Creative Manager

The Creative Manager - Philanthropic Communications is responsible for crafting the philanthropic voice and messaging to inspire and engage donors and stakeholders with the mission of the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU. This role involves developing compelling storytelling, managing end-to-end proposal creation and stewardship reports, researching institutional data and community needs to build strong philanthropic cases for support, and working with graphic design to produce high-quality materials that align with approved ODU and Brock VHS branding guidelines.

Philanthropic Messaging & Voice

Establish and maintain a consistent, inspiring philanthropic voice that aligns with organizational values and appeals to a wide range of donors.
• Develop and refine key messages that resonate with potential donors and enhance philanthropic engagement.

Content Development & Storytelling

• Research, write, and edit impactful donor stories, profiles, and testimonials to highlight the positive outcomes of giving.
• Interview donors, program beneficiaries, and internal stakeholders to gather authentic narratives that support philanthropic goals.

Proposal & Case for Support Creation

• Develop detailed, persuasive proposals and cases for support that demonstrate institutional needs and opportunities.
• Research relevant data, trends, and internal resources to build data-driven and meaningful cases that encourage donor action.

Donor Engagement Materials

• Create tailored donor proposals, acknowledgments, and communications that build long-term donor relationships.
• Collaborate with graphic design to produce visually appealing, brand-compliant collateral for campaigns, donor events, and individual donor outreach.

Research & Data Integration

• Conduct data-driven research to identify and articulate specific needs within the institution and community that align with philanthropic priorities.
• Integrate research insights into all communication materials to build credibility and context for donor engagement.

Collaboration & Compliance

• Partner with graphic designers, brand managers, marketing colleagues, and program directors to ensure final products meet organizational standards and align with brand guidelines.
• Maintain a close working relationship with development officers and other departments to ensure alignment of messaging across campaigns.

Project Management & Coordination

• Manage timelines, deadlines, and review processes to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality materials for donor engagement.
• Oversee the production schedule of all philanthropic materials and maintain an organized archive for future reference.

Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism or a related field preferred. Experience in philanthropic communications, development writing, or nonprofit marketing, with a proven track record in donor-focused content creation.

• Strong storytelling and narrative development skills, with experience interviewing and writing compelling stories.
• Ability to translate complex data and program details into relatable and inspiring content.
• Excellent project management skills and experience working cross-functionally with design, development, and program teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite or similar design tools is a plus.
• Strong understanding of branding principles and experience ensuring compliance with brand guidelines.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.