What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Development position at Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association?
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking a development professional to support the College of Engineering (CoE). The Director of Development will be responsible for qualifying, cultivating and soliciting major gift prospects. This development position is an integral part of a highly collaborative, energetic, and innovative development team for the UW-Madison College of Engineering. This is a hybrid role that will require you to work in Madison, WI office at least two days weekly.
The College of Engineering is one of the University’s major units, with more than 4,500 students and over 50,000 alumni. Development efforts strive to involve alumni and friends in the life of the departments and the College, resulting in their increased engagement and philanthropic support.
Job Responsibilities:
Major Gift Development
- Develop objectives, priorities and strategies for major gift development related to capital campaigns, special programs, and ongoing fund raising in collaboration with dean/faculty/staff, WFAA vice president and colleagues.
- Implement development strategies with assigned constituencies, managing a portfolio of prospects and donors in varying stages of involvement to advance them strategically through the development process.
- Work with prospect management, WFAA research and development colleagues to identify and qualify a portfolio of major gift prospects from existing and potential donors.
- Schedule and conduct initial assessment/exploratory meetings with prospects, following up with correspondence, phone calls and additional visits as appropriate to qualify prospect.
- Plan and conduct visits/trips, events and other ongoing contact to build relationships with donors, effectively presenting the case for philanthropic support and explaining gift opportunities
Donor Relations/Stewardship/ Recognition
- Plan and implement 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.
Campus Relations
- Communicate, problem solve, and anticipate needs of campus staff regarding accounting for donor created funds and serve as liaison between WFAA accounting department and campus staff.
- Request data/reports from WFAA staff to meet needs of donors and campus staff.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional work experience
- 3 years of professional fundraising/ development experience or related experience.
- Experience and demonstrated success in fundraising or related activities.
- Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills required.
- Ability to meet travel requirements (@25%).
Other Qualifications
- Post high school training, college degree, or equivalent preferred.
- Ability to articulate the case for private support with sufficient effectiveness so that individuals understand the vision and strategy of the College and choose to invest in the vision.
- Ability to work independently, in addition to as a member of an effective development team.
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!
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.
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer *The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is the “doing business as” name of the merged organization comprising the University of Wisconsin Foundation (advanceuw.org) and the Wisconsin Alumni Association (uwalumni.com). Its legal corporate name is registered as the University of Wisconsin Foundation.