Executive Director of Development

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title: Executive Director of Development

Job Category: Limited

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Development Director (B)

Job Duties:

As an integral member of the University Advancement team, the Executive Director of Development (“EDD”) plays a key leadership role in the fundraising operations of the University and the UW-La Crosse Alumni & Friends Foundation. In partnership with the Vice Chancellor of University Advancement/Foundation President, the EDD will provide leadership and direction to the Development Team utilizing industry best practices to implement and execute a major giving program. The Development Team includes Annual Giving, Leadership Annual Giving, Major Giving, and Principal Giving. The Team is supported by Advancement Services and Prospect Management, Strategic Alumni Engagement, Operations, and Finance Teams. The EDD is responsible for being the principal gift officer in addition to leading a team which achieves annual fundraising metrics and goals.

Candidate must be able to travel via all modes of transportation. Must have a valid Driver’s License. Position requires significant time using telephones and computers.

Local, regional and national travel required (up to 25%). Some evenings and weekends are required as well.

The review of applications starts on November 20, 2026. Applications received on or before November 20th are prioritized and review will continue until the position(s) is/are filled. Initial interviews will be conducted virtually, with shortlisted candidates invited to campus.

UW-La Crosse does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 608-785-8013.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Focusing on donor solicitation, the Executive Director of Development works closely with Alumni & Friends Foundation leadership and Board of Directors as well as experienced academic and administrative leaders in one or more assigned areas. For each area, the Executive Director of Development is expected to establish and execute a gift pipeline and portfolio. Key responsibilities may include:

Academic Unit Leadership

Become the academic unit expert and serve as liaison between the academic unit and the Alumni & Friends Foundation. Establish competency and be able to communicate on academic unit departments, degrees, key faculty, areas of research, programs, awards and recognition, cultivation opportunities, needs, funding initiatives, and other areas as appropriate.

Attend events that assist in the identification, cultivation, solicitation or stewardship of major gift prospects and/or donors.

Meet regularly with the Dean/Director and appropriate academic unit leadership to review monthly reports by unit, and to discuss key prospect strategies, development assignments, prospect identification, and progress to goal; and

Educate Alumni & Friends Foundation peers as appropriate about the academic unit.

Regional Leadership

Cultivate philanthropic relationships with individuals and entities interested in the success of UWL by traveling in-state, regionally, and nationally to solicit prospects; and

Achieve competency in Alumni & Friends Foundation and UWL history and purpose as well as an understanding of UWL’s strategic plans and priorities, academic units, funding priorities, and general needs.

Development Specialty, Initiative or other Priority Leadership

Become the expert in development specialty, initiatives, or other UWL priorities as assigned.

Collaboration with the Foundation Board of Directors, UWL Campus Partners, and Advancement Colleagues.

Serve jointly with Director of Strategic Alumni Engagement (“DSAE”) to oversee operations for the Philanthropy & Engagement Committee of the Foundation Board

Work in coordination with the DSAE to ensure a vibrant donor stewardship plan is developed and executed

Engage with various campus administrative and academic leaders to ensure their engagement in the fundraising process through regional and liaison assignments

Work with the Advancement team to provide educational opportunities related to deepening the culture of philanthropy with the campus community

Execute an effective major giving program

Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of approximately 75 major and principal gift prospects

Supervise a team of major gift officers

Execute donor discovery, cultivation, and solicitation work plans which result in achieving annual fundraising metrics and goals.

Establish campaign-ready prospect pipelines toward the execution of the university’s first comprehensive campaign.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

Develop and manage volunteer teams as appropriate to leverage gift success.

Draft formal correspondence, proposals, and other written materials for assigned prospects.

Collaborate with other Alumni & Friends Foundation departments and team members to ensure development success.

Affect and maintain a professional, proactive, positive, highly collaborative, and performance-centric work environment; and

Complete all other duties as assigned by supervisor (Vice Chancellor of Advancement/Foundation President). Duties and responsibilities may change at any time.

Department:

University Advancement

Compensation:

$145,000 / year to commensurate with experience and qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree.

Skills:

Proven Major and Principal Gift Fundraising Experience

Strong leadership communication skills including verbal, written, and listening

Self-motivated and able to lead initiatives independently

Demonstrated organizational management and attention to detail

Time management skills-able to juggle complex tasks and meet deadlines

Can work both independently and as part of a dynamic team

Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Proven team player with interest and ability to work across functions and teams

Commitment to the vision, mission and values of UWL

Proven fundraising results and success in achieving/exceeding benchmarks

Experience:

Prior non-profit or higher education development experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Seven years or more of demonstrated major gift/principle gift fundraising, preferably in higher education

Experience leading a successful fundraising campaign

Proficient in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge database

How to Apply:

Required application materials

Resume

Cover letter References and their contact info