Executive Director of Advancement, Olin Business School - University Advancement

Washington University in St Louis•Clayton, MO

7h•Onsite

About The Position

Washington University’s University Advancement seeks a strategic and collaborative advancement professional to lead the Olin Business School Philanthropic Strategy team 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. Olin is well positioned to advance the campaign’s promise by leveraging the school’s strategic plan and its priorities of the Business of Health, Individualized Education, and Regional Partnerships. The Executive Director will serve as the chief strategist for Olin 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 Olin fundraising priorities. The team advises gift officers and oversees targeted strategic stewardship, engagement, and volunteer opportunities designed to build the Olin donor pipeline. The Executive Director will set the fundraising strategy for the school, working directly with the Dean of Olin 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 University Leadership and University Advancement senior leadership team. The incumbent will sit on the Philanthropic Strategy senior team.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
Relevant Experience (8 Years)
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.

Nice To Haves

Fundraising With A Track Record Of Successful Solicitations Or Related (5 Years)
Progressively Responsible Fundraising And Management In Advancement (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

Responsibilities

Lead the Comprehensive Advancement Strategy for Olin
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 Olin prospect pool development and management, in collaboration with University Advancement colleagues.
Supported by Olin strategy officers, manage the Dean’s caseload and ensure the execution of appropriate prospect strategy.
Direct the volunteer strategy for boards and committees, such as the school’s National Council and Eliot 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 Olin.
Advance Olin Funding Priorities
Advise and partner with Olin 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 campaign priorities.
Work with school-based stakeholders to be kept informed of timely developments that may impact on Advancement activities.
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.
Develop detailed knowledge of key school/program priorities and the University priorities that align with them.
Develop School/ Unit based goals annually and broadly for the campaign.
Develop and Execute Donor Strategies
Lead the development of cultivation and solicitation strategies to build support for Olin priorities and the University’s campaign initiatives.
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 Olin strategy officers, as needed.
Partner with Principal Gifts to develop and execute strategies for prospects.
Serve as an Olin subject matter expert and/or proxy for the dean in donor meetings.
Travel and attend events with the Dean, 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.
Serve as Subject Matter Leader of Olin for 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 for Olin in collaboration with the Donor Relations team and supported by the Olin stewardship officer.
Navigate and manage the development of proposals and gift agreements in collaboration with the appropriate WashU and UA partners that support Olin; advise gift officers on donor expectations.
Oversee Team Operations
Lead the Olin 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.

Benefits

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.

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