Senior Strategy Officer, Olin School of Business

Position Summary

Washington University seeks an advancement professional to join University Advancement in the position of Senior Strategy Officer, Olin School of Business.

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. Olin is well positioned to advance the campaign’s promise by leveraging the school’s strategic plan and its priorities of the Business of Health, Individualized Education, and Regional Partnerships.

The Senior Strategy Officer will report to the Executive Director for Advancement, Olin School of Business and will serve as a subject matter expert on Olin's priorities, progress and plans. The Senior Strategy Officer will collaborate with leadership, staff and faculty to articulate philanthropic funding opportunities. Partnering with generalist gift officers, the Senior Strategy Officer will translate these priorities to inform donor strategies for gift cultivation, solicitation, and closure. The incumbent will oversee the creation of proposals and other fundraising collateral materials in support of the School.

This role requires strong analytical and communication skills and a deep understanding of fundraising practices and trends in higher education. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in fundraising strategy development and implementation, as well as successful collaboration with colleagues from across departments, divisions or Schools.

The Senior Strategy Officer will play a critical role in developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that aligns with our mission and goals. This position requires strong leadership and strategic thinking skills, along with the ability to form relationships and work collaboratively with stakeholders. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in fundraising and a deep understanding of both traditional and innovative fundraising practices.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Advance Olin School of Business Funding Priorities

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, partner with Olin leadership and faculty to articulate funding opportunities for key audiences.
• Develop a deep understanding of key areas of distinction for the School as well as University and campaign priorities.
• Collaborate with Advancement Communications to draft strategic collateral, case statements, opportunity menus, and personalized proposals.
• Maintain school-specific resources and talking points for gift officer use.
• Understand and apply University and Advancement-wide policies that impact giving opportunities and proposals.

Develop and Execute Donor Strategies

• 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.
• Contribute to visit profiles and executive briefings.
• Serve as a Olin subject matter expert and/or proxy for the dean, leadership, or faculty in select donor meetings.
• Collaborate with Principal Gifts in coordinating prospect visits with faculty and senior leadership, if needed.
• Collaborate with Corporate and Foundations Relations team and Olin leadership in executing comprehensive strategies for corporate and foundation support for the school.
• Attend key academic and school events as a representative of University Advancement.

Support the School’s Comprehensive Advancement Strategy

• In coordination with the Executive Director, oversee the dean’s caseload and ensure prospects are moved efficiently and effectively through the donor cycle.
• Manage gift tables and prospect lists for Olin in partnership with University Advancement colleagues.
• Support relationships across University Advancement for Olin.
• Build awareness within Olin to the work of advancement and the process for partnership and ensure faculty are supported in their fundraising activities at the School (meetings, proposal development, briefings, etc).
• Build awareness within the donor/alumni community to the progress of the School and engagement opportunities, including events.

Operations

• Support the development of budgets for unit activity.
• Support the creation and implement annual operational plans (events calendar, communication calendar, OKRs, etc.).
• Support the team’s work with various volunteer committees including the Olin National Council, Olin Alumni Board, and Eliot Society Committee through meeting follow-up, engagement planning, and membership recruitment.

Perform other duties as assigned.