Executive Director of Development

Universities of Wisconsin•La Crosse, WI

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
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
Prior non-proﬁt or higher education development experience
Must have a valid Driver’s License.
Legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Complete all other duties as assigned by supervisor (Vice Chancellor of Advancement/Foundation President). Duties and responsibilities may change at any time.