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Director, Foundation Relations - University Advancement

Washington University in St. Louis
United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 18 May 2026
💰 $148,500/yr($84,200/yr$148,500/yr)

About the role

Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Foundation Relations, the Director is responsible for securing major gift level support from foundations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Washington University in St. Louis (WashU). The position raises funds for a diverse range of purposes including but not limited to research, facilities, programs, scholarships, and endowment with primary focus on the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences departments, centers and initiatives. The successful candidate will be strategic, thoughtful, collaborative, and experienced in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts and grants.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Fundraising: Identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of foundations and philanthropic organizations.

  • Engage in qualifications, strategy, relationship building, and proposal development for gifts or grants.

  • Partner with faculty, members of the philanthropic Strategy team, and fundraising colleagues to develop effective fundraising strategies that lead to well written proposals for Foundations, aligning these proposals with the Dean/Center director’s priorities and with overall university fundraising goals. May include being the primary writer on a grant or gift.

  • Develop and implement innovative plans for enhancing stewardship of foundation donors. Provide timely reports of grants from foundations that have made philanthropic gifts to the University.

University Knowledge and Partnerships.

  • Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the programs and research priorities being conducted by faculty within the schools, departments, and units for which he/she is the staff liaison, including the Arts, Humanities, and Social Science departments, centers and institutes of the Danforth Campus.

  • Conduct regular meetings with Philanthropic Strategy partners to identify research and programs at the university that align with foundations’ funding interests.

  • Once research projects are identified, work with faculty and academic staff to build and submit proposal(s).

  • Identify new viable prospects or proposal opportunities.

  • In collaboration with the Assistant Director, oversee the maintenance of the Office of Foundation Relations website, including the database of open foundation funding opportunities targeted to the strengths of the Danforth Campus.

  • Identify, secure, and attend meetings for leadership and faculty with foundation staff. Host campus visits by foundation representatives. Attend professional Corporate and Foundation Relations conferences.

  • Responsibly document all work with prospects and funders into the constituent relationship management tracking system in a timely manner in accordance with the policies and procedures of University Advancement.

  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

  • Normal office environment

  • May need to travel across campus

Physical Effort

  • Typically sitting at a desk or a table

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.

  • Development experience in a complex university environment

  • A deep appreciation for and the ability to articulate the mission and aspirations of the Washington University.

  • Desire to play a meaningful role in the University community and to share in its commitment to research and education.

  • Ability to work with collaboratively with diverse constit

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Company

Washington University in St. Louis

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