Content Writer

Summary:

Safe Horizon is currently undergoing a full rebrand, including look and feel, tone of voice, and a new website, and are seeking a Content Writer to help bring the new brand to life! The Content Writer will be responsible for writing content across a variety of platforms, with a primary focus on maintaining brand tone and voice across mediums and telling the story of Safe Horizon’s impact in ways that resonate with our primary audiences, especially with donors and prospective donors. This role requires the person to be a strong writer, adapt tone across a range of mediums, be skilled at storytelling through writing, and handle sensitive and emotional content effectively. The content writer plays a key role in not only executing content writing, but in developing strategy in conjunction with the AVP of external communications. The Content Writer will work within the Development and Communications team and their plans will support the department’s goals which align with organizational priorities.

There are three key aspects to the position. The first is being able to craft compelling content – often by including client stories – across a variety of mediums, with a focus on communications to donors and supporters. This role will also be responsible for owning brand voice and helping to maintain it organization wide. And lastly, all work should be informed by a solid grounding in content writing best practices, trends and research, as well as relationship building across the organization’s programs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Content lead and strategic thought partner

·       Serve as strategic partner to the AVP of external communications, and other key staff, to develop and execute content priorities.

·       Act as the key point of contact for external facing written materials, in partnership with the AVP of External Communications

·       Establish processes and protocols that support Safe Horizon’s content priorities and create systems for developing compelling content.

·       Understand, replicate, and shape the CEO voice in external communications.

Thought leadership and Op-Ed, report, and advocacy content

·       Craft compelling and unique thought leadership content, including leading the development of organization-wide values statements, Op-Eds, and external calls to actions following relevant breaking news

·       Work across the organization to identify narrative change opportunities related to Safe Horizon’s

mission and build holistic communications strategies to affect change.

·       Write content for a variety of report needs: annual report, impact reports, organization wide white paper and research reports (the latter in close collaboration with the research and evaluation team).

·       Use reports and data to shape thought leadership content

·       Work closely with the Government Affairs team and the Advocacy Lab to take potentially complicated material and translate it into compelling, moving content that the general public can understand and support

·       Coordinate with Government Affairs to amplify budget and legislative advocacy campaigns.

Donor communications

·       Write, maintain, and regularly update development materials, including Safe Horizon overview narratives, program overviews, appeals, and donor facing web content.

·       Write talking points for events for organization leaders, such as the CEO and Executive team

·       Interview clients and donors for compelling storytelling in donor communications and at events

·       Write donor facing content for newsletters, interest emails, and online features for donor web pages, annual reports, appeals, case statements, and event collateral

·       Create, maintain, and curate a database of storytelling content

·       Contribute to the management of content calendars for donor communications, appeals, and stewardship

·       Provide writing and editing support for development related materials, including proposals and reports for major donors and institutional funders

Email, print newsletter, website content, and marketing content

·       In the first year, work collaboratively with the AVP of external communications, the Chief Development and Communications Officer, and external branding agency to develop website content for new site

·       Produce compelling email series content across a range of needs, such as fundraising and campaign content, client stories, advocacy

·       Create any informational educational content that may be used in marketing materials, on the website, or in email content

·       Adhere to best practices for email content length, connection building, and calls to action.

·       Adhere to brand and messaging guidelines and create a cohesive email voice

·       Write compelling website content that helps to educate our supporters and the general public about issues related to experiencing violence and advocacy.

·       Source and write stories that appeal to donors and supporters for our quarterly print newsletter. 

Training/Mentorship

·       Provide engaging training and ongoing writing guidelines and best practice support to agency thought leaders so that they can be better ambassadors for the agency.

·       Recruit and manage writing interns (when/if needed).

Qualifications:  

Required Skills:

·       Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, creative writing, fine arts, or related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

·       At least 5-7 years’ experience working as a content writer professionally, with experience writing content for donor consumption, thought leadership, and / or writing social justice content

·       Strong writing skill

·       Deep understanding of writing compelling content for a variety of audiences, best practices, and trends, and the ability to make recommendations on voice and tone variation according to platform.  

·       Demonstrated success with writing a variety of content for a large, complex organization or movement

·       Experience creating the infrastructure and strategy to sustain new and timely content each year

·       Proven ability to develop an authentic voice for organizations through creative thinking and writing.

·       Ability to conceive, design and launch content for campaigns that align with strategic goals.

·       Ability to make meaningful connections with staff across large local organization with national reputation. Ability to work empathetically with sensitive topics.

·       Must be able to work under tight deadlines and in a very fast paced environment.

Desired Skills:

·       Bilingual (fluent in spoken and written form) in language of a major New York ethnic group, other than English. Spanish speakers and writers are strongly encouraged to apply.

·       Thorough understanding of related computer and systems for sharing and storing information

·       Knowledge of issues facing victims of crime or abuse and/or experience working with vulnerable populations.