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Position Title:
Director of Advancement for Foundation Relations
Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Gift Officer II
Job Duties:
The Gift Officer II – Director of Advancement (Foundation Relations) identifies and cultivates relationships with donor prospects at major and principal levels, develops and implements fundraising plans, and works collaboratively with other Advancement staff to meet predefined gift contribution goals. The Director of Advancement acts as a leader and a mentor on the team of Directors of Advancement, especially in Foundation Relations.
This 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 50 - 100 high-capacity, high-affinity foundation and organization 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.
UWM’s University Advancement university wide fundraising model requires eligible candidates to be both adaptable and have a genuine desire to learn about people, organizations, and opportunities. Gift Officers are asked to become subject matter experts in a fundraising program area, in this case Foundation Relations. To best succeed in the UWM UA environment, specific qualifications include:
the ability to conceive and ask thoughtful questions and to adjust communication and engagement strategies to meet philanthropic goals;
excellent listening skills and a professional who prioritizes long-term partnerships over transactional fundraising;
strategic thinking skills and being informed on fundraising trends and donor behavior; and
problem solving abilities that assist in overcoming challenges.
Successful candidates will need to adopt a team-centric approach and create partnerships and strong and trusting 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 closely affiliated 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. 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 embraces UWM’s University Advancement’s data-driven culture. The Director of Advancement may need to attend weekend and/or evening events as driven by prospect and donor relationships.
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
Manages a portfolio of prospects primarily consisting of both regional and national foundation prospects, evaluates existing strategies, builds connections, and tracks activities and reports as required
Leads the end-to-end development of letters of inquiry and proposals for foundation grants and gifts
Serves as a unit liaison to internal and external constituencies, builds relationships, provides information, and represents the interests of the…