Culture and Careers

The Senior Writer works closely with the Creative team to create compelling copy and other agency-produced projects. May be called upon to assist the Senior Vice President, Creative and Associate Creative Director on specific projects or given projects to take lead on from conception to completion. This includes projects for agency clients as well as corporate jobs and special projects. Will be involved in the development of client campaigns, including creative brainstorming, writing, working with designers and presentation to other agency teams. Does intensive client customization and works with other Creative team members to ensure client mandatories are reflected correctly in copy for campaigns. Will collect Resource from clients both during on-site visits and by phone, including testimony features, director comments, accompanying articles, etc. Acts as a sounding board for SVP Creative and Associate Creative Director and takes on any assignments and/or roles, as needed, to allow them more time for strategy and creative development.

• Writes copy related to client campaigns, as assigned; may include direct mail, newsletters, digital, PR, thank you letters, collateral, social media, or special projects, including major rewrites and client-requested revisions
• Completes intensive client customization, ensuring that client mandatories are correctly and successfully utilized in copy for each client campaign
• Collaborates with the design team to provide input and direction on imagery and layout to help create cohesive, strategic campaigns. May review concepts in copy and in art, and makes any requested changes as needed
• Collects resource from clients during video calls. May occasionally require traveling to clients’ locations for on-site visits.  Will incorporate interview resource into appeals, newsletters, etc.  Will maintain a professional and “client-sensitive” relationship with clients. Will often inform the Creative and Client Services teams about nuances of clients’ communication needs and/or customization requirements
• May be required to meet with clients (either in person, or primarily via phone) for the purpose of discussing creative needs or to conduct an interview with an Executive Director to get resources for a specific campaign
• As requested, contributes to SWIPE meetings (presenting new/interesting ideas for direct mail and digital campaigns)
• Attends Creative Brainstorming Meetings (in-person or by teleconference) and contributes to pitches for new campaigns
• May attend and represent the Senior Vice President, Creative, Associate Creative Director, and/or Creative Team at any agency meeting
• Collaborates with and/or assists the Senior Vice President, Creative or Associate Creative Director on any projects, as requested. Other related duties and responsibilities may be assigned and communicated
• Assists and engages in strategy development for all client campaigns. Reviews client results, and also studies and analyzes both in-house and industry best practices for successful direct marketing strategy as it affects creative development

• Communication Skills: Excellent writing skills are obviously a must. Must have experience in and knowledge of nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and advertising via direct mail, digital and other written mediums. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to analyze and interpret strategic and creative ideas are required. Must be a strong verbal communicator, presenting ideas and/or opinions on both strategic and creative direction of projects and campaigns, as well as the agency as a whole
• Relationship Building: Must have the ability to successfully interact with a wide variety of personalities both within the agency and with clients, at all professional levels. At times while collecting interview resource, you will be the “face” of the agency and need to conduct yourself in a client-sensitive, professional manner that further promotes the agency’s core values and business practices… deferring to Client Services’ efforts in building those relationships
• Reasoning Skills: Must include ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Must be an excellent multi-tasker and show strong leadership skills. Quick and efficient responses via email regarding questions, concerns or concepts is key in this position. Will be expected to exercise judgment and discretion in determining objectives and approaches to writing projects and campaigns
• Computer Skills: Includes an intermediate level and the use and knowledge of integrated computer systems and business-related software such as Microsoft Office including Outlook, Chrome (preferred web browser), as well as Google Drive (Docs, Spreadsheets, Slides) and Proof HQ/Adobe Workfront
• Decision Making: Includes an ability to make decisions about complex objectives and answer questions from proofreading team and other teams as well. Participates in decisions about the process and daily operations of the proofreading team
• Organization Skills: Organization is a must in this position. Requires strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask, prioritize and focus on multiple projects and assignments

Bachelor’s Degree preferred, preferably in English, Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, or related field

Five years of professional experience in fundraising, marketing, communications, or a related field

Experience with nonprofit organizations and knowledge of fundraising campaigns. Must have experience and proficiency in writing for multiple channels – direct mail, email marketing, paid digital media, alternative, outdoor media and more

