Alight (formerly American Refugee Committee)

Job Description

Fundraising Copywriter & Coordinator September 2022 | Remote Eligible – DC, NYC, Minneapolis preferred | Full Time Hello Hello! So you’re interested in joining us? Welcome, we’re happy you’re here. When you Join Alight, you’ll find… A team with deep experience in co-designing solutions that create new value around the world. We know we need to always be better, and we believe in the power and abundance of everyday people, everywhere, to change the world with us. A culture of radical accountability to our customers –as we help build a meaningful life for and with the displaced, we ask them what they want and then deliver on it. An organization that refuses to settle for anything less than delivering human-worthy services. If you are looking to be part of a living, breathing, ever-changing organization full of disrupters and doers, then read on! The Team You’re on a team ambitiously advancing the work of Alight by actively engaging donors, supporters, and partners in a way that is meaningful to them and promotes Alight’s work worldwide. We strive to represent the diverse communities we serve. Applicants who contribute to this diversity and those who bring lived experience with displacement are strongly encouraged to apply. The Role You connect with people to drive change. You understand that great copy is only as good as how it makes people feel. So, you meet people where they are, which often means telling a brief but powerful story that helps them understand and see how they could be a part of change. You are a changemaker. You spur people to action to create impact. Your words have the potential to make a very real and lasting difference for people working to build meaningful lives. You work with your changemaking Alight teammates around the world to refine and translate their work for other changemakers who can kickstart and amplify their efforts. You create content that deepens empathy, sparks joy, builds belonging and community, and drives powerful action. You comfortably vary voice and style and write clear, concise and persuasive copy. You improve existing content, design new content, and juggle multiple assignments at once. As a communicator, you lean toward authenticity and transparency, building trust rather than expecting it. Much of the team is based in Minneapolis, but we are open to candidates located in other parts of the country, preferably New York or Washington, D.C. Building a shared organization takes time and intention. We will always be becoming Alight, which means your work will evolve as well. For now, here’s how you could anticipate spending your time: Direct Response Copywriting & Coordination - 40% of time You’ll share the voices of Alight through a variety of mediums – direct mail, email marketing, donation acknowledgements, SMS, radio, and more – to maximum effect. You’ll work with the Campaign Director to design a direct response content calendar ensuring Alight content is relevant, timely and meeting the consumer of our content where they are You’ll conceive, write and gather all assets for regular compelling direct mail campaigns You’ll coordinate with graphic designers, printers and other vendors to produce mailings and other print materials You’ll produce periodic email appeals and Alight’s regular e-newsletter Provide information, write copy and create communications that give donors the specific information they’re interested in Create acknowledgements, messages, and call scripts that meaningfully connect our donors to the lives and people they’re touching and the impact they’re making You’ll work with the Campaign Director to launch other direct response vehicles You’ll coordinate with the Voice Amplifier to shine light and find a home/vehicle for Alight stories You’ll assist with writing copy for other efforts such as Alight’s website, radio spots, digital advertising, etc. You’ll provide program copy for annual fund events, galas, trips, etc. Connector Copywriting and Coordination – 40% of time Alight’s Connectors work with corporate, institutional and major donors to provide leadership support of Alight programming, launch and fund new initiatives, and respond quickly to emergent crises. You’ll work with Alight Connectors on specific projects and initiatives, learning the basics and collaborating with the team on how best to convey the story; You’ll work with global colleagues to gather additional information, testimonials, impact information, and more to support your story You’ll write persuasive, customer-targeted copy for Alight collateral materials needed to pursue partnerships and make asks; you may also help in drafting comprehensive and compelling email messages You’ll coordinate and engage relevant colleagues in the process of creating decks, proposals, and other collateral for special funding from foundations or other partners; create concept notes or summary materials to assist the team in the donor cultivation process You’ll help prepare short remarks, presentations, talking points for Connectors and other team members speaking at fundraisers or meetings You’ll do limited grant writing and report writing for foundation and institutional supporters Copyediting - 10-15% of time Supporting executive, fundraising, communications, and the donor services team. You’re Alight’s Chief Copyeditor! Colleagues from various functions will come to you to check their materials/writing for grammar, content. You’ll help them tighten their stories, remain focused on their intended audience, and ensure consistency with brand and strategic messaging You’ll provide boilerplates, blurbs, and bios your colleagues can easily grab and add to the projects they’re working on New or Interesting Projects/Progressive Responsibilities – 10%( 20% during Emergency Response) Lean into the things you love and spark your interest, within or outside your team. We need you to honor the work that you’ve committed to doing, but also know that when you are unleashed, so are we. Sometimes it’s ALL HANDS ON DECK. Bring your team spirit and willingness to pitch in where you’re needed in extraordinary circumstances. Anticipated travel – as much as 10% (including international) Qualifications These are “must-haves” when you join Alight: Open heart and open mind. You start by listening. You believe another person’s truth and it changes you. It unlocks your way of thinking in that moment, it opens your world. Curiosity. You are always learning. You ask why and why again. You know that change (big and small) is constant, which means your curiosity to learn is matched with adaptability to evolve. Trust. You believe that people do their best, are disciplined, and care about this as much as you do. You take responsibility for your part and know how to step back and give others the space to shine. We’re also looking for the following technical competencies:  Proven experience as a copywriter or related role; for donors, or B-to-C, a plus;  An ability to adapt content to a variety of styles and voices; Skilled and imaginative writer with an eye for detail  Experience with human-centered design a plus  Excellent organizational skills: the ability to work productively in a fast-paced environment + the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously  The ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects with strict deadlines  Excellent interpersonal skills: the ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically. Ability to establish productive relationships with all kinds of people  Flexible, flexible, flexible: we respond to opportunity as it arises and it rarely fits our schedule - The skills and drive to make a transformational difference as part of our team. - Creative problem solving skills: the ability to apply sound judgment and innovative ideas to meet challenges presented  Self-direction and motivation key  A keen interest in working with people to establish trust and engagement in Alight's mission  Can grasp details as well as the bigger picture  The ability to meet deadlines and keep a cool head under pressure  Proficient on PC systems, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Windows Outlook These are the things we’re aiming to find. However, we’re open to being surprised. If you embody the spirt of Alight, care deeply about the cause, and if you bring something else that’s special, then please reach out. A cover letter is required as part of the application so we can learn more about you beyond your resume! Benefits Borderless Team of 2,500 staff worldwide that sees possibility, celebrates moments of abundance, shares new ideas, and strives to do a better thing every day. Family Friendly – We know that you are a whole person with a life and a family. We honor this. In return, we expect that you will take ownership of your work and follow-through on your commitments; sometimes that means flexing your schedule and we’re good with that. Learning & Development – Access thousands of free online learning courses to take at your own pace and tailor to your professional goals. Health, dental, and MedEvac Insurance – We strive to offer the best-in-class healthcare plans to our staff each year. We cover 100% of the cost for your health premium and 75% of the cost for coverage for your spouse/dependents. Retirement – We contribute 6% of your salary regardless of your contribution amount, after one year of service. Generous Leave Time – Between vacation days, personal leave days, and holidays, you have ample opportunity to take time off when you need it. Alight We are on a journey to build Alight, a new platform of amazing people and organizations providing lifesaving services and creating breakthrough solutions for and with the displaced. WeAreAlight.org Alight is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status. Alight complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We strive to represent the diverse communities we serve. Applicants who contribute to this diversity and those who bring lived experience with displacement are strongly encouraged to apply.