Executive Director of Advancement, Corporate Relations - University Advancement

Washington University in St Louis • Clayton, MO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director oversees the Office of Corporate Relations for the Danforth Campus within the Development Vertical of University Advancement and leads corporate fundraising efforts for schools and units affiliated with the campus. The role provides strategic leadership to a team of corporate fundraisers who advance Washington University’s priorities through corporate philanthropy by aligning corporate interests with university priorities and connecting institutional needs with corporate funding opportunities. Each team member, including the Executive Director, manages a portfolio of corporate donors and prospects.

The Executive Director partners with academic and administrative leaders and colleagues in Philanthropic Strategy and Business Intelligence to identify funding opportunities, strengthen fundraising readiness, develop proposals, and steward corporate relationships and gifts. The role coordinates with university corporate and foundation relations leaders and, as appropriate, corporate fundraisers on the School of Medicine Advancement team to maximize university-wide corporate philanthropy and engagement. The position reports to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Corporate and Foundation Relations.

This position is located in St. Louis, Missouri. It is generally performed in a normal office environment, with travel to on- and off-campus locations as needed. The work typically involves sitting at a desk or table and repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movement, with occasional lifting of 25–50 pounds. Office equipment is used.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Eight years of relevant work experience.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodations if requested and absent undue hardship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in corporate relations or development work concentrated in corporate relations, including direct interaction with corporate executives or officers during identification, cultivation, and solicitation.
• A record of success in a lead role securing corporate gifts and grants at the seven-figure level or above.
• Supervisory experience with professional and support staff.
• Experience supervising corporate fundraisers.
• Experience at a large regional or national organization or in higher education.
• Demonstrated success as a strategic thought partner working effectively toward development objectives.
• Desire and ability to collaborate with colleagues at all levels.
• Capacity to travel as needed for solicitation and stewardship.
• Ability to work inclusively with diverse groups of constituents and colleagues.
• Passion for higher education and understanding of complex institutions.
• Ability to represent the university professionally and effectively.
• Ability to operate effectively in a highly complex environment.
• Ten years of leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major- and principal-level corporate prospects.
• Create and manage strategic relationships with companies, focusing on their priorities and aspirations.
• Travel as needed to key locations for solicitation and stewardship.
• Supervise direct reports to build a fuller and more robust pyramid of corporate donors at every giving level.
• Establish team fundraising goals and coach, support, and mentor staff in achieving performance targets.
• Monitor portfolio and pipeline progress, guide solicitation strategies, and report fundraising results.
• Evaluate staff performance through regular meetings and annual reviews.
• Partner with the Executive Director of Corporate Engagement to advance the strategic vision for effective, mutually beneficial corporate partnerships across the university.
• Develop strategies to engage companies and corporate executives and drive collaboration across university fundraising and engagement teams.
• Partner with the Executive Director of Foundation Relations to provide faculty training and support for fundraising readiness.
• Assess initiatives for corporate philanthropic funding, prepare for prospective funder conversations, develop proposals, and steward funded projects.
• Communicate regularly with counterparts at peer institutions to monitor trends, streamline administrative practices, and improve systems and processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays or coinsurance.
• Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• Defined contribution 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, with employee and university contributions starting at 7% for eligible employees.
• Wellness resources, including wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, an employee assistance program, financial resources, and access to dietitians.
• Four weeks of caregiver leave to bond with a new child.
• Family care resources, including childcare and adult care resources.
• Tuition coverage for eligible employees and family members, including dependent undergraduate tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director