"Senior Advancement Programs Officer, School of Public Health - University Advancement"

Position Summary

Washington University seeks an advancement professional to join University Advancement in the position of Senior Advancement Programs Officer, School of Public Health. In January 2025, WashU launched the School of Public Health under Dean Galea’s leadership – the first School established at the University in 100 years. The School, one of the five pillars of the transformative With You Campaign, publicly launched in 2025 with a goal to pursue solutions to the world’s biggest challenges and make a more promising future for all.

University Advancement strives to advance the institution’s mission by creating a culture of philanthropy among alumni, students, faculty, and friends.

The Senior Advancement Programs Officer will report to the Executive Director for Advancement, School of Public Health and will cultivate the engagement of alumni and community members with the School through volunteer, recognition, and annual giving opportunities. The Senior Advancement Programs Officer will collaborate closely with Special Events and Annual Giving colleagues. The incumbent will oversee the creation of programs and events designed to engage donors and alumni in the new School.

This role requires strong project management and communication skills and a deep understanding of fundraising practices and trends in higher education, public health, and/or medical advancement. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in volunteer and event management, as well as successful collaboration with colleagues from across departments, divisions or Schools.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Engage School of Public Health Volunteers

• Manage the School of Public Health National Council and future volunteer groups such as Eliot Committee, mentor programs, school alumni board.
• Coordinate volunteer groups’ meeting programming, including related events, and support agenda planning, if appropriate.
• Support and/or manage volunteer recruitment and the pipeline for leadership roles; manage volunteer terms and track giving.

Recognize and Engage Donors in the School Events

• Develop and execute recognition programs for alumni and friends (e.g., Distinguished Alumni Award, professorship installations) and engagement events (e.g., alumni receptions, Eliot events, reunions) in collaboration with Special Events colleagues.
• Develop event objectives and outcomes; set event follow up/next steps for attendees in coordination with strategy and gift officers.
• Develop event programming and messaging, draft event invitations and program materials, and produce videos, if applicable, in coordination with Advancement Communications, Special Events, and external partners.

Drive Annual Giving Support for the School

• Partner with colleagues in Engagement and Annual Giving Programs to support the University-wide annual giving strategy and create opportunities for donors to support the School of Public Health.
• Support annual gift renewals through work with gift officers, strategy officers, and volunteers.
• Drafting and/or editing school-specific messaging for solicitations, renewals, and annual Eliot letters.
• Support annual giving days and giving challenges by design strategies, drafting messaging, and coordinating with gift officers and strategy officers to identify donors.
• Utilize GiveCampus for volunteer engagement and giving.
• Liaison with the respective school/program’s Marketing and Communications team to support advancement-related news stories, social media, and other content.

Support Team Operations

• Facilitate Fays of Engagement, campus visits, and meetings for key prospects and volunteers in coordination with the Executive Director of Advancement and Director of Strategy.
• Support the development of budgets for unit activity.
• Support the creation and implement annual operational plans (events calendar, communication calendar, OKRs, etc.)

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree

Work Experience:

Relevant Experience (4 Years)

Preferred Qualifications

• Value placed on organizational loyalty, commitment, pride, integrity, mutual respect, and collegial openness.
• Operates with a high level of integrity, confidentiality, and discretion.
• Ability to work with collaboratively with diverse constituencies within a complex organization.
• Excellent understanding of fundraising principles, techniques, and best practices.
• Knowledge of fundraising software, CRM systems, and digital fundraising platforms.

This position is located in St. Louis, MO and the targeted hiring range for this position is $65,900 - $78,000.

Education:

Master's degree

Work Experience:

Business Development Manager, Sales Executive, Or Related Role (3 Years)

Skills:

Active Listening, Analytical Thinking, Change Strategy, Confidentiality, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Data Analysis, Decision Making, Fundraising, Fundraising Software, High-Integrity, Leadership, Leadership Management, Motivating Teams, Oral Communications, Problem Solving, Project Administration, Project Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Team Mentoring, Work Collaboratively, Written Communication

Salary Range

$65,900.00 - $112,700.00 / Annually