Senior Development Program Manager/ Development Program Manager

ID
2025-1529
Job Locations
US-WI-Madison

Overview

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for UW-Madison, is recruiting for  a Development/Senior Development Program Manager to oversee development operations for Wisconsin Athletics, College of Engineering, Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine development programs.  This leadership position will oversee the strategic operations functions of the group, supervise the development operations team, provide executive support to the Vice President and Managing Group Leader (VP/MGL), including a focus on UW Capital Projects and Naming Recognition, and provide daily development operations support. Responsibilities for this leadership position include high-level administration and organization, people management, strategic planning and execution of high-impact organizational tasks, fostering innovation and collaboration, providing excellence in stewardship and customer service, and more. This role will serve as the administrative lead for the group, a strategic partner to the VP/MGL, and will partner with other development operations leaders in the development division to drive organizational growth. This is a hybrid role that will require you to work in our Madison, WI office location at least two days weekly.

 

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in fostering cohesion and operational synergy across the advancement landscape, which includes a large WFAA team and essential partners within campus departments. Additionally, this role will drive initiatives to enhance team stewardship efforts, ensuring a seamless and effective development program.

 

Please note: We can hire this position as a Development Program Manager or Senior Development Program Manager, depending on the skills/experience of the selected candidate.

Essential Functions

Administrative lead and strategic collaborator

  • Work in active partnership with team leadership to plan, implement, manage and evaluate strategies, initiatives, and projects designed to enhance and advance major gift identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship and successfully move projects and relationships to completion.
  • Provide executive support to the VP/MGL, including a focus on principal gift prospect strategies and engagement.
  • Collaborate with the group’s Managing AVP/SDODs to ensure success for unit priority initiatives.
  • Coordinate with WFAA Business Intelligence, Finance, Fund Administration, Legal, Research, Marketing, Communications, and Central Stewardship teams to compile data and other information that better informs strategic planning, donor recognition, and stewardship activities.
  • Enhance group communications and coordinate regular team meetings.

 

UW Capital Projects and Naming Recognition Program Management

  • In close partnership with the VP/MGL, who serves as WFAA’s leader for UW Capital Projects and Naming Recognition, serve as a primary WFAA liaison with the Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Provost, and Division of Facilities, Planning and Management.
  • Strategically manage WFAA’s internal coordination, preparation and follow-up for donor naming recognition requests.
  • In active partnership with the VP/MGL, facilitate education and understanding of UW Capital Projects and Naming Recognition guidelines and policies with colleagues and campus partners.
  • In active partnership, drive innovation and growth within the UW Capital Projects and Naming Recognition space to enhance donor stewardship and understanding.

 

Management of Development Operations team 

  • Supervise, mentor and assess the Development Operations team, currently including:
    • Senior Development Program Manager who oversees the College of Engineering’s development operations.
    • Development Program Manager who supports the College of Engineering’s development operations.
    • Development Program Manager who oversees the Wisconsin Athletics and Schools or Nursing, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine’s development operations.
    • Development Program Specialist who supports the Wisconsin Athletics and Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine’s development operations. 
  • Recommend and implement consistent standards of practice and procedure that provide professional and experienced customer service to VIP donors and campus partners
  • Consult with DoDs and campus partners to offer strategic guidance for VIP donor engagement and stewardship initiatives.
  • Stewardship management and oversight
    • Work in active partnership with the Development Operations and Central Stewardship teams to enhance the group’s stewardship efforts. Collaborate with various stakeholders on comprehensive stewardship plans; develop and coordinate implementation of high-touch stewardship/engagement activities within the units.  
    • Recommend and implement consistent standards of practice and procedure that provide professional and experienced customer service to VIP donors and campus partners.
    • Consult with DoDs and offer strategic guidance for VIP donor stewardship initiatives.  

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree is preferred or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  • 5 + years of relevant professional work experience. 

 Other Qualifications:

  • Team lead or supervisory experience.
  • High degree of proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint); previous experience with database reporting and constituent relationship management software, along with a willingness to explore and engage with AI solutions.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to judge the relative importance of issues and act independently to address them, applying the appropriate level of urgency to achieve results.
  • Self-motivation, a proactive nature, persistence, flexibility, and dependability.
  • Ability to work effectively with a team in an entrepreneurial environment and interact well with all internal and external constituents.

 

At WFAA, we are dedicated to creating an inspiring, creative, and respectful work environment for our employees. We offer competitive pay and an outstanding benefits program, including a generous 10% 401k contribution after just one year of service! Join us and be part of a team that values your growth and well-being. Click here to learn more about our employee benefits

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