Director of Advancement

At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the Division of University Advancement (UA) has the privilege of championing one of the country’s leading research universities. In collaboration with our internal and external stakeholders, we maximize private support for UWM’s 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 with relevant professional codes of conduct and ethics 

• Holds parties accountable for meeting goals and objectives 

The Gift Officer I –Director of Advancement – identifies and 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 their strong communication and interpersonal skills to meet metrics as set forth by the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development, being as productive as possible while employing efficient strategies for success. 

The Director of Advancement will be charged with serving as UA’s subject matter expert in philanthropy for UWM Athletics. A significant percentage of the portfolio will be comprised of prospects and donors interested and/or engaged with UWM Athletics. The Director will need to demonstrate expertise in UWM Athletics and create collaborative relationships with Athletics Department leadership. The Director will engage Athletics leadership appropriately in donor/prospect strategy development and execution to optimize donor 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. The Director may 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. Critical to 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 must demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in using database solutions to execute strategies with prospects and donors and to track relationship status and produce efficient results. It is critical that the individual embrace UWM’s University Advancement’s 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, colleagues, and leaders working in divisions across UWM’s campus and staff and colleagues at the UWM Foundation, Inc., UWM’s non-profit foundation. The Director of Advancement must demonstrate independent, proactive, creative, and strategic thinking when approaching their work. They will be a key member of the team of fundraisers, must manage multiple, simultaneous assignments, and meet deadlines without compromising quality in a service-oriented environment. 

Key Job Responsibilities: 

• Identifies, promotes, and maintains donor relationships and identifies solicitation opportunities specifically designed for the generation of gifts to reach program funding goals through optimal management 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, and represents the interests of the institution 

• Creates partnerships within the Advancement team to reach fundraising goals 

• Collaborates with campus partners, especially in the UWM Athletics Department, to assist in 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 institutions such as universities, hospitals, or government agencies 

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

• Fundraising campaign experience  

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