Professional services office environment – standard office, telecommuting, client onsite visits

A Senior Writer will be required to work in the following environments: Standard Office, Telecommuting, Client Onsite Visits

If remote (working outside the Los Angeles area), will be expected to visit the Monrovia office as requested (four or more times each year)

The role of the Account Specialist is to provide exceptional support for the management of new and existing clients, to ensure client satisfaction through superior service, and to encourage account growth through careful relationship and project stewardship. The Account Specialist will report to and work directly with the Account Strategist to establish and cultivate the business relationship; gain and maintain a high level of understanding of the client’s service area, unique positioning, overall objectives, and requirements; and assist in the execution of a uniquely tailored direct marketing program. The Account Specialist will interact with clients to respond to inquiries, to provide program and product updates and marketing and communications updates, as well as campaign, technical, and other account-related support. The Account Specialist may also serve as project lead/subject matter expert on agency special projects – which may require advanced-level database work, digital asset/resource management, marketing and/or public relations tasks, or event coordination, as assigned.

• Partners with Account Strategist to attend to, meet, and surpass expectations for the account needs of assigned clients
• Demonstrates strong agency knowledge of clients and services as well as agency systems and processes for effective communication between creative, production (print and digital), and administrative teams
• Effectively set up accounts, open projects, build briefs, enter client campaign participation, and fulfill CRM billing requirements in Microsoft Dynamics
• Participates in the pre-creative and tactical process for the creative development of direct mail packages
• Navigates and performs assigned projects within the company’s e-Tools (project management systems and creative proofing programs/applications)
• Serves as a support contact for issues or activities that a client may encounter. Works and interfaces with various internal departments as needed. Serves on a strategic task force as may be determined
• Keeps team and supervisor informed of project status and needs. Adheres to project deadlines
• Attends client meetings via telephone or on-site. Occasional travel. Supports the Strategist with material prep as may be requested
• Initiates follow-up and preparation of materials following tele-conferences and on-site strategy visits. Works with the Strategist to draft and distribute conference reports
• Coordinates and performs client service administrative tasks related to assigned clients and projects
• Attends and participates in internal client status meetings. As requested, prepares conference reports and follows up on action items
• Presents in client status meetings as required to update the entire client service team on special project/task force progress
• Participates in trade shows/conferences, as may be required, by representing BDI and sharing information on company services
• Manages special projects or assignments as required
• Other team and client support as necessary

• Relationship Building: Must be friendly, trustworthy, knowledgeable, and professional. Must demonstrate ability to establish and develop relationships with prospects and serve as an ambassador of BDI. Positive attitude, good team player
• Communication Skills: Must demonstrate an advanced ability to read, analyze, and interpret agency documents, and respond effectively to inquiries. Must demonstrate good grammar, punctuation, and proofreading skills. The position requires regular contact both inside and outside the agency
• Reasoning Skills: Must demonstrate ability to define problems, collect data, interpret, and understand data and analyses, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Must be extremely efficient, organized, process-oriented, resourceful
• Computer Skills: Must demonstrate proficiency in the use and knowledge of integrated computer systems and business-related software such as Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Workfront, and Dynamics and quickly learn, understand, and seamlessly implement the operation of the agency’s e-Tools
• Excel Skills: The Account Specialist must be able to pass both the intermediate and advanced Excel assessment – demonstrating proficient formula use, an understanding of the questions data can answer, and the ability to read data within a spreadsheet. In addition to handling the formulas, the Account Specialist should also know how to debug them, work-around them, use shortcuts, customize, audit them, and use the formulas appropriately to pursue the answers the team is requiring
• Decision Making and Problem Solving: Must demonstrate strong decision-making, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills. Must be proactive, self-motivated, and able to take initiative, focus, and prioritize tasks
• Attention to Detail: Must pay close attention to detail and demonstrate excellent follow-through
• Must be punctual, flexible, and able to function well in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines

Bachelor’s degree ideally in analytics, marketing, business, or communications.

Ideally, two or more years’ experience in database management, print production, account service, project work, media, or creative/traffic departments in a marketing agency environment.

Professional services office environment.

Professional services office environment