Director of Philanthropic Engagement

Academic Staff | Regular

About the role

The Director of Philanthropic Engagement leads the strategy and implementation of philanthropy, foundation and corporate relations, donor engagement, and strategic communications for the Center for Healthy Minds (CHM). This role is responsible for building a sustainable advancement program that supports the mission to cultivate wellbeing and relieve suffering through a scientific understanding of the mind.

Responsibilities

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
• Directs strategic planning pertaining to growth initiatives and establishes unit objectives in alignment with the strategic plan.
• Serves as a key unit authority to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and existing members and donors to support growth in line with the unit vision and values.
• Leads the development and execution of cross-unit communications strategies and promotional campaigns and materials to align with institutional initiatives.
• Serves as a lead fundraiser in the absence of a Director.
• Supervises the day-to-day activities of unit managerial staff and identifies staff performance goals.
• Develops and executes CHM’s philanthropic strategies and goals in collaboration with Center leadership and the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA).
• Uses data to evaluate strategy effectiveness, identify new funding opportunities, and re-engage partners to grow the donor pipeline.
• Serves as the primary center liaison to the WFAA, coordinating with their Director(s) of Development as needed; identifies and cultivates relationships with individual donors, non-profit foundations, and corporate partners.
• Leads the Engagement team in the creation of persuasive donor content, including case statements, proposals, and stewardship reports.
• Oversees donor and engagement events—such as investor circles and scientific talks—and trains faculty and staff on how to engage effectively with philanthropic partners.
• Supervises the CHM Communications and Marketing Director and CHM Development staff, including management, professional development, and ensuring a unified message across all outreach efforts.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in fundraising, development, or advancement with progressively increasing responsibility; 8+ years preferred.
• Experience overseeing communications strategy as part of philanthropic efforts, including aligning messaging, brand, donor engagement, and fundraising priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to design, lead, and execute a comprehensive philanthropy strategy across giving levels, including pipeline development, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and long-range planning.
• Proven track record of achieving measurable fundraising results, expanding donor engagement, and growing philanthropic revenue.
• Bachelor's Degree in business, communications, marketing, nonprofit management, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven ability to translate complex, research-based or mission-driven work into compelling funding opportunities, donor materials, presentations, and campaigns.
• Experience using data, metrics, and performance tracking to inform philanthropic and strategic communications strategy and improve effectiveness.
• Demonstrated success building collaborative relationships across institutional stakeholders, including leadership, program teams, foundations, corporate partners, and external constituents.
• Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to build teams, develop talent, manage multiple priorities, and drive organizational objectives.
• Exceptional writing and presentation skills, including experience developing persuasive donor proposals, case statements, stewardship materials, and engagement events.

Benefits

• Generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Competitive insurances and savings accounts.
• Retirement benefits.

Pay

The expected salary range for this position is $113,503 - $145,000 for highly experienced candidates. Actual pay within this range will depend on experience, qualifications, and FTE.