Job Description
The Opportunity
We are seeking a skilled writer and editor to author and generate materials in support of Perimeter Institute’s advancement activities among private individuals, corporate partners, foundations, and institutions. The Advancement Writer will communicate to a wide variety of audiences and will inspire and motivate these audiences to take the call to action.
In addition to writing the case for support, the Advancement Writer will create collateral, briefs, discussion documents, proposals, impact reports, stewardship assets, digital copy, and mini-cases that align with the overall case for support. The successful candidate will be curious about Perimeter’s programs, initiatives, and people, and will become a knowledgeable champion for the organization.
Reporting to the Strategic Philanthropy Lead, the position of Advancement Writer is new in our organization. While embedded in the Advancement team, the incumbent will have a dotted-line reporting to the Publications Department, while also working closely and proactively with the Communications & Media team and the External Relations & Public Affairs teams, as well as with senior leadership, faculty, leadership volunteers, fundraising volunteers, and partners.
We envision that this position can be based remotely anywhere in Canada, with occasional travel to our campus in Waterloo, Ontario. We are open to candidates who wish to work part-time rather than full-time.
About Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
Founded in 1999, Perimeter Institute has quickly become a major international success story: an innovative, world-leading centre of research, training, and outreach in one of the lowest-cost, highest-impact areas of science − fundamental physics. Through visionary public and private support, sustained focus, and careful strategy, Perimeter Institute is now ranked among the top theoretical physics institutes in the world.
Perimeter Institute aims to set a global example in its research, training, and outreach excellence and foster an environment and culture unlike any other, providing fertile ground for cutting-edge research and breakthrough discoveries.
Perimeter is not a place for “business as usual” – they have an impatience and desire to discover, to recognize clearly when conventional approaches are failing, and to open and explore promising new avenues. They constantly challenge themselves to be agile, entrepreneurial, and interdisciplinary, and to look beyond narrow, overspecialized concerns towards the big picture.
Over 160 resident researchers and more than 1,000 visiting scientists a year work to unlock nature’s most profound secrets hidden deep inside the atom and far across the universe. Perimeter Institute is a place where bold ideas flourish. It’s a culture that thrives on collaboration and new perspectives, bringing together great minds in a shared endeavour to achieve breakthroughs that will transform our future.
In June 2017, Perimeter was named the Employee Recommended Workplace Award grand prize winner for the mid-sized category in the not-for-profit/government sector, lauded for its inspiring and family-focused environment. Employees cited the excellent exercise facilities, on-site yoga classes, peer mental health support, kid’s room, and frequent family activities among the reasons they considered Perimeter a great place to work.
Advancement at Perimeter Institute
Perimeter is supported through a public-private partnership – which unites federal and provincial government, individuals, corporations, and foundations in a shared venture to enable scientific breakthroughs, nurture scientific talent, and share scientific discovery with the broader public. The impact of philanthropy at Perimeter is valued and appreciated by the internal and external community alike.
The Advancement team of fundraising professionals plays a vital role in supporting Perimeter by promoting its research agenda to visionary donors who want to support transformative global research. The department’s approach is that of a bespoke boutique, focusing on customized interactions with a select group of prospective donors to form deep, long lasting relationships in order to secure ongoing significant philanthropic support. In 2014, the Institute undertook its first major advancement campaign with a very ambitious target of raising $100 million over ten years and in 2019 surpassed $50 million.
Additional Links:
Perimeter Institute Website: https://perimeterinstitute.ca/
Step Inside the Perimeter Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBnTr8rUWmY
Governance: https://perimeterinstitute.ca/governance
2020 Year in Review: https://perimeterinstitute.ca/news/2020-perimeters-scientific-year-review
2020 Annual Report: 2020 Annual Report
Perimeter Institute Fundraising Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXfpNWI8HtA
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Write and keep updated the Case for Support for the Perimeter Institute.
Write the campaign case for support for PI board and other leadership volunteers, including the Campaign Cabinet and Leadership and Emmy Noether councils.
Write collateral, briefs, discussion documents, proposals, funding opportunities and mini-cases that align with the overall Case for Support.
Make recommendations on print and digital assets in terms of priority and value, then develop them as needed.
Write campaign communications guide for Advancement, Marketing, and Communications teams.
Create Impact reports and other stewardship assets.
Write website copy and other digital copy (e.g., autogenerated thank-you’s, social media).
Collaborate with in-house graphic design for stationery and other print/digital assets.
General Responsibilities
Work proactively, openly, and productively with members of the Advancement team, senior leadership, faculty, leadership volunteers, fundraising volunteers, and partners.
Ensure transparency and information sharing, while building connections with other teams and departments – promoting a “Shared Consciousness”.
Contribute to wellbeing of PI – supporting colleagues, contributing to annual planning, and living PI’s Community Shared Values.
Provide motivating and inspirational interactions with PI current and potential stakeholders.
Keep current on Perimeter’s programs and faculty/research/student initiatives.
Be fully knowledgeable on key activities and be an inspiring champion for the organization.
Consistently work to expand knowledge and look at ways to promote creative thoughts, ideas, and new paradigms for giving and investing in Perimeter.
Assist in building the culture of philanthropy at Perimeter Institute.
Qualifications & Competencies
Education and Experience
Relevant experience writing and editing within a fundraising, marketing, or communications environment.
Post secondary education in English, journalism, marketing, or area directly applicable to funding and advancement activities.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
Strong analytical, editorial, persuasive writing, and reporting skills involving donor and sponsor acquisition and retention.
Familiarity, and ideally, education in science.
Impeccable writing, grammar, punctuation, and proofing skills.
Strong ability to think strategically, work proactively and collaboratively, and manage competing priorities in a complex environment.
Hands-on project management skills involving use of document creation and publishing programs (Word, Excel, Publisher, etc.).
Ability to look up information on a CRM. Perimeter uses Salesforce.
Ability to write for different media, especially digital and print.
Information for Candidates
KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.) has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Perimeter Institute. For more information about this unique opportunity, interested individuals are invited to contact Tara George, Partner / Lead, Search + Talent by email at Perimeter@kcitalent.com. All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence.
Deadline for submission: March 25, 2021 however, candidates will be reviewed and potentially interviewed on an ongoing basis, so early application is encouraged.
Instructions: Please send resume and letter of interest as a single attachment to the email address listed above. As well, candidates should provide three writing samples with a short summary explaining their role in the creation of each document: a case for support, a funding proposal, and some form of donor communication or collateral.
Perimeter Institute is committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
Compensation: The salary range for this position is anticipated to be approximately $70,000 to $90,000 per annum, however we are open to discussion with candidates possessing exceptional qualifications. A comprehensive suite of benefits are also provided.
Location: While Perimeter Institute is located in Waterloo, Ontario, we envision that this position can be based remotely anywhere within Canada. Travel to our campus for key meetings and events is expected several times per year and will be reimbursed per our normal travel policy.
Full or part-time: This position is available to be either a part-time or full-time position. Please specify your preference with your submission.
