Scheduled Hours

37.5

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

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.

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office working environment.

• Travel as required to various events on and off campus.

• Some evening and early morning hours are required.

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at a desk.

Equipment

• 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.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Relevant Experience (5 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

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.

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

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

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

Grade

G15

Salary Range

$84,200.00 - $148,500.00 / Annually

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.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected] 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.

Pre-Employment Screening

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.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• 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

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• 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/

EEO Statement

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.