Senior Gift Officer - The College of Business and Economics and the Division of University Relations

UW-Whitewater

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university's 11,000 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs - online and in person - from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW has approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university's arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities - a priority mission since the 1970s.

UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin's Park Place.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

https://www.uww.edu

Position Details

Senior Gift Officer - The College of Business and Economics and the Division of University Relations
Job
Full-time
2/5/2024
Southwest Wisconsin
Whitewater, WI

ATTENTION:

The College of Business and Economics and the Division of University Relations at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater seeks a Senior Gift Officer (Gifts Officer II AV042).

JOB DETAILS:

The Senior Gift Officer serves as a liaison to the College of Business and Economics and identifies and cultivates relationships with donor prospects at major, principal, and/or planned gift levels. The Senior Gift Officer develops and implements fundraising plans, and works collaboratively with other University staff and leadership to meet predefined gift contribution goals.

This position identifies, promotes, and maintains donor relationships and identifies solicitation opportunities specifically designed for the generation of gifts to reach program funding goals. The selected candidate will frequently travel domestically to meet with high net-worth individuals, corporations, and major donors to solicit comprehensive and structured philanthropic gifts to drive long-term University support through strategic engagement. The Senior Gift Officer develops and delivers targeted fundraising campaigns and materials specific to gift contributions in alignment with