At Houston Methodist, the Senior Development Writer position is responsible for producing clear, concise and engaging content for development communications. Working collaboratively with a team of writers, communications professionals and fundraising staff, this position crafts compelling and persuasive content for a wide variety of projects, including but not limited to case statements, proposals, stewardship reports, thank you letters, appeals, newsletter and magazine articles, promotional materials, brochures, and fact sheets and may involve meeting with and interviewing key internal constituents such as physicians, researchers, development officers and patients, as well as key external constituents such as donors and leadership volunteers.

The Senior Development Writer position communicates complex health care information in easy-to-understand language that relates compelling stories of Houston Methodist's focus on patient care, research and medical education. This position will utilize strong editorial judgment and skills in writing, proofreading and editing materials containing copy for a variety of audiences and communication channels - optimizing organization, grammar, structure, clarity and style and translates scientific/medical information into language that can be understood and easily accessible by broad audiences.

The Senior Development Writer position develops and implements strategic communications plans that support the Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation's mission and fundraising priorities. This position works independently, creates original content, and may lead and guide junior level writers and contract writers to gather, organize and analyze information from multiple sources to accomplish projects on time.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Works closely with fundraising staff, physicians, researchers, donors, and leadership volunteers to produce compelling pieces that appeal to and inspire the philanthropic community to support Houston Methodist patient care, research and medical education programs.

• Serves as a mentor to fellow writers and project managers within the Development Communications and other Foundation teams.

• Conducts interviews with internal and external stakeholders to quickly and accurately gather and craft informative and persuasive materials. Consults and advises fundraising staff regarding their communications needs and participates in developing communications strategies.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborates with the Foundation team and stakeholders to conceptualize and develop content for wide variety of projects, including but not limited to high-level, creative case statements, proposals, stewardship reports, thank you letters, appeals, newsletter and magazine articles, and promotional materials.

• Ensures messaging and content for intended target audience meet brand and editorial standards; seeks feedback on collaterals' impact and follows up with product improvements.

• Tailors written materials to inspire different audiences through a variety of channels. Appropriately utilizes empathy and emotional intelligence to interact with colleagues and convey meaningful messages to external audiences.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Writes with consistency in quality, tone and style, following Houston Methodist brand standards for content, graphics and design elements in all Foundation collateral. Seeks and incorporates feedback from key stakeholders into work product. May proofread and edit copy for accuracy, effectiveness and style for Foundation staff as needed.

• Prioritizes and meets project deadlines and ensures quick turnarounds in a fast-paced, evolving environment that demands frequent interaction with multiple colleagues across various departments throughout the process.

• Ensures finalized writing projects are catalogued in central repositories of content for future utilization.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Utilizes departmental resources efficiently.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Proactively stays up-to-date on fundraising best practices, institutional priorities and programs related to subject matter, and the art of writing.

• In partnership with Foundation staff, crafts new proposals, stewardship reports and other donor communications utilizing current case for support materials as resources.

• Proactively manages own professional development and completes My Development Plan (MDP).

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or a related liberal arts or business field

• Graduate degree preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Five years of experience in professional writing and editing

• Three years of direct experience in development communications at Houston Methodist with demonstrated proficiency may count toward total years of experience

• Development communications experience preferred

• Experience in communicating information in sciences or medicine to both broad professional and lay audiences preferred

• Experience in academic and/or health care environment preferred

• Experience in nonprofit fundraising campaigns or initiatives developing written materials preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Ability to interact with all levels of the organization

• Ability to manage shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to work closely with Foundation staff to ensure a strong integration of copy, concept and impact

• Demonstrated results in grant/proposal writing, promotional/technical writing and project management

• Demonstrated effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills

• Ability to work both independently of and cooperatively with team members

• Ability to gather information by means of interviews, database research, etc.

• Demonstrated outstanding writing, editing, and proofreading skills, including abilities to prepare materials for different audiences and purposes

• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects and produce high-quality results in a timely manner and to work both collaboratively and independently

• Knowledge of AP style

• Advanced listening skills

• Advanced Microsoft office skills and knowledge of multi-media formats

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist (HM) is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers.  HM consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, and seven community hospitals throughout the greater Houston metropolitan area.  HM also includes an academic institute, a comprehensive residency program, a global business division, numerous physician practices and several free-standing emergency rooms and outpatient facilities.  Overall, HM employs over 25,000 employees.   Houston Methodist is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide the best patient care and service in a spiritual environment.

In 2019 Houston Methodist and its physicians treat more than 6,333 international patients from more than 76 countries. Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services’ consulting and education divisions also provide advisory services and training and development to health care organizations around the world.