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 implementing and executing prospect management systems which result in achieving annual fundraising metrics and goals.

Duties/Responsibilities

Develop and execute an effective major giving program

• Hire, lead, coach, and mentor a team of major gift officers as well as the Annual and Leadership Giving Coordinator.
• Develop a vision and lead the execution of a strategic plan for implementing and executing prospect management systems and donor solicitation and stewardship plans which result in achieving annual fundraising metrics and goals.
• Develop a vision and lead execution of a $125M comprehensive campaign.
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of approximately 75 major and principal gift prospects

• 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.
• Create and implement a comprehensive development plan based on major giving goals for the academic unit.
• Attend events that assist in the identification, cultivation, solicitation or stewardship of major gift prospects and/or donors.
• Meet monthly 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.

• 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.

• 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

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.

Required Qualifications

• Major 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

• Seven years or more of demonstrated major gift fundraising, preferably in higher education
• Experience leading a successful fundraising campaign
• Proficient in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge database

Proposed Salary Range: $125,000 – $133,000 commensurate with experience