Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

WashU seeks a strategy and operations professional for the position of Director of Strategic Initiatives for the neurosciences medical advancement team. University Advancement strives to advance the mission of WashU Medicine by creating a culture of philanthropy among grateful patients, faculty, staff and members of the community.

The Director of Strategic Initiatives is a pivotal leadership position that is responsible for partnering with the Executive Director of neurosciences medical advancement and their team to develop, manage and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that aligns the mission and objectives for their assigned departments such as neurology, psychiatry, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, and neuroscience (basic research). The Director is a strategy thought partner that leads cross-functional teams, plans and executes high-impact project management and operations, leverages data-driven insights and enhances organizational performance while driving continuous improvement. They foster meaningful relationships and connections with WashU Medicine, Medical Advancement and University Advancement through providing strategic support for faculty engagement and donor/prospect related activities including but not limited to: stakeholder communications, meeting facilitation and briefings, written communications (internal and external), data management, event planning and portfolio management.

This role requires exceptional leadership abilities, strong analytical skills, and a deep understanding of fundraising practices and trends or a related field. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in strategy development and implementation, project management as well as the ability to engage and mobilize stakeholders towards achieving fundraising goals.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Serve as subject matter expert (SME), strategy thought partner and project manager for the Executive Director’s portfolio of prospect/donor strategy, solicitations and team management in their assigned area. Implement annual operational plans (Chair/Center leader calendar, events calendar, communications calendar, OKR’s, etc.). Navigate and manage the development of donor communications, proposals, gift agreements and donor expectations with cross-functional teams. Partner as needed with strategic engagement team for donor stewardship related activities. Inform staffing and performance management.
• Actively seek, develop, and be able to articulate detailed knowledge about Department/Division/Center priorities in alignment with those of WashU School of Medicine. Maintain and manage Department, Division, and Center fundraising initiatives and gift tables. Oversee and manage reporting on all grateful patient-focused metrics, including faculty referrals, patient prospects at various stages of pre-qualifications, and other metrics as assigned. In concert with gift officer(s), develop Department, Division, and Center goals annually and broadly for the campaign. Maintain the list and strategies of top Department, Division, and Center prospects.
• Support assigned team with briefings and staffing leadership for meetings and events (local and away). Serve as key partner to assigned team in material assembly and meeting preparations for Chair, Division Chiefs, Center Directors, and other key faculty partner external-related activity. Manage development and distribution of all Department, Division, and/or Center newsletter and broadcast communications.
• Manage and coordinate all logistics of Department, Division, or Center -initiated events, as appropriate and in alignment with advancement of our mission, including but not limited to salons (local & away), St. Louis sporting events, donor-funded lectureships, and other cultivation related events. Implement and support on-campus donor/prospect visits.
• Manage all Department, Division, or Center-specific committees. For National Council, lead procurement and packaging of any material needed from assigned area. Manage recruitment/watch list for key engagement volunteer opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

• Normal office environment.
• Typically sitting at a desk or table.
• Travel as required to assist with both on-campus and off-campus events.

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