Executive Director of Advancement, Brown School - University Advancement
Washington University in St. Louis
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Job summary
Washington University in St. Louis seeks an Executive Director of Advancement for the Brown School to lead strategic fundraising, donor engagement, and campaign execution. You will set priorities, oversee a senior team, and collaborate with academic leadership to maximize philanthropic impact.
The role requires significant experience in major gifts, fundraising strategy, and team leadership, with a focus on building a robust donor pipeline and stewarding high-level prospects.
Qualifications
- Record of significant achievement in major gifts and demonstrated skill in developing sophisticated fundraising strategies.
- Experience leading advancement teams and coordinating with senior academic leaders.
- Ability to develop fundraising priorities and align strategy with university campaigns.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Comprehensive Advancement Strategy for the Brown School and act as strategic adviser to the Dean.
- Oversee the Dean’s portfolio and top prospects; guide gift officers with tailored strategies.
- Develop donor cultivation and solicitation plans to support Brown School priorities.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63105
37.5
Washington University’s University Advancement team seeks a strategic and collaborative advancement professional to lead the Philanthropic Strategy team for the Brown School in the position of Executive Director of Advancement.
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 Brown School—with its 100 year history of improving the lives of others through research, policy, and practice—is uniquely positioned to advance these campaign themes as a national leader in social work education.
The Executive Director will serve as the chief strategist for Brown School advancement and oversee a team of advancement professionals who serve as subject matter experts with the objective of driving solicitation, cultivation, engagement, and stewardship strategies for the school's fundraising priorities. The team advises gift officers and oversees targeted strategic stewardship, engagement, and volunteer opportunities designed to build the donor pipeline.
The Executive Director will set the fundraising strategy for the Brown School, working directly with the Dean 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 with and philanthropic support for Washington University.
The Executive Director will report to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Advancement for Philanthropic Strategy, and partner closely with the School Leadership and University Advancement senior leadership team. The incumbent will sit on the Philanthropic Strategy senior team.
- Act as a strategic advisor to the 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 school's prospect pool development and management, in collaboration with University Advancement colleagues.
- Supported by strategy officers, manage the Dean’s portfolio and ensure the execution of appropriate prospect strategies.
- Direct the volunteer strategy for boards and committees, such as the school’s National Council and Eliot Society Committee, and ensure engagement opportunities support annual fund goals and align to Advancement and school priorities.
- Responsible for setting appropriate goals, and overseeing gift tables and progress reporting, in collaboration with University Advancement colleagues.
- Support relationships across University Advancement for the Brown School.
- Advise and partner with Brown 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 corresponding campaign priorities.
- Work with school-based stakeholders to be kept informed of timely developments that may impact on Advancement activities.
- Draft and 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.
- Lead the development of cultivation and solicitation strategies to build support for Brown School priorities and the University’s campaign initiatives.
- Oversee the management of the Dean's portfolio and the school's top prospect list and guide progress on these prospects.
- 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 Brown strategy officer, as needed.
- Partner with Principal Gifts to develop and execute strategies for prospects.
- Serve as a Brown School subject matter expert and/or proxy for the dean in donor meetings. Travel and attend events with the Dean or gift officers, 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.
- 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 in collaboration with the Donor Relations team and supported by the Brown School stewardship officer.
- Navigate and manage the development of proposals and gift agreements in collaboration with the appropriate WashU and UA partners that support the Brown School; advise gift officers on donor stewardship expectations.
- Lead the Brown School 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.
- Normal office environment
- Typically sitting at desk or table
- Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement
- 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.
Bachelor's degree
No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
Relevant Experience (8 Years)
Not Applicable
A driver's license is not required for this position.
- 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.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse constituencies within a complex organization.
- Develop detailed knowledge of key Brown School priorities and the University priorities that align with them.
- Manage campaign initiatives and gift tables.
No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Progressively Responsible Fundraising And Management In Advancement (5 Years), Fundraising With A Track Record Of Successful Solicitations Or Related (5 Years), Leadership (10 Years)
Accountability, Analytical Thinking, Budget Management, Confidentiality, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Ethical Practices, Fundraising, Fundraising Strategies, Goal Setting, Highly Developed Interpersonal, Leadership, Legal Regulatory Compliance, Major Gifts Fundraising, Meeting Organization, People Management, Relationship Building, Strategic Planning, Team Accountability, Team Goal Setting, Team Leadership, Working Independently, Workplace Productivity
G00
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.
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu 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.
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.
- 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 challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
- 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/
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, 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.
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