Stewardship Writer

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

$80K — $85K *
Troy, NY 12180In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field
  • Two or more years of relevant communications experience in fundraising or marketing
  • Experience crafting stewardship communications and proposals for executives
  • Strong skills in proofreading and crafting diverse communication types
  • Proficiency in content management software and CRM technology

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with various teams on messaging and content development for stewardship materials
  • Research and craft targeted content for high-level proposals over $1M
  • Identify and create engaging stories from scholarship students for donor communication
  • Support the annual endowment report writing and communications efforts
  • Manage and enhance the senior class gift program aimed at student participation
  • Serve as a liaison for stewardship opportunities with high-level donors
  • Assist with expanding the acknowledgment letter process and developing donor societies

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and welfare program
  • Stable pay growth opportunities
  • Affordable retiree medical and prescription plan
  • Supportive work environment with a focus on employee well-being
Full Job Description
Stewardship Writer

Job no: 495963
Work type: Full Time
Location: Troy, NY
Categories: Staff, Development and Fundraising, CFHE

Job Summary:

The Stewardship Writer will develop meaningful and best-in-class content, creating engaging, personalized, and meaningful stories of impact about students, faculty, and donors. This position will be responsible for crafting donor-centric content and messaging that informs and inspires donors, connecting them to the larger strategic goals of RPI Forward and RPI's comprehensive campaign.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree in relevant field
  • Two (2) or more years related communications experience (writing, proposal development, event engagement) in a fundraising, stewardship or marketing environment
    • Demonstrated experience in crafting stewardship communications and high-level proposals for senior-level executives and/or leadership

Relevant combinations of education, training and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Stewardship and proposal writing experience (technical/scientific writing experience a plus)
  • Experience with creating meaningful engagement and stewardship opportunities for donors
  • Experience with developing impactful stewardship content for donors


Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Demonstrated ability to craft and proofread a variety of internal and external communications, including stewardship materials, proposals, acknowledgement letters, marketing collateral, endowment reports, and other related content
  • Ability to translate complex ideas and develop narratives that tell a larger story of impact
  • Attention to detail, and excellent written and oral communications
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
  • Proficient in the use of content management software (CMS), customer relationship management (CRM) technology and other relevant systems and software (e.g. Smartsheet, Ellucian, etc.)
  • Ability to apply project management skills and collaborate with a variety of different internal and external stakeholders
  • Planning, organizing and effective time management skills
  • Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet established goals and objectives
  • Ability to anticipate and solve problems


Representative Job Duties:

  • Work closely with the director and the Advancement Communications content development, design, and editorial teams on messaging, content, copyediting and proofreading, design, and content review for all stewardship communications and materials, ensuring copy tone and style are within brand and style guidelines. This may include, but is not limited to, annual donor impact reports, gift acknowledgements, proposal writing, the annual donor calendar, web content, and other stewardship communications or collateral
  • Provide custom, targeted research and content for high-level, $1M+ proposals. May be required to research and/or interview subject matter experts to inform stories
  • Responsible for identifying and developing scholarship student stories and content that engages and thanks our donors
  • Provide research and communications support to the writing/editing of the annual endowment report
  • Additional communications support for all stewardship efforts, including expansion of acknowledgement letter process and revamped donor societies, specifically a new consecutive giving society
  • Serve as lead thought partner involving all stewardship opportunities with Philanthropic Partnerships and Vice President of Institute Advancement for high-level donors in the stewardship phase
  • Execute and manage senior class gift program, with a focus on Young Patroons. Develop a class gift program for undergraduate students at the Institute with a goal of securing 30% participation from the senior class. This should include philanthropy education, solicitation of Young Patroons and other students, stewardship, and recognition of donors


Shift:

Business Hours with weekends or evenings occasionally required

Travel:

Local travel between campus locations only

Driving:

Incidental driving possible, but not required

Starting Salary/Rate:

Expected hiring range: $80,000 - $85,000 / yr

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate's salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate's qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer's good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions:

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact [email protected].

Job Posted Date:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information:

Rensselaer's Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).

Advertised: 22 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:

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