K/yr

As Sr. Development Manager, you will drive innovative software solutions across the Salesforce ... Excellent written and verbal communication skills * Proven ability to manage and mentor a team of ...

ClimateWorks Foundation

Senior Development Manager

About the Role The Senior Development Manager is a critical component of a small but growing global ... Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Able to work well with funders, intermediaries ...

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Senior Development Writer information

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$56.5K

$103.1K

$170K

How much do senior development writer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior development writer in the United States is $103,091.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,000.00 and $124,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Senior Development Writer typically collaborate with fundraising and communications teams?

A Senior Development Writer works closely with fundraising and communications teams to craft compelling proposals, donor reports, and stewardship materials. Collaboration often involves participating in strategy meetings, gathering program information from various departments, and ensuring messaging aligns with organizational goals. These writers also coordinate with graphic designers and digital staff to produce polished materials that resonate with donors. Effective teamwork and clear communication are essential, as deadlines can be tight and priorities may shift quickly in response to fundraising needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Development Writer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Development Writer, you need strong writing, editing, and storytelling abilities, typically supported by a background in English, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with donor management systems, fundraising platforms, and content management systems is often required. Exceptional relationship-building, attention to detail, and project management skills help you connect with stakeholders and deliver compelling materials on time. These skills ensure effective communication of organizational impact, which is critical for successful fundraising and donor engagement.

What is the difference between Senior Development Writer vs Technical Writer?

AspectSenior Development WriterTechnical Writer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Communications, English, or related field; experience in development or grant writingBachelor's degree in Technical Communication, Engineering, or related field; technical writing certifications
Work EnvironmentNonprofit, government, or corporate sectors focusing on development projectsEngineering firms, tech companies, or manufacturing industries
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in organizations requiring grant proposals, development reports, and program documentationUsed in industries needing user manuals, technical documentation, and product guides

The main difference is that Senior Development Writers focus on creating proposals, reports, and content related to development projects, often in nonprofit or government sectors. Technical Writers primarily produce technical documentation like manuals and guides for products or systems. While both roles require strong writing skills and relevant credentials, their focus areas and industry applications differ significantly.

What does a Senior Development Writer do?

A Senior Development Writer is responsible for creating compelling written materials that support an organization's fundraising and development goals. This includes writing grant proposals, donor communications, case statements, annual reports, and stewardship letters. They collaborate closely with fundraising teams, program staff, and leadership to ensure that messaging aligns with the organization’s mission and appeals to donors. Senior Development Writers often manage multiple projects simultaneously and may mentor junior writers. Their work plays a critical role in securing funding and building strong relationships with supporters.
What cities are hiring for Senior Development Writer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Development Writer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Development Writer jobs? The most popular types of Development Writer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Development Writer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Development Writer jobs include:
Senior Development Writer jobs near you

Senior Development Writer

Success Academy Charter Schools

New York, NY • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Success Academy rating

4.9

Company rating: 4.9 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

504th of 549 rated elementary and secondary schools

Job description

Thanks for your interest in Success Academy! Running a large, fast-growing, and high-performing network of public charter schools takes a village - families, children, teachers, staff and faculty, advocates, and supporters alike. We are growing fast in New York and expanding to Florida, and we would love to welcome you to our community! We work tirelessly every day to ensure children have access to a fun, rigorous, whole-child education regardless of zip code or economic status. When you join SA, you play a part in giving every student who walks through our doors a fair shot at reaching his or her potential.
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Leader, External Relations and serving as a key member of the Advancement team, the Senior Development Writer advances the mission of Success Academy Charter Schools (SA) by authoring and/or editing compelling philanthropic narratives and other copy used in major and principal gift/grant proposals, solicitation materials for mid-level and direct response giving, stewardship reports/materials, bespoke donor correspondence, and similar documents - often writing on behalf of others. The incumbent will engage with executives and other team members to clearly articulate Success Academy's mission and impact through compelling and often bespoke storytelling and stewardship that inspires ever-increasing generosity among donors, institutional funders, and prospective supporters.
The Development Writer is a proactive, confident self-starter that thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment that values results. They are persistent and driven to succeed in advancing efforts to expand and retain a robust, engaged community of individual and institutional donors that enable SA to meet or exceed its ambitious goals to reinvent public education. Success in this role will require the following qualities:
  • Self-motivated, self-sufficient, and driven to lead and collaborate with others to achieve success
  • Detail-oriented and analytical
  • Strategic, proactive, and forward-thinking
  • Persuasive, outgoing, and confident with exceptional communication skills
  • Possesses the highest standards of personal and professional integrity; and adheres to and promotes SA's mission, culture, and strategic priorities.

