Chief of Staff

About the role

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA), the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for UW-Madison, is seeking a Chief of Staff. The Chief of Staff (CoS) serves as a key advisor and thought partner to the CEO, ensuring the effective operation of the organization’s leadership, board relations and operations, and executive communications functions. The CoS plays a strategic role in supporting WFAA’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Organizational Effectiveness:
  • Act as a strategic thought partner to the CEO, offering insights and recommendations on key decisions and initiatives.
  • Partner with the CEO to develop and implement WFAA’s strategic priorities, ensuring alignment with WFAA and UW’s missions.
  • Lead cross-functional initiatives that drive organizational excellence and innovation.
  • Facilitate decision-making and priority setting among the executive leadership team.
  • Maintain and report on key performance metrics and progress toward strategic goals.
• Board Relations & Operations:
  • Serve as the primary liaison to the WFAA board, ensuring strong governance practices and board engagement.
  • Manage communications and touchpoints with WFAA board members.
  • Oversee board onboarding, training, and engagement to ensure strong fiduciary oversight.
  • Plan and execute board meetings, preparing materials and briefing leadership.
  • Support board committees in developing and executing strategic initiatives.
  • Facilitate communication between board members, executive leadership, and university stakeholders.
• Executive Communications & Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Lead the strategies for and development of executive communications, including speeches, reports, presentations, and messaging for internal and VIP audiences.
  • Oversee crisis communications efforts and response teams.
  • Ensure that the messaging aligns with WFAA mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
  • Work directly with the CEO to define, develop, and implement the CEO’s executive brand.
  • Partner internally to plan and track and help execute CEO touchpoints with key donors, alumni, and other external strategic partners.
  • Work closely with university leadership, donors, and external partners to strengthen relationships and enhance collaboration.
  • Represent WFAA leadership team at events, meetings, and key board engagements.
• Operational Oversight & Special Projects:
  • Provide executive oversight of critical projects, ensuring timely execution and impact.
  • Identify and address operational bottlenecks, enhancing overall efficiency.
  • Offer insights and recommendations on key decisions.
  • Lead and manage executive support and organization-wide support operations, ensuring high-quality, responsive service to the CEO, executive leadership, staff, board members, donors, alumni, and visitors.
  • Provide leadership for reception services to create a welcoming, professional, and service-oriented experience for all guests and internal stakeholders.
  • Oversee print and mailroom functions, ensuring timely, accurate, and efficient delivery of organization-wide print, mail, shipping, and related support services.
  • Establish service standards, workflows, and continuous improvement practices for support operations to improve efficiency, consistency, and internal customer service.
• Operations Leadership:
  • Lead and manage executive support and organization-wide support operations, ensuring high-quality, responsive service to the CEO, executive leadership, staff, board members, donors, alumni, and visitors.
  • Oversee reception services to create a welcoming, professional, and service-oriented experience for all guests and internal stakeholders.
  • Oversee print and mailroom functions, ensuring timely, accurate, and efficient delivery of organization-wide print, mail, shipping, and related support services.
  • Establish service standards, workflows, and continuous improvement practices for support operations to improve efficiency, consistency, and internal customer service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in advancement, communications, or a related field.
• Proven expertise in strategic planning, governance, and board relations.
• Exceptional executive communication skills, with experience drafting speeches and donor messaging.
• Strong relationship management skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders effectively.
• High-level problem-solving abilities and the capacity to navigate complex challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage large-scale initiatives.
• Integrity, discretion, and commitment to the organization’s mission.

Benefits

Competitive pay and an outstanding benefits program, including a generous 10% 401k contribution after just one year of service!