Description

Position Summary
Washington University seeks an advancement professional to join University Advancement in the position of Director of Strategy, School of Public Health. In January 2025, WashU launched the School of Public Health under Dean Sandro Galea’s leadership – the first School established at the University in 100 years. The School, is 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 Director of Strategy will report to the Executive Director for Advancement, School of Public Health and will serve as a subject matter expert on the School of Public Health’s priorities, progress and plans. The Director of Strategy will collaborate with leadership, staff and faculty to articulate philanthropic funding opportunities that are specifically relevant to corporations and foundations. In close partnership and alignment with the corporation and foundation teams (both on the Danforth Campus and School of Medicine), the Director of Strategy will translate these priorities in order to inform identification of corporate and foundation prospects, grant formation and applications, and reporting.

This role requires strong analytical and communication skills and a deep understanding of corporate and foundation fundraising landscape and trends. 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 School of Public Health Funding Priorities

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, partner with School of Public Health leadership and faculty to articulate funding opportunities to corporate and foundation prospects and partners.
• Develop a deep understanding of key areas of distinction for the School as well as University and campaign priorities.
• Collaborate with Advancement Communications and the appropriate UA partner corporate and foundation relations teams(s) to draft and proposals and grant applications.
• Understand and apply University and Advancement-wide policies that impact giving opportunities and proposals. 

Develop and Execute Donor Strategies

• Collaborate with Corporate and Foundations Relations team, School of Medicine Corporate and Foundation relations team, and Office of Research within the School of Public Health in executing comprehensive strategies for corporate and foundation support for the School.
• Understand the expertise of both primary and secondary faculty in order to build teams to respond to large and complex RFPs from foundations.
• Contribute strategy to visit briefings and executive profiles.
• Serve as a School of Public Health subject matter expert and/or proxy for faculty in select meetings.
• Regularly meet with primary and secondary faculty to understand their research priorities and goals and help translate their work to C&F prospects.
• Attend key academic and school events as a representative of University Advancement to better understand the research underway. 

Support the School’s Comprehensive Advancement Strategy

• In coordination with the Executive Director, oversee the School’s corporate and foundation caseload.
• Support relationships across University Advancement for the School of Public Health
• Build awareness within the School of Public Health 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 corporate and foundation 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.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree
• Work Experience: Relevant Experience (5 Years)

More About This Job
Preferred Qualifications:

• Value placed on organizational loyalty, commitment, pride, integrity, mutual respect, and collegial openness.
• Proven track record in successfully developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies.
• Ability to operate 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.
• Strong commitment to ethical fundraising practices and a comprehensive understanding of relevant laws and regulations.
• Track record of effectively leading and inspiring teams to achieve fundraising goals.
• Education: Master's degree
• Work Experience: Business Development Manager, Sales Executive, Or Related Role (4 Years) 
• Skills: Active Listening, Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Analyze Information, Communication, Confidentiality, Corporate Fundraising, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Data Analysis, Data-Driven Decision Making, Decision Making, Digital Fundraising, Experience Management, Fundraising, Fundraising Software, Goal Attainment, High-Integrity, Leadership, Motivating Teams, Problem Solving, Project Administration, Project Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Team Mentorship, Work Collaboratively

This position is located in St. Louis, MO and the targeted hiring range for this position is $84,200 - $115,000.