Senior Strategy Officer, Sam Fox School - University Advancement

Washington University in St Louis•Clayton, MO

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Washington University seeks an advancement professional to join University Advancement in the position of Senior Strategy Officer, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. 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 Sam Fox School—which includes art, architecture, and the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum—is uniquely positioned to advance these campaign themes as a leader in art and design education. The Senior Strategy Officer will report to the Executive Director for Advancement, Sam Fox School and will serve as a subject matter expert on the Sam Fox School’s priorities, progress and plans. The Senior Strategy Officer will collaborate with leadership, staff and faculty to articulate philanthropic funding opportunities. Partnering with generalist gift officers, the Senior Strategy Officer will translate these priorities in order to inform donor strategies for gift cultivation, solicitation and closure. The incumbent will oversee the creation of proposals and other fundraising collateral materials in support of the School. This role requires strong analytical and communication skills and a deep understanding of fundraising practices and trends in higher education and museum advancement.. 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.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
Relevant Experience (3 Years)
Ability to work 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.
Excellent leadership and management abilities, with a track record of effectively inspiring teams to achieve fundraising goals.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree
Business Development Manager, Sales Executive, Or Related Role (2 Years)
Active Listening
Analytical Thinking
Complex Systems
Confidentiality
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Data Analysis
Digital Platforms
Effective Listening
Fundraising
Fundraising Strategies
High-Integrity
Informed Decision Making
Leadership
Motivating Teams
Oral Communications
Organizational Commitment
People Management
Professional Integrity
Project Administration
Project Leadership
Strategic Thinking
Team Mentorship
Written Communication

Responsibilities

Advance Sam Fox School Funding Priorities In collaboration with the Executive Director, partner with Sam Fox School leadership and faculty to articulate funding opportunities for key audiences.
Develop a deep understanding of key areas of distinction for the School as well as University and campaign priorities.
Collaborate with Advancement Communications to draft strategic collateral, case statements, opportunity menus, and personalized proposals.
Maintain school-specific resources and talking points for gift officer use.
Understand and apply University and Advancement-wide policies that impact giving opportunities and proposals.
Develop and Execute Donor Strategies 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.
Contribute to visit profiles and executive briefings.
Serve as a Sam Fox School subject matter expert and/or proxy for the dean, leadership, or faculty in select donor meetings.
Collaborate with Principal Gifts in coordinating prospect visits with faculty and senior leadership, if needed.
Collaborate with Corporate and Foundations Relations team and the Sam Fox School’s Office of Research and Innovation in executing comprehensive strategies for corporate and foundation support for the school.
Attend key academic and school events as a representative of University Advancement.
Support the School’s Comprehensive Advancement Strategy In coordination with the Executive Director, oversee the dean’s caseload and ensure prospects are moved efficiently and effectively through the donor cycle.
Manage gift tables and prospect lists for the Sam Fox School in partnership with University Advancement colleagues.
Support relationships across University Advancement for the Sam Fox School.
Build awareness within the Sam Fox School 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 the donor/alumni 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 (events calendar, communication calendar, OKRs, etc.).
Support the team’s work with various volunteer committees including the Sam Fox School National Council, Eliot Society Committee, and Kemper Art Museum’s Art Collection Committee through meeting follow-up, engagement planning, and membership recruitment.
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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