📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Development Writer
🔹 Company: Johns Hopkins University
🔹 Location: Baltimore, Maryland, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, On-site
🔹 Category: Education Administration Programs
🔹 Date Posted: July 18, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing strategic internal communications and content for various audiences
- Collaborating with stakeholders to create compelling donor-facing narratives
- Managing projects and providing mentorship to colleagues
- Overseeing the school's development webpages and digital platforms
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Developing and implementing an overarching strategy for internal communications
✅ Creating clear and effective content for internal audiences, including leadership, faculty, students, staff, alumni, donors, and other members of the school community
✅ Collaborating with areas across the school to create print and digital collateral for school events
✅ Ensuring the efficacy of communications between school leadership and other members of the school community
✅ Playing a critical role in advancing the philanthropic missions of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
✅ Serving as the principal writer and editor for high-level development materials
✅ Translating complex academic and scientific work into donor-centered messaging that inspires engagement and support
ASSUMPTION: This role involves working on multiple high-priority projects concurrently with minimal supervision.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree
Experience: Three years of related experience. Writing samples may be requested during the selection process.
Required Skills:
- Excellent writing and editing skills
- Strong storytelling and creative thinking abilities
- Proven ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders
- Experience with project management and content development
- Knowledge of fundraising and digital marketing
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with web content management systems
- Familiarity with the higher education sector
ASSUMPTION: Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional experience may substitute for required education, as permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $53,799 - $94,399 (targeted salary: $83,000; commensurate with experience)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plans
- Tuition remission
- Generous vacation and sick leave
Working Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the job posting and is subject to change. Benefits are typical for a university setting and may vary based on employee group and personnel area.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Johns Hopkins University is a world leader in education, research, and patient care, ranking first among U.S. universities in winning federal research and development funds. It was the first university in the Western Hemisphere based on the European research institution, with a mission both to teach and to advance human knowledge through discovery.
Company Size: Johns Hopkins University has 2-10 employees, with a total of 547 employees across all locations.
Founded: 1876, in Baltimore, Maryland
Company Description:
- Committed to teaching and advancing human knowledge through discovery
- Consistently ranks among the top universities in the U.S. and the world
- Offers a wide range of academic programs and research opportunities
Company Specialties:
- Medical education
- Research and development
- Patient care
Company Website: http://www.jhu.edu/
ASSUMPTION: Johns Hopkins University is known for its strong academic reputation and commitment to research and discovery.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring significant experience and expertise in writing, editing, and storytelling.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Development Writer reports to the Director of Stewardship and Development Communications.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with a typical workweek of Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a leadership role within the Development and Alumni Relations team
- Opportunities to mentor colleagues and contribute to the elevation of written materials in the office
- Chance to work on high-visibility stewardship and communications initiatives
ASSUMPTION: Growth opportunities in this role are dependent on individual performance, organizational needs, and available positions.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a primary location at the School of Public Health - East Baltimore Campus
Office Location(s): 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, US
Geographic Context:
- Baltimore is the largest city in the U.S. state of Maryland, and the 30th most populous city in the United States
- The city is known for its rich history, cultural attractions, and research institutions
- The East Baltimore Campus is home to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and other medical facilities
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm, with flexibility for project demands
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is collaborative and dynamic, with a focus on advancing the school's philanthropic missions.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with a panel of stakeholders
- Final interview with the director
Key Assessment Areas:
- Writing and editing skills
- Storytelling and creative thinking abilities
- Collaboration and project management skills
- Alignment with the school's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences
- Provide writing samples that demonstrate your ability to translate complex information into compelling narratives
- Prepare questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and the school's mission
ATS Keywords: Writing, Editing, Storytelling, Communication, Fundraising, Digital Marketing, Research, Mentoring, Project Management, Strategic Thinking, Collaboration, Donor Engagement
ASSUMPTION: The application process may vary based on the specific needs of the hiring team and the number of applicants.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Content management systems (e.g., Drupal, WordPress)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary based on the school's and the team's preferences and needs.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in all endeavors
- Respect for individuals in a diverse community
- Integrity in all actions
- Accountability for one's own work
- Pursuit of lifelong learning and intellectual growth
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to changing priorities
- Detail-oriented and organized
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with the company's values of excellence, respect, integrity, accountability, and lifelong learning?
- How comfortable are you working in a dynamic and collaborative environment, with a focus on advancing the school's philanthropic missions?
- How do you approach managing multiple projects and balancing competing priorities?
ASSUMPTION: Cultural fit is essential for success in this role, as it involves working collaboratively with various stakeholders and aligning messaging with the school's strategic goals.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple high-priority projects concurrently with minimal supervision
- Balancing the needs of various stakeholders and ensuring alignment with the school's strategic goals
- Translating complex academic and scientific work into compelling, donor-facing narratives
- Adapting to a dynamic and fast-paced work environment
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome through strong project management skills, effective communication, and a commitment to the school's mission and values.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Content Strategist or Senior Communications Specialist, but with a focus on fundraising and donor engagement
- In higher education, this role may be unique to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, given its focus on public health and the school's specific philanthropic missions
- Career paths for this role may include advancement to a leadership role within the Development and Alumni Relations team or transition to a similar role in another higher education institution
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and career paths may vary based on individual performance, organizational needs, and available positions.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a strategic internal communications calendar and creating content that supports the school's strategic goals
- Creating compelling donor-facing narratives that inspire engagement and support for the school's philanthropic missions
- Overseeing the strategic development and maintenance of the school's development webpages and digital platforms
- Managing high-visibility stewardship and communications initiatives, such as campaign-related content development and leadership communication
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are based on the job description and may vary based on the specific needs of the school and the team.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the typical workflow for this role and how it fits into the broader communications strategy for the school?
- How does this role collaborate with other departments and centers within the school, as well as with the central communications and marketing team and the University's Central Development Communications team?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days, and how will success be measured?
- How does this role support the school's upcoming campaign, and what are the key fundraising priorities?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how have previous incumbents approached them?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the role's day-to-day responsibilities, collaborative nature, and key priorities, as well as to assess the interviewer's understanding of the role and the school's mission.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences, with a focus on writing samples that demonstrate your ability to translate complex information into compelling narratives
- Prepare questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and the school's mission, as well as your fit with the company's values and work style
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
