Executive Director of Development

Universities of Wisconsin · La Crosse · $145,000 (stated in the posting)

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Job Profile:

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 information (minimum of 3)

Contact Information:

Allison Ziegelman aziegelman@uwlax.edu

Special Notes:

Application deadlines 
TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Priority consideration is given to those candidates who apply by the listed ‘First Review Date’. Applications received after that date may be considered at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or if you are not able to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact the Office of Human Resources. 

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials 
UWL is a state agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWL will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request. 
 
CBC & Reference Check Policy 
All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. 

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act) 
For the UWL Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.uwlax.edu/student-life/student-resources/annual-security-report/ or contact the University Police Department at 608.785.9000. 

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS 
Your benefits add an additional 40%+ to the overall financial package from the university. 
Highlights include: 

• Paid vacation for 12-month positions. 

• Excellent flexible health insurance with low co-pays and good coverage. 

• Paid holidays and paid sick days.

• After 5 years of employment, you become vested in our retirement system which ensures income post-career. 

• Benefits at UWL are highly competitive with local industry and some of the strongest in state and nation. 

 
Benefit eligibility is determined at the point of hire. This information is provided for illustrative purposes only. Benefits are also pro-rated based on the appointment percentage.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

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