The Wisconsin School of Business (WSB) at UWMadison is a globally recognized business school conducting cutting-edge research and delivering market-responsive degrees. WSB enrolls more than 4000 students annually within a comprehensive portfolio of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. WSB boasts an extensive powerful network of 50000 alumni who are leaders in their respective fields and passionate about their alma materso passionate that our university boasts the #14 best alumni network among public schools (The Princeton Review). WSB is committed to equipping our students and alumni to be bold leaders entrepreneurial thinkers and collaborative partners who can tackle complex challenges and lead without a blueprint.
WSBs Director of Alumni Relations sets the strategic direction for schoolwide alumni engagement initiatives to foster deeper alumni connections raise the profile of the school and generate philanthropic investment. This position reports to the chief advancement officer and oversees the alumni relations team. The position works closely with the development team at the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association WSBs dean and many WSB unit leaders to direct alumni engagement efforts and curate the alumni experience.
The schools alumni relations team is comprised of engagement advancement and communication/creative professionals. Together the team builds and delivers a portfolio of alumni and donor programs communications and activities that advance the reach reputation and revenue of the school. The team leverages insights collected regularly from our alumni to identify target audiences tailor our storytelling and build programming to support our alumni and enhance the Business Badger network.
In addition to leading the strategic direction and operational execution of the alumni relations team the director will build collaborations across the school and campus launch new programs and services and further enhance how we tell the WSB story. An important component of the role is building and enhancing relationships with alumni leaders corporate/industry partners and volunteers including those who serve on the Wisconsin Business Alumni Board.
Key priorities for the Director of Alumni Relations include developing strategies to build the donor and volunteer pipeline; using data and insights to curate segmented alumni experiences around industry age/life stage and/or geographic region; and shaping storytelling that cuts through the clutter and helps build the WSB brand. This important leadership position will leverage the momentum WSB has established coming out of its 125th anniversary year as the school moves forward with a new strategic roadmap and forthcoming comprehensive campaign.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced advancement leader who enjoys leading a high-capacity team shaping the alumni experience and generating affinity and engagement among priority stakeholder groups. A successful candidate will be passionate about advancement work and have extensive experience providing cross-functional leadership.
This role works in a hybrid capacity with at least 40% time spent on campus (many weeks will demand more time on campus). Occasional overnight out-of-state travel and evening/weekend work is required.
Wisconsin School of Business Advancement
The minimum salary for the position is $127000. Actual starting salary will be based on experience and qualifications.
Minimum of 57 years of progressively responsible experience in alumni relations advancement or related fields
At least 23 years of experience supervising professional staff and managing cross-functional teams
Proven ability to develop and lead strategy that yields measurable outcomes
Experience working in higher education
Experience designing leading and measuring engagement programs (including large-scale events)
Experience developing and/or overseeing communications and creative strategy
Experience managing annual giving campaigns and related fundraising communications
Experience managing boards and/or volunteers
Ability to leverage data and audience segmentation to build customized programs
Demonstrated ability to influence build trustworthy partnerships and work collaboratively
Evidence of building/championing new ideas and empowering others to implement
Bachelors degree required
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Letter of Qualification
Applicants should attach a letter of qualifications and resume detailing their training and experience relating to the required and preferred qualifications referenced above. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine which qualified applicants will advance in the recruitment process. The search committee will review all application materials after the posted deadline. We will notify selected applicants to participate further in the selection process directly. References will be requested of final candidates. All applicants will be notified after the search is complete and a candidate has been selected.
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States a lawful permanent resident a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
Rima Okbazghi
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