• Job Description

  Req#: DEVEL002602

  Who We Are

  Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation. Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library. Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

  About the Position

  Bring a storytelling and engaging approach to preparing a variety of written materials, including but not limited to donor appeals, feature stories, donor profiles, proposals, acknowledgments, feature stories, stewardship reports and digital communications. Edit and proofread various writing projects.

  Essential Functions:

  1. Write, edit, and proofread proposals, stewardship reports, solicitation letters, donor-related publications, acknowledgments, newsletter and web articles, campaign communications and other donor communications materials.

  2. Interview subject matter experts to creatively craft compelling messages that inspire engagement and philanthropy across a variety of communications channels including print and digital.

  3. Write and edit donor newsletters, annual reports, brochures, and, as needed, leadership remarks; prepare and edit web and email messages; assist with crafting and implementation of digital strategies.

  4. Coordinate and prepare donor communications materials as well as photography and design elements as needed (funding needs, status of fundraising campaigns, donor-related brochures, gift opportunity listings in Trend & Tradition magazine and other materials).

  5. Research and prepare individual and foundation proposals, working closely with colleagues across the Foundation and cultivating content areas expertise in keeping with the Foundation’s mission-centric messaging.

  6. Work with Development staff to determine the best strategies for effective cultivation and stewardship of donors; participate in Development Communications and other Development meetings as needed.

  7. Assist with editing special donor society materials, campaign materials, the Foundation’s Annual Report and Donor Registry and other materials as requested.

  8. Participate in reviewing and interviewing candidates for positions in the department; assist with orientation and training of new employees, interns, and volunteers, as needed.

  Required and Preferred Education and Experience:

  Required: A four-year degree in English, journalism or another field emphasizing required research and writing abilities. Minimum five years' experience in communications or related field.

  Preferred: Familiarity with donor databases and related systems. Development communications experience. Familiarity with Colonial Williamsburg or experience in another museum, historical/cultural or preservation setting beneficial.

  Qualifications:

  Proven writing experience in a variety of external communications formats, including longform and concise communications as well as print and digital written content. Outstanding communication and organizational skills and the ability to set priorities and manage time effectively. Ability to write and create materials for a variety of uses and audiences, and to synthesize and translate complex information into exciting and persuasive communications. Self-motivation, along with the ability to work independently while acting as a positive team member, are essential. Capable of managing and carrying out multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• About the company

  Experience the largest outdoor educational living museum in the country, through immersive and authentic 18th-century programming for our guests.

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