Scheduled Hours
37.5
Position Summary
The Executive Director of Strategy & Operations serves as a key member of the Vice Chancellor for Medical Advancement’s senior leadership team, providing strategic and operational oversight across all facets of the medical advancement enterprise. This leader ensures the seamless integration of systems via the donor CRM database, business processes, and strategic initiatives that support Medical Advancement’s ambitious fundraising and engagement goals.
Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor, the Executive Director oversees six direct reports, including an Associate Director and a Coordinator who manage departmental operations, as well as four Strategic Initiatives team members who collaborate with senior leadership to drive strategic planning and implementation in support of service line fundraising goals. The role demands a high degree of operational acumen, strategic vision, and cross-functional collaboration.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
- Advancement Operations and Data/Reporting Strategy
- Oversee all operational functions supporting medical advancement, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and alignment with team priorities.
- Supervise the Associate Director of Strategy and Operations, ensuring high-quality and timely tracking and reporting from the CRM donor database and other necessary data-related tools for leadership decision-making.
- Partner and collaborate with the Business Intelligence team in University Advancement to ensure data integrity, streamlined business processes, and enhance system capabilities in the CRM database (Salesforce)
- Partner and collaborate with other University Advancement central services including but not limited to: Principal Gifts, Business Intelligence, Prospect Management and Communications teams as it relates to supporting the department’s strategy and operation’s needs.
- Streamline business processes by leading continuous improvement and enhancement initiatives related to workflow, onboarding, and operational policies.
- Strategic Initiatives Leadership
- Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Vice Chancellor on emerging opportunities and cross-departmental collaborations.
- Lead the Strategic Initiatives team that provides high-level project management support for advancement efforts for the Vice Chancellor’s office, Medicine & Surgery (MedSurg), Neurosciences, and the Siteman Cancer & Reproductive Health teams
- Align resources and team focus and processes based on fundraising priorities and strategies in close partnership with the senior leaders of these teams.
- Medicine National Council Planning and Strategy
- Partner with the Vice Chancellor on the strategic design and execution of bi-annual Medicine National Council meetings, including any task force meetings as needed.
- Oversee communications, logistics, agendas, and materials to ensure a high-impact volunteer experience.
- Partner with the University Special Events team on the execution of the annual Dean’s Medal awards event, taking place at the autumn National Council Dinner.
- Maintain up-to-date council membership roster, track prospective members, and coordinate outreach and engagement communications with all members.
- Staff Engagement and Organizational Culture
- Oversee planning and execution of monthly Medical Advancement All-Staff meetings in partnership with the Medical Advancement Senior Leadership Team.
- Partner with the Vice Chancellor to develop and curate agendas for Senior Leadership meetings, ensuring that strategic vision, management priorities, and planning discussions are regularly reviewed, aligned and advanced.
- Lead the planning and implementation of the annual Medical Advancement summer staff retreat, fostering community, culture, team alignment, and professional development.
- Lead planning and implementation of Medical Advancement Senior Leadership Team’s bi-annual team retreats
- Develop internal communication strategies that strengthen team cohesion, shared purpose, and focus on mission.
- Manage strategic planning and execution for any department-wide change management initiatives for Medical Advancement in partnership with the Vice Chancellor and University Advancement Administration as needed
- Leadership and Organizational Management
- Serve as a core member of the Vice Chancellor’s senior leadership team, contributing to overall strategy, budget management, and goal setting.
- Supervise and mentor six direct reports, fostering professional growth, accountability, and collaboration.
- Represent the Vice Chancellor and Medical Advancement in cross-campus working groups and university-wide operational initiatives.
Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions
- Normal office environment
- Ability to travel to various on- and off-campus locations
Physical Effort
- Typically sitting at a desk or table
- Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement
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 (8 Years)
Skills:
Not Applicable
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job
WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Master's degree
Certifications/Professional Licenses:
No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Work Experience:
Leadership (10 Years)
Skills:
Accountability, Budget Management, Change Management, Complex Project Management, Continuous Improvement, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System, Data Integrity, Data Reporting, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy, Employee Management, Goal Setting, Internal Communications, Interpersonal Communication, Leadership, Oral Communications, Organizational Leadership, Problem-Solving Strategies, Relationship Building, Stakeholder Communications, Strategic Insights, Strategic Planning, Team Accountability, Work Relationships, Written Communication
Grade
G00
Salary Range
Base pay is commensurate with experience.
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 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
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 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.
Washington University is dedicated to building a 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.