Senior Development Writer

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals, and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, Tallahassee, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

The Senior Development Writer (SDW ) is responsible for creating donor materials that serve the objectives of the Earthjustice donor journey. These materials support the organization’s ambitious fundraising goals and play a critical role in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of all Earthjustice supporters. Reporting to the Associate Director of Donor Communications, the SDW works closely with program VPs, attorneys, Communications and Marketing staff, and the entire Development department to craft effective donor-facing messages and engaging stories with a particular focus on major gift fundraising. Materials the SDW will produce include the annual report, donor reports and proposals, events and trip collateral, newsletters, fact sheets, brochures, invitations, program updates, cover letters, email messages, and website text. Beyond serving development objectives, the SDW must ensure that donor communications are informed, accurate, and consistent with the Earthjustice brand.

The SDW must gain proficiency in communicating about all of Earthjustice’s work, but will be responsible for building in-depth expertise in organizational matters in specific regions and programs, namely: Midwest, Northern Rockies, Rocky Mountain, and Gulf regions; and program areas of Biodiversity, Tribal Partnerships, Fossil Fuels, and Coal. 

The SDW also collaborates with the Associate Director of Donor Communications to streamline project management and workflow; develop new resources, tools, and best practices for the Donor Communications team; develop new message framing and communication vehicles; and train and mentor other development writers.

The SDW may work from our San Francisco, CA office or Remote from the United States. 

Responsibilities:

Strategic Donor Communications (65%)

• Work closely with the Associate Director of Donor Communications and other Development and program staff to plan donor communications projects.
• Collaborate with Development and Program stakeholders to create well-informed donor communications strategies
• Execute effective stakeholder management and communicate strategic approach to donor communications projects by producing effective project briefs
• Develop compelling and appropriate messaging for a variety of donors and prospects, and segments.
• Carry out a heavy volume of donor communications assignments on deadline. Assets in scope will serve the entire donor journey and cover a broad range of Earthjustice subject matter.
• Interface with and interview internal and external sources to develop narrative content.
• Work with the Donor Communications team to coordinate with the Communications department on content strategy in order to share information, collaborate on cross-departmental initiatives, and ensure consistency of organizational messaging and materials.
• Research and review material prepared by frontline Development staff, Foundation Officers, Earthjustice attorneys, and Communications and Marketing staff to develop and produce strategic, creative, compelling donor communications.
• Collaborate with Communications’ creative team to produce attractive and appropriate designed collateral.
• Monitor and meet publication deadlines in coordination with fundraising calendar.
• Collaborate with Donor Marketing and Engagement team members and Development staff to develop new message framing, collateral types, and communication vehicles as needed.
• Develop resources, tools, and best practices to enhance the Donor Communications team’s ability to produce high-quality materials within deadline constraints.
• Provide guidance and training to other development writers in developing and producing their written materials, and edit their work as needed.

Program Knowledge and Communication (25%)

• Become fluent in the work of Earthjustice regional offices, programs, and campaigns. Develop a working knowledge of Earthjustice’s key past accomplishments and history.
• Track daily environmental news reports and keep updated information on a wide array of environmental issues. 
• In partnership with the Associate Director of Donor Communications, act as liaison between the Donor Communications team and enterprise Communications Department to ensure framing and messaging around Earthjustice’s work, partners, clients, and key issues are consistent across Development and Communications.

Continued Learning (10%)

• Participate in organization-wide initiatives and trainings that contribute to the creation of a work culture that encourages and celebrates differences and equips Donor Communications to create collateral with a strong equity lens.
• Utilize internal and external resources to support a personal and professional development journey that increases awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Attend departmental and organizational retreats for shared planning, team building, and professional development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and five or more years of successful experience as a writer/editor in the Development field.
• Journalistic, writing, environmental, and/or scientific background preferred.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex legal and scientific material, translate it into compelling text, and communicate it clearly and succinctly.
• Ability to develop successful reports and other materials creatively.
• Ability to prioritize work and to perform effectively under the pressure of multiple deadlines. Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Exceptional ability to work and communicate effectively with a wide range of people across the organization and with partners, clients, donors, and the public as needed.
• Understanding of project management tools and best practices.
• Interest in environmental and public health concerns.
• Legal, environmental, and/or scientific background preferred.
• Demonstrate an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

Salary is dependent on experience and location.

Salary for San Francisco, CA: $83,300 - $92,500.

Salary for Remote locations varies: $70,800  - $92,500

We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity.

To Apply: 

Interested candidates should submit the following via Jobvite by January 31st, 2022 to be considered:

• Resume.
• Cover letter stating your interest or experience in writing and the environment.
• Writing sample of no more than two pages.

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies. Earthjustice only accepts resumes submitted for positions that are currently open. Unsolicited resumes, or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via the on-line application process (where available), will not be reviewed or retained.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership, and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other factor that is not related to the position.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.