Essential Functions:
Content Development: Writing and Editing
  • Brings the Success Academy story to life through compelling content that fosters engagement and inspires philanthropic support.
  • Writes and edits a significant volume of compelling and persuasive fundraising proposals, case for support and solicitation materials, and stewardship assets.
  • Develops, adapts, and customizes content that clearly outlines funding priorities and expected outcomes.
  • Ensures content is consistent in tone, style, and messaging, and aligned with SA priorities and aspirations.
  • Authors/edits bespoke donor correspondence.
  • Works closely with executives and members of the Advancement team to craft effective and compelling storytelling with fidelity to SA standards of excellence.
  • Partners with Advancement colleagues in developing compelling content for deployment across various donor constituencies, segments, and platforms in service for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship objectives. This includes serving as a resource to evaluate the writing of others.
  • Ensures that the department's editorial content is consistent with SA standards of excellence and quality and executed with precision, accuracy, and expedience.
  • Authors/edits donor newsletters and other updates to deepen engagement and advance fundraising and stewardship objectives.
  • Occasionally assists with the creation/editing of select content for special events, website updates, and digital/direct response appeals.

Stewardship
  • In close collaboration with CAO and Leader, External Relations, helps to coordinate bespoke communications with principal donors and other VIPs.
  • Drafts customized gift acknowledgements consistent with established protocols for major and principal gifts.
  • Assists Development team with implementing donor-specific stewardship plans and action and provides content to support these work streams.
  • Contributes significantly to the writing/editing of bespoke donor reports (in collaboration with CAO/Development team), including the annual Impact Report.
  • Collaborates with others across the organization to gather stories and data, translating them into impactful content that showcases scholar and other SA achievements and demonstrates the impact of philanthropic gifts.
  • Maintains record of distributed donor communications in donor database of record for reference by Advancement team.

Content Management and Project Management
  • Creates, develops, and proactively shares content that supports donor engagement and fundraising efforts and ensures consistent and meaningful messaging across platforms, tools, and messengers to support organizational priorities.
  • Integrates Advancement communication strategies with broader SA communications, marketing, and advocacy efforts, as appropriate.
  • Serves as primary steward of digital content resources, ensuring optimal systems, organization, accessibility, and intuitive navigation.
  • Tracks and manages proposals and other critical documents throughout review/approval processes with executives and other relevant stakeholders.
  • Creates and manages templates for proposals, decks, boilerplate language, and style guide(s) for the department.
  • Liaises with other departments/teams (i.e., Creative Agency, Communications, Advocacy, others) to facilitate coordination of content resources, communications calendar(s), and consistency/accuracy of content, including other media assets (e.g., photography, video, data visualization).

Other Administrative Responsibilities
  • Endeavors to remain abreast of SA programs, activities, accolades, and new initiatives to most effectively engage and/or steward donors to greater levels of support.
  • Utilizes and optimizes Raiser's Edge NXT database to effectively track and manage bespoke correspondence and stewardship actions, such as special acknowledgments and other VIP communications.
  • Participates in and helps staff SA/Advancement events, as needed.

Qualifications:
Education
  • Minimum Required: Bachelor's degree
  • Preferred: An advanced degree is beneficial.

Work Experience
  • Minimum Required: 4+ years of experience in persuasive writing. Experience writing for fundraising/development purposes strongly preferred.
  • Experience writing on behalf of executives with a broad range of voice and style is very beneficial.

Specialized Knowledge Needed for Performance of the Job
  • Demonstrated prior success in bespoke customer experience, donor engagement/stewardship, and/or donor communications.
  • Ability to adapt to a range of writing styles and produce outstanding written work on tight timelines with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Creative problem-solver;
  • Experience managing projects to specifications and to meet expected deadlines;
  • Knowledge of charter schools and the education reform landscape is beneficial.

Skills
  • Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
  • Ability to think strategically and contextually, and to anticipate the needs and expectations of manager and executives.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities and multiple, concurrent tasks, exhibit flexibility, and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to analyze and present data effectively, make decisions, and align efforts with priorities and opportunities.
  • Acts with tact and discretion, respecting confidentiality and proprietary information.

Nice to haves
  • Strong computer skills, including fluency in Microsoft Office and Google suite.
  • Familiarity with Raiser's Edge NXT or similar CRM systems helpful.

Other
  • Possesses a passion for the mission of SA.
  • Ability to travel locally, occasionally work after hours, and on weekends.

Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience. This position is not bonus eligible.
Compensation Range
$95,000-$120,000 USD
Success Academy Charter Schools is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. Success Academy offers a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth.
Privacy Policy:
By providing your phone number, you consent to receive text message updates from Success Academy regarding your application. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. View our Privacy Policy.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We actively seek applications from people of all backgrounds to strengthen our community and the perspectives needed to flourish in a multicultural world. Success Academy offers a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth.
Success Academy Charter Schools does not offer employment-based immigration sponsorship.

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