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Specialist, Development Communications

Henry Ford Health System
United States, Michigan, Detroit
Jan 30, 2026

GENERAL SUMMARY: The Specialist, Development Communications is responsible for leading planning, development and execution of editorial strategy designed to steward donors who contribute philanthropic funds to Henry Ford Health. Storytelling is key as the hired candidate will produce impact stories, reports and related stewardship materials for donors individually and multi-channel communications tactics. The focus for this role is create the Development Office publications, including impact reporting/stewardship activities, Endowment Report, Rounds, e-Rounds, McQuade Society newsletter and other stewardship publications and reports as needed. In addition, this role partners with the Donor Relations team on personalized and secondary acknowledgements created by Donor Relations team; updating of thank you letter templates; and donor recognition efforts, including writing and editing biographies for digital donor walls and other needs.

About the Henry Ford Health Development Communications Team

The Development Communications Team provides strategic communication services for Henry Ford Health's fundraising arm ensuring a consistent voice throughout the donor experience. Integral to the Development Office, the team of professional writers and a graphic designer is responsible for developing and implementing a communication strategy to achieve established fundraising goals in support of campaigns, principal and major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, donor relations, stewardship, fundraising events and more.

Aligned to the system brand, the team's scope of work includes strategic communications planning, consulting and creative direction; writing and editing; visual communications that incorporate graphic design and oversight, video and photography; event materials creation and/or review, talking points and remarks, and other event consulting as needed; editorial direction, writing and publication of broad-based communications like the donor e-newsletter, Rounds, e-Rounds and the Game On Cancer e-newsletter as well as endowment and impact reports; and implementation of digital, social media, video and print end products.

The Development Communications team proactively collaborates with the system communications teams, including marketing, media relations, social media, internal communications, creative services and web services. As the formal liaison to these teams, the Development Communications team works on behalf of the Development Office to achieve broader external communications goals.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

  • Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, English or a related field - or equivalent.
  • A minimum of three to five years of experience in public relations, communications or a related field, with increasing complexity.
  • Exceptional oral, written and digital communication skills. Deep understanding of brand voice and style, including the ability of how to infuse brand into storytelling. Health care experience preferred.
  • Excellent people skills - works extremely well with a broad cross-section of leaders and team members.
  • Must be a critical thinker, able to distill and communicate complex medical and other concepts across broad audiences.

* Solid understanding of digital communications, multi-channel, integrated marketing and analytics tools.

  • Able to manage multiple projects, accounts and complex issues with an orientation to strategic focus, innovation, creativity and attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Adobe experience required. Data, analytics and metrics understanding desired.
Additional Information


  • Organization: Corporate Services
  • Department: Development - Administration
  • Shift: Day Job
  • Union Code: Not Applicable

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