Proposal Writer
- Team: Central US
- Job Title: Proposal Development Coordinator
- Type: Full-time
- Location: Chicago, Hybrid Work (~2 Days Per Week Average)
- Reports to: Senior Vice President, Strategy and Operations
Please note: You must submit a cover letter for this role in order to be considered
OVERVIEW
CCS Fundraising is an international strategic fundraising firm that partners with nonprofits for transformational change. For seven decades, CCS has empowered many of the world’s greatest organizations across sectors to advance some of the most important causes in history. We plan, manage, and implement programs and initiatives that achieve fundraising goals and mission impact. CCS provides tailored support to more than 500 nonprofit organizations annually. Headquartered in New York, the firm has over 500 professionals and 18 offices around the world. Our people are our greatest strength. At CCS, you will join a diverse team of smart, passionate, and resourceful professionals who are driven by purpose and committed to performance.
UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE
All operations activities for the Central US region are coordinated from our Chicago headquarters. This team is currently seeking a professional to manage CCS’s regional sales support functions. The objective of this role is to ensure the production of compelling, consistent, creative, and professional digital, and when requested print, proposals, respond to requests for proposals, and presentation decks that both tell the unique story of CCS and differentiate us from other firms.
Ideal candidates will have a sincere interest in articulating how CCS can best be helpful in assisting nonprofits advance their mission and accelerate their fundraising efforts. The candidate should possess excellent writing, communication, research, and design skills to contribute to the development of materials and resources. Prior experience with RFPs, proposals, and/or communications are a plus. The role requires experience managing deadline-driven projects in a fast-paced team environment. A passion for contributing to the well-being of nonprofits and mission-driven organizations is a must.
While this individual will build specialization in CCS’s priority growth regions and sectors, they should expect to gain exposure to and work on a variety of project types.
Please note that this is not a sales or lead generating position.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Participate in proposal strategy and occasional lead calls, working in close partnership with the Central US Executive Team and Regional Market Leaders
- Respond to sales support material requests as assigned by the SVP of Strategy and Operations
- Develop and prepare sales proposals, presentations, and other supporting materials. This process can include, but is not limited to:
- Establishing internal deadlines to guide daily activity; monitor and track workflow
- Researching nonprofits to better understand their goals, priorities, and programs
- Writing, editing, designing, and preparing materials
- Locating and identifying strong images that convey the essence of their work
- Designing and recommending new and creative ways to tell the CCS story/scope of services/offerings through visually compelling and easy-to-digest print and digital documents.
- Updating and maintaining templates and common language for business development materials
- Collaborating closely with the sales executives to refine language
- Respond to requests from other CCS teams for approval of project descriptions
- Assist with any necessary business development and marketing activities
SKILL REQUIREMENTS
- Experience in fundraising or grant writing or Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Communications, Business, Marketing, English) preferred.
- Excellent writing skills
- Thorough proofreading skills
- Strong time management skills
- Advanced knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Creative presentation design experience - experience with InDesign, Photoshop, Publisher, and other graphic design programs a plus
- Ability to balance myriad tasks and deadlines efficiently, and with attention to detail
- Advanced research skills
- Ability to work independently as well as with a team
- Demonstrated commitment or interest in the nonprofit sector through professional, volunteer, or personal experience
Please note: You must submit a cover letter for this role in order to be considered