Managing Director of Development/Managing Senior Director of Development/Associate VP & Managing Director/ VP & Managing Director

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for UW-Madison, is hiring four (4) Development Leaders (see below for specific open unit areas). In these roles, you will be responsible for providing first level management to assigned development programs and staff. You will supervise a team of frontline development directors and development operations professionals, and in partnership with VP and Managing Group Leaders, providing higher-level strategic consultancy and service to our academic partners. 

Open Units Listed Below:  Each position will report directly to the Vice President and Managing Group Leader.

• School of Nursing  / School of Pharmacy / Veterinary Medicine: Will hire one (1) Managing Director of Development/ Managing Senior Director of Development/Associate Vice President & Managing Director or Vice President & Managing Director.
• School of Education: Will hire one (1) Managing Director of Development/ Managing Senior Director of Development/Associate Vice President & Managing Director or Vice President & Managing Director.
• College of Agricultural and Life Sciences: Will hire one (1) Managing Director of Development/ Managing Senior Director of Development/Associate Vice President & Managing Director or Vice President & Managing Director.
• School of Human Ecology:  Will hire one (1) Managing Director of Development/ Managing Senior Director of Development/Associate Vice President & Managing Director or Vice President & Managing Director.

Please note: We can hire these positions as a Managing Director of Development, Managing Senior Director of Development, Associate Vice President (AVP) and Managing Director, or Vice President (VP) and Managing Director. The title of this position will be assigned based on the experience and tenure of the selected candidate.

Who is WFAA?
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is a private, nonprofit corporation that encourages individuals and organizations to make gifts to the university and to connect with the UW. In 2014, the UW Foundation merged with the Wisconsin Alumni Association® to better serve a growing population of UW alumni and donors. We believe that private support grows out of good relationships between campus leaders, faculty and program staff who need support, and the alumni and friends who want to invest in UW–Madison. We provide important engagement opportunities to link UW–Madison alumni to each other and to their alma mater, building a strong community of Badgers.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Just as the university community benefits from differing viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences, inclusion and diversity are imperative for the success of our mission. WFAA values people and the differences that they bring to the organization and creates an environment in which all staff members and constituents feel respected and have opportunities to thrive. 

Leadership

• Serve on the leadership team and leadership group, sharing best practices and driving innovation across divisions and development programs while modeling a high level of collaboration and strategy.
• Champion the development programs for school / college:
• Foster collaboration, excitement, and productivity among development team members and campus partners.
• Provide leadership and support to empower team members to achieve individual and programmatic goals.
• In collaboration with WFAA development unit leads, develop objectives, priorities, and strategies for principal, major, and planned gift development related to capital campaigns, special programs, and ongoing fundraising.
• Plan and prioritize work, using time and other resources effectively to maximize desired outcomes for self, team, and programs.
• Drive innovation and idea generation.
• Maximize performance and abilities of each staff member while fostering employee engagement with WFAA.

Collaboration

• Collaborate with campus leaders, WFAA leaders, and WFAA colleagues to discuss major donor prospects, sharing advice/information, and coordinating activities on shared prospects/donors.
• Partner with the Vice President and Managing Group Leader, leadership group, and WFAA colleagues to advance all aspects of the school / college development programs.

Development

• Implement development strategies with assigned constituencies, managing a portfolio of prospects and major gift donors in varying stages of involvement to advance them strategically through the development process.
• Work with research and prospect management, business intelligence, and development colleagues to identify and qualify a portfolio of major gift prospects from existing and potential donors.
• Communicate, problem solve and anticipate needs of campus partner programs regarding accounting for donor created funds and serve as liaison between WFAA and campus partners, faculty, and staff.
• Understand and access resources within WFAA to support the fund development process, e.g., research, planned giving, real estate, accounting, investments.
• Plan and conduct trips, events, and other ongoing contact to build relationships with donors, effectively presenting the case for philanthropic support and explaining gift opportunities.
• Develop and write major gift proposals, utilizing both current and planned gift opportunities to best meet donors’ needs, interests, and financial capabilities, including structuring complex or special gifts as appropriate.
• Artfully ask for the right gift, at the right time, in the right way.
• Plan and implement meaningful stewardship recognition for donors, including writing thank you letters, making personal calls, arranging meetings, hosting events, etc.
• Plan and implement ongoing communication and stewardship with donors.

Qualifications:

Managing Director of Development

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional work experience.
• Experience and demonstrated success in fundraising or related activities.
• Ability to meet travel requirements (@25%).

Managing Senior Director of Development:  (All listed above plus)

• 5 + years of experience in a fund raising capacity or related experience.

AVP & Managing Director  / VP & Managing Director: (All listed above plus)

• 10 + years of professional leadership experience in complex development and alumni relations programs (preferably within higher education) recognized for their strength and effectiveness; meaningful experience in or knowledge of all key development areas. 
• Proven supervisory and management skills, both strategic and operational. A demonstrated ability to build, manage, mentor and motivate an effective team, especially through times of growth and change. Effective at establishing processes, metrics and accountabilities.
• Demonstrated success in personally soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gifts, with significant experience closing gifts of $1 million or more. A high level of comfort and effectiveness working with high-net-worth individuals. A deep appreciation for the history, achievements and aspirations of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The ability to effectively articulate the School's vision and case for philanthropy. 
• The credibility, maturity and sound judgment that inspire the trust and respect of academic leaders, donors, colleagues and team members.
• The political savvy to navigate a complex academic community; the ability to build bridges and strong collaborative relationships with a range of internal colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Superior communication skills and the ability to connect with a variety of audiences, clarity and effectiveness in written and oral presentation. Exemplary interpersonal and listening skills.

WFAA is committed to provide our employees with an environment that is inspiring, creative, and respectful. We offer competitive pay and an excellent benefits program, which includes a 10% 401k contribution after 1 year of service!