Advancement Programs Officer, Parent Engagement and Student Initiatives - University Advancement

Washington University in St. Louis; Clayton (MO); On-site; USD 53,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis seeks an Advancement Programs Officer, Parent and Student Initiatives, to join University Advancement and cultivate engagement among alumni, families, students, and friends through volunteer and annual giving opportunities.

Reporting to the Executive Director for Advancement, this role collaborates with Special Events, Alumni & Constituent Engagement, and Annual Giving to design, implement, and evaluate programs and events that connect supporters with WashU's

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Relevant Experience (2 years) in related role.

Responsibilities

• Engage Alumni and Parent Volunteers and manage volunteer groups and pipelines.
• Plan and execute engagement events with cross‑department collaboration.
• Support annual giving campaigns and donor communications.
• Assist in budget development and annual operating plans.

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Location

SAINT LOUIS, MO 63105

Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

Washington University seeks an advancement professional to join University Advancement in the position of Advancement Programs Officer, Parent and Student Initiatives.

University Advancement strives to advance the institution’s mission by creating a culture of philanthropy among alumni, families, students, faculty, staff, 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 Advancement Programs Officer will report to the Executive Director for Advancement, Parent and Student Initiatives and will cultivate the engagement of alumni, parents, and community members with WashU through volunteer and annual giving opportunities. The Advancement Programs Officer will collaborate closely with Special Events, Alumni and Constituent Engagement, and Annual Giving colleagues. The incumbent will support programs and events designed to engage alumni, parents, and constituents with WashU.

This role requires strong project management and communication skills and an understanding of annual fundraising practices and trends in higher education. 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 Alumni and Parent Volunteers

• Manage the W Club Executive Committee (the Athletics Eliot Society committee) and the Gephardt National Council.
• Support volunteer groups’ meeting programming, including related events, and agenda planning, if appropriate. Document communication and follow up from meetings and activities.
• Support and/or manage volunteer recruitment and the pipeline for leadership roles; manage volunteer terms and track giving.
• Assist in the recruitment of mentors for the Taylor Professional Success Program

Engage Alumni and Parents in WashU Activities

• Execute engagement events (e.g. receptions, Eliot events, reunions) in collaboration with Special Events, Class & University Programs, and Student Success 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.
• Act as a liaison for UA-Student Success collaborative events, such as Bear Trek receptions, Giving Day, and Summer Send Offs; and support the development of briefings.

Drive Annual Giving Support

• Partner with colleagues in Annual Giving Programs to support the University-wide annual giving strategy and promote opportunities for donors to support initiatives in Student Success and parents to support WashU.
• Support annual gift renewals and identification of donors through work with gift officers, strategy officers, and volunteers.
• Draft and/or edit school-specific messaging for solicitations, renewals, and annual Eliot letters. Support annual giving days and giving challenges and the development of messaging, Coordinate with the Division of Student Success on execution of giving days, student philanthropy, and social media strategies.
• Utilize GiveCampus for volunteer engagement and giving.
• Partner with Class and University Programs and Annual Giving Programs on student philanthropy strategy and execution.

Support Team Operations

• Assist with the facilitation of Days of Engagement, campus visits, and meetings for key prospects and volunteers in coordination with the Executive Director of Advancement and strategy officer
• Support UA requests for Student Success staff or student speakers
• 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 asassigned.

Working Conditions:

Job Location

• Normal office environment
• Ability to travel to various on- and off-campus locations

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement

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 (2 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver’s License:

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

More About This Job

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.
• Experience in volunteer management, event planning, and/or annual giving.
• Excellent understanding of fundraising principles, techniques, and best practices
• Experience with digital fundraising platforms.

This position is located in St. Louis, MO and the targeted hiring range for this position is $53,100 - $62,000.

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 (1 Year)

Skills:

Active Listening, Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Communication, Confidentiality, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System, Data Analysis, Digital Fundraising, Event Planning, Fundraising, Fundraising Software, High-Integrity, Implement Ideas, Learning Quickly, Nonprofit Fundraising, Organizational Commitment, Organizational Health, Problem Solving, Professional Integrity, Project Administration, Project Leadership, Project Management, Strategic Thinking, Volunteer Management, Work Collaboratively

Grade

G11

Salary Range

$53,100.00 - $90,600.00 / Annually

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.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [e-mail] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity or shared ancestry, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. As a federal contractor, the university maintains affirmative action programs to implement its equal employment opportunity policy for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended.