Associate Director of Development/Director of Development/Senior Director of Development, Wisconsin Athletics

About the role

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA) 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop objectives, priorities and strategies for major gift development related to capital campaigns, special programs, and ongoing fund raising in collaboration with Athletic Department external relations staff, Athletic Development Office staff, WFAA colleagues, and campus partners.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Collaborate with colleagues, discussing major donor prospects, sharing advice/information, and coordinating activity on shared prospects.
• Coordinate development efforts with the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, working closely with Athletic Development Office staff, coaches, and Athletics leadership to develop and implement strategies related to gift opportunities and optimizing campus involvement in the development process.
• 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.
• Work in collaboration with affiliated organizations and boards.
• Participate in the external relations activities of the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, attend sponsored events, etc., to solicit, encourage, increase the involvement of alumni/donors in UW activities.
• Work with WFAA and Athletics leadership to develop plans for a comprehensive advancement structure and operations.
• Communicate, problem solve, and anticipate needs of the Athletic Development Office regarding accounting for donor created funds and serve as liaison between WFAA accounting department and the Athletic Development Office.
• Request data/reports from WFAA staff to meet needs of donors and the Athletic Development Office.
• Serve as WFAA liaison with the Division and other UW entities and friends/booster groups.
• Make travel arrangements for self.
• Write regular progress reports on prospect cultivation and solicitation, completing and filing thorough reports of all contacts in a timely manner.
• Monitor giving patterns and results for prospects/donors in portfolio and provide regular written or oral reports on progress and results of work with these prospects.

Qualifications

• Associate Director of Development: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional work experience, 1 + years of professional fundraising /development experience in higher education, intercollegiate athletics, or a related field. Experience and demonstrated success in fundraising or related activities. Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills required. Ability to meet travel requirements (@25%).
• Director of Development: All listed above plus, 3+ years of professional fundraising /development experience in higher education, intercollegiate athletics, or a related field.
• Senior Director of Development: All listed above plus, 5+ years of professional fundraising /development experience in higher education, intercollegiate athletics, or a related field.

Other Qualifications

• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills.
• Self-directed, team player who has a strong, results-oriented, work ethic.
• Understanding of the operation of a major research university and passion for promoting its intercollegiate athletic programs.
• Experience using database management software (e.g. Paciolan, Advance, Salesforce, Blackbaud, Ticketmaster, etc.).
• Previous experience in intercollegiate athletics and an understanding of NCAA rules are preferred.