"Executive Director of Advancement, Arts & Sciences - University Advancement"

Position Summary

Washington University’s University Advancement seeks a strategic and collaborative advancement professional to lead the Arts & Sciences Philanthropic Strategy team in the position of Executive Director of Advancement. Arts & Sciences is the largest school at WashU and comprises the core disciplines of the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

University Advancement strives to advance the institution’s mission by creating a culture of philanthropy among alumni, students, faculty, and friends. With the 2025 public launch of the With You Campaign, WashU is ambitiously pursuing solutions to the world’s greatest challenges—to make a more promising future for all. Arts & Sciences is poised to advance the campaign’s promise with new discoveries fueled by interdisciplinary studies, impactful collaborations, and the next generation of leaders.

The Executive Director will serve as the chief strategist for Arts & Sciences advancement and oversee a team of advancement professionals who drive solicitation, cultivation, and engagement strategies for Arts & Sciences fundraising priorities. The team advises gift officers and oversees targeted strategic stewardship, engagement, and volunteer opportunities designed to build the Arts & Sciences donor pipeline.

The Executive Director will set the fundraising strategy for the school, working directly with the Dean of Arts & Sciences and other academic leaders within the school, as well as University Advancement leadership, to identify and develop strategic funding opportunities and goals. The Executive Director will oversee the Dean’s portfolio of prospects and engage with key donors and volunteers to increase engagement and philanthropic support for Washington University.

The executive director will partner closely with the University Leadership and University Advancement senior leadership team. The incumbent will sit on the Philanthropic Strategy senior team.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Lead the Comprehensive Advancement Strategy for Arts & Sciences

• Act as a strategic advisor to Arts & Sciences Dean related to all advancement activities; serve as the lead contact for school colleagues with University Advancement.
• Establish and maintain strong and effective working relationships with school colleagues and serve on the Dean’s cabinet and committees, as requested.
• Oversee the Arts & Sciences prospect pool development and management, in collaboration with University Advancement colleagues.
• Supported by Arts & Sciences strategy officers, manage the Dean’s caseload and ensure the execution of appropriate prospect strategy.
• Direct the volunteer strategy for boards and committees, such as the school’s National Council and Eliot Committee, and ensure engagement opportunities support annual fund goals and align to Advancement and school priorities.
• Responsible for setting unit goals, and overseeing gift tables and progress reporting, in collaboration with University Advancement colleagues.
• Support relationships across University Advancement for Arts & Sciences.

Advance Arts & Sciences Funding Priorities

• Advise and partner with School leadership and faculty to identify school-specific fundraising priorities and related giving opportunities.
• Develop a deep understanding of key areas of distinction for the School, as well as the University, and campaign priorities.
• Work with school-based stakeholders to be kept informed of timely developments that may impact on Advancement activities.
• Review collateral, case statements, opportunity menus, proposals, talking points and other school-specific resources for approval and alignment to School and Advancement standards.
• Understand and apply University and Advancement-wide policies that impact giving opportunities and proposals.

Develop and Execute Donor Strategies

• Lead the development of cultivation and solicitation strategies to build support for Arts & Sciences priorities and the University’s campaign initiatives.
• Collaborate with generalist gift officers to develop individualized strategies for prospects that align to school priorities.
• Guide gift officers through scripting, consultation, and offering curated resources tailored to specific programs or initiatives.
• Provide guidance and support to the Arts & Sciences strategy officers, as needed.
• Partner with Principal Gifts to develop and execute strategies for prospects.
• Serve as an Arts & Sciences subject matter expert and/or proxy for the dean in donor meetings. Travel and attend events with the Dean, if needed.
• Collaborate with Corporate and Foundations Relations team in executing comprehensive strategies for corporate and foundation support for the School.
• Attend and staff key academic and school events as a representative of University Advancement.

Serve as Subject Matter Leader of Arts & Sciences for University Advancement

• Partner with Individual Giving Executive Directors to ensure they have effective school-based strategies for gift opportunities.
• Support unit-based training for gift officers.
• Serve as liaison for principal gift activity.
• Oversee fund administration for Arts & Sciences in collaboration with the Donor Relations team and supported by the Arts & Sciences stewardship officers.
• Navigate and manage the development of gift agreements with Donor Relations that support Arts & Sciences; advise gift officers on donor expectations.

Oversee Team Operations

• Lead the Arts & Sciences Advancement team in the Philanthropic Strategy vertical: set performance goals, provide mentorship, guidance, and regular feedback.
• Develop and manage budgets for unit activity.
• Develop and manage annual operational plans.
• Manage relationships with units across University Advancement; drive accountability for agreed-upon goals and deliverables.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions
Normal office environment

Physical Effort
Typically sitting at a desk or a table
Repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movement

Equipment
Office equipment

Required Qualifications

Education:
Bachelor's degree

Certifications/Professional Licenses:
No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:
Relevant Experience (8 Years)

More About This Job

• The ideal candidate will be an experienced fundraising professional with a demonstrated track record as fundraiser, manager, and strategist.
• A record of significant achievement in the area of major gifts and demonstrated skill in developing sophisticated strategies for planning, implementing, and administering complex gift situations.
• Excellent understanding of fundraising principles, techniques, and best practices.
• Strong commitment to ethical fundraising practices and a comprehensive understanding of relevant laws and regulations.
• Ability to operate with a high level of integrity, confidentiality, and discretion.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse constituencies within a complex organization.
• An ability to work successfully with administration, faculty, and volunteers as appropriate to secure gifts for the University and its various schools and programs.
• Experience with progressively responsible management positions, preferably in a higher education or related fundraising environment.

This position is located in St. Louis, MO.

Preferred Qualifications

Work Experience:
Leadership (10 Years)

Skills:
Accountability, Analytical Thinking, Budget Management, Confidentiality, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Fundraising, Goal Setting, Highly Developed Interpersonal, Interpersonal Communication, Leadership, Major Gifts Fundraising, Meeting Organization, Oral Communications, People Management, Problem Solving, Relationship Building, Strategic Planning, Team Accountability, Team Goal Setting, Team Leadership, Working Independently, Workplace Productivity, Work Relationships, Written Communication

Grade

G00

Salary Range

Base pay is commensurate with experience.The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.