Managing Director of Development / Managing Senior Director of Development, UW Athletics

Overview

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 fundraise on behalf of the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison dedicates itself to the mission of providing athletic opportunities to a wide range of student-athletes in an environment in which all they can achieve their academic and competitive goals. The Division strives to provide equitable opportunities for all student-athletes and fosters the principles of sportsmanship, respect, and fair play in all facets of competition. The Division sponsors 23 varsity sports programs competing under the regulatory guidelines established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Big Ten Conference and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).

 

The Managing Director of Development / Managing Senior Director of Development will play a key role in shaping the intermediate and long-term development efforts of the Division. This position will primarily focus on major gift identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship in support of facility projects, endowed scholarships, and planned gifts. The incumbent will personally manage a major gift portfolio of prospects and donors, while also dedicating significant time to qualifying new prospects.

 

In addition to frontline fundraising, the Managing Director of Development / Managing Senior Director of Development will provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management for a team of frontline fundraisers, ensuring alignment with departmental and institutional fundraising goals. This includes establishing and monitoring individual performance metrics, conducting regular one-on-one meetings and evaluations, and mentoring staff on portfolio management, moves management, and donor engagement strategies. The incumbent will promote collaboration and accountability and ensure the team consistently utilizes the prospect management system and follows data reporting protocols. Collaboration with advancement leadership will be essential to recruit, onboard, and retain high-performing fundraising talent.

 

This role will also be responsible for arranging the solicitation and stewardship of gifts by the Athletic Director, Deputy Athletic Director, Associate Athletic Director for Development, coaches, and other staff, as appropriate. The Managing Director of Development / Managing Senior Director of Development will provide donor service across all aspects of the development program, including the annual fund, premium seating, capital campaigns, endowed scholarships, and planned giving. They will also assist in the creation of major gift marketing materials and proposals to support philanthropic engagement efforts. This position requires evening and weekend work during UW Athletic events and other special engagements, as well as regional travel. It is a 100% in-person role and will require relocation to the greater Dane County area.

 

 

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.

 

Diversity and Inclusion:

Just as the university community benefits from differing viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences, inclusion and diversity are imperative for the success of our mission. WFAA values people and the differences that they bring to the organization, and creates an environment in which all staff members and constituents feel respected and have opportunities to thrive. 

 

Essential Functions

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 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.
• Work with prospect management, WFAA research and