Director of Advancement

At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee the Division of University Advancement (UA) has the privilege of championing one of the countrys leading research collaboration with our internal and external stakeholders we maximize private support for UWMs schools colleges units and programs through a comprehensive development and alumni relations program that:

• Promotes a university-wide culture of philanthropy and stewardship

• Engages alums through high impact and highly visible programs and services

• Supports and fosters investment in campus priorities

• Respects donors philanthropic interests and passions

• Provides a joyful giving experience

• Complies withrelevant professional codes of conduct and ethics

• Holds parties accountable for meeting goals andobjectives

The Gift Officer I Director of Advancement identifiesand cultivates relationships with donor prospects at major principal and/or estate giving levels develops and implements fundraising plans and works collaboratively with other Advancement staff to meet predefined gift contribution goals.

The position is a member of the frontline development team whose primary responsibility is revenue generation through relationship-based fundraising activities. This individual manages a portfolio of 100-150 high-capacity high-affinity prospects and develops a strategy for each prospect moving them closer to gift solicitation. This individual is strategic and thoughtful using theirstrong communicationand interpersonal skills to meet metrics as set forth by the AVC for Development being as productive as possible while employing efficient strategies for success.

TheDirector of Advancement will be charged with serving as UAs subject matter expert in philanthropy for UWM Athletics. A significant percentage of the portfolio will becomprisedof prospects and donors interested and/or engaged with UWM Athletics. The Director will need todemonstrateexpertisein UWM Athletics and create collaborative relationships with Athletics Department leadership. TheDirectorwill engage Athletics leadership appropriately in donor/prospect strategy development and execution tooptimizedonor relationships and fundraising results. Participation in UWM Athletics events and understanding and advocating for the role that Athletics plays at UWM will be necessary. Specifically understanding the importance of Division I Athletics at a university with a tripartite mission of access research and community engagement.TheDirectormay need to attend weekend and/or evening athletic events as driven by prospect and donor relationships.

Other primary responsibilities include comprehensive management of a portfolio of donors and prospects to meet goals in all stages of the donor cycle qualification cultivation solicitation and stewardship as well as creating custom strategies for approaching donors and prospects.Criticalto success eligible candidates will have the ability to work independently proactively and creatively while demonstrating motivation to achieve established annual fundraising goals and metrics.The Director of Advancement mustdemonstrateknowledge andproficiencyin using database solutions to execute strategies with prospects and donors and to track relationship status and produce efficient results. It is critical that the individualembraceUWMs University Advancements data-driven culture.

Successful candidates will need to adopt a team-centric approach and create partnerships and strong relationships with members of the University Advancement team colleaguesand leaders working in divisions across UWMs campus and staff and colleagues at the UWM Foundation Inc. UWMs non-profit foundation. The Director of Advancement mustdemonstrateindependent proactive creative and strategic thinking when approaching their work. They will be a key member of the team of fundraisers mustmanage multiple simultaneous assignments and meet deadlines without compromising quality in a service-oriented environment.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Identifies promotes andmaintainsdonor relationships andidentifiessolicitation opportunities specifically designed for the generation of gifts to reach program funding goals throughoptimalmanagement of a portfolio of prospects and donors

• Delivers targeted fundraising and communication programs and materials specific to gift contributions in alignment with strategic initiatives

• Manages portfolio prospects and evaluates existing strategy

• Serves as a unit liaison to internal and external constituencies builds relationships provides information andrepresentsthe interests of the institution

• Creates partnerships within the Advancement team to reach fundraising goals

• Collaborateswith campus partners especially in the UWM Athletics Department toassistin strengthening relationships with prospects and donors to grow philanthropic revenues

• Broad-based and progressive fundraising experience in annual giving proposal preparation individual corporate and foundation solicitations including major and planned gifts

• Experience working in large complex institutionssuch asuniversities hospitals or government agencies

• Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) software applications and/or database solutions for event managementmarketing etc.

• Fundraising campaign experience

• Academic fundraising experience with a preference for those with experience with soliciting gifts for an athletic department