Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

This position builds and oversees a comprehensive principal gifts communications program that caters to the university’s most generous donors, including proposal design and writing, impact reporting, and stewardship material development to advance universitywide fundraising priorities at the highest levels. The position requires contact with the Executive Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, the Chancellor, Provost and other senior university leaders. The position delivers exceptional service to Washington University benefactors and plays a central role in setting and delivering principal gifts fundraising and engagement strategies and meeting program goals.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Leadership and management:

• Leads the Principal Gifts communications team.
• Sets the standard for excellence in writing and creative direction.
• Trains, supervises, and develops team members.
• Reviews and edits communications projects.
• Accountable for Principal Gifts communications team goals/deliverables.

Project intake and coordination:

• Evaluates project requests.
• Thinks strategically about the audience and how to creatively meet project goals.
• Determines project scope and timeline.
• Assigns projects to writers and designers in Principal Gifts and in Advancement Communications and Medical Advancement in collaboration with team leads.
• Coordinates closely with colleagues in Principal Gifts, Advancement Communications, Medical Advancement, and other teams in University Advancement.

Principal Gifts communications content production:

• Writes proposals for principal and transformational gifts
• Provides thought leadership and writing to translate new university or school priorities into philanthropic opportunities.
• Conceives and writes bespoke impact reports and other stewardship-related communications projects.

Serves as a thought partner for Principal Gifts leadership; works to maintain an excellent culture and climate within Principal Gifts.

Applicant Special Instructions:

Please submit 2-3 writing samples, proposals preferred, along with a cover letter and resume.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment

• Ability to move to on and off-campus locations

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table

• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement

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:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Relevant Experience (8 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

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

More About This Job

Applicant Special Instructions:

• Please submit 2-3 writing samples, proposals preferred, along with a cover letter and resume.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Certifications:

No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience:

Leadership (10 Years)

Skills:

Adobe Creative Cloud, Complex Systems, Detail-Oriented, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy, Interpersonal Communication, Leadership, Oral Communications, People Management, Problem Solving, Professional Writing, Project Management, Proofreading, Relationship Building, Strategic Planning, Team Management, Teamwork, Work Relationships, Written Communication

Grade

G00

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 CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu 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

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. 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, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.