Senior Programs Officer - University Advancement

Washington University seeks an advancement professional to join University Advancement in the position of Senior Advancement Programs Officer for Parent and Student Initiatives, Philanthropic Strategy.

University Advancement strives to advance the mission of the school by creating a culture of philanthropy among alumni, families, students, faculty, and friends. With the 2025 public launch of the With You Campaign, WashU is ambitiously pursuing solutions to the world’s greatest challenges—to make a more promising future for all. The Parent and Student Initiatives team is part of the Philanthropic Strategy vertical and partners with gift officers to engage parents as donors and volunteers.

The Senior Advancement Programs Officer will foster deep connections for parents with Washington University through meaningful volunteer leadership, programming, and philanthropy. Will seek opportunities to partner with gift officers on ways to engage parents and guide their philanthropic journey with WashU. The incumbent will act as a connector within the Philanthropic Strategy vertical – aligning parents’ interests with the appropriate University priorities.

Will also build a deep knowledge of the student experience at WashU and serve as an expert for their colleagues in Advancement. Reports to the Executive Director of Advancement for Parent and Student Initiatives.

This role requires strong project management and communication skills and an understanding of fundraising practices and trends in higher education, student affairs, and/or parent fundraising. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in fundraising and volunteer management, as well as successful collaboration with colleagues in complex, matrixed work environments.

• Manage the WashU Parents Council volunteer group by conceptualizing, developing, and evaluating its objectives, programming, and results.
• Set meeting agendas, secure speakers, and oversee the execution of related programs and events in collaboration with Special Events colleagues.
• Support and/or manage volunteer recruitment and the pipeline for leadership roles, in collaboration with strategy officers and gift officers.
• Contribute to Parents Council chairs’ relationships with the university in coordination with assigned gift officers.
• Contribute to visit profiles and executive briefings of Parent Council members, as needed.
• Partner with University Advancement Special Events colleagues, other staff with Parents Council responsibilities, and other related departments to execute Parents Council opportunities.

• Understand the parent donor cycle and help gift officers facilitate strategic engagement each academic year.
• Understand the wide scope of university activities and fundraising priorities, support parent philanthropy and engagement across all schools and units.
• Act as a subject matter expert to colleagues on the student experience at WashU and identify appropriate cultivation and stewardship opportunities for parents at the University. Provide routine education on partnering with families.

• Actively engage with gift officers on parent philanthropy and provide expert guidance on best practices for engagement, visits, and outreach with a focus on driving philanthropic support.
• Guide gift officers through scripting, consultation, and offering curated resources.
• Facilitate connections between gift officers and other Philanthropic Strategy colleagues when parent prospects’ gift interests are determined.
• Attend key academic and university events as a representative of University Advancement.
• Manage gift tables and parent prospect lists in partnership with University Advancement colleagues. Track progress and drive accountability for parent pool visits.

• Working in collaboration with the Parent and Student Initiatives Programs Officer and the Engagement and Annual Giving Programs team, develop annual giving messaging for parents and manage parent annual fund appeals.
• Support giving day…