"Senior Strategy Officer, Sam Fox School - University Advancement"

Position Summary

Washington University seeks an advancement professional to join University Advancement in the position of Senior Strategy Officer, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. 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. The Sam Fox School—which includes art, architecture, and the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum—is uniquely positioned to advance these campaign themes as a leader in art and design education.

The Senior Strategy Officer will report to the Executive Director for Advancement, Sam Fox School and will serve as a subject matter expert on the Sam Fox School’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 in order 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 and museum advancement. 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.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Advance Sam Fox School Funding Priorities

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, partner with Sam Fox School 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 Sam Fox School 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 the Sam Fox School’s Office of Research and Innovation 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 the Sam Fox School in partnership with University Advancement colleagues.
• Support relationships across University Advancement for the Sam Fox School.
• Build awareness within the Sam Fox School 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 Sam Fox School National Council, Eliot Society Committee, and Kemper Art Museum’s Art Collection Committee through meeting follow-up, engagement planning, and membership recruitment.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office working environment.

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at a desk.
• Travel as required on campus and assist with both on-campus and off-campus events.
• Some evening and early morning hours may be required.

Equipment

• Office equipment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Relevant Experience (3 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse constituencies within a complex organization.
• Excellent understanding of fundraising principles, techniques, and best practices.
• Strong commitment to ethical fundraising practices and a comprehensive understanding of relevant laws and regulations.
• Excellent leadership and management abilities, with a track record of effectively inspiring teams to achieve fundraising goals.

This position is located in St. Louis, MO and the targeted hiring range for this position is $75,200 - $95,000.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience:

Business Development Manager, Sales Executive, Or Related Role (2 Years)

Skills:

Active Listening, Analytical Thinking, Complex Systems, Confidentiality, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Data Analysis, Digital Platforms, Effective Listening, Fundraising, Fundraising Strategies, High-Integrity, Informed Decision Making, Leadership, Motivating Teams, Oral Communications, Organizational Commitment, People Management, Professional Integrity, Project Administration, Project Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Team Mentorship, Written Communication

Grade

G14

Salary Range

$75,200.00 - $128,800.00 / AnnuallyThe 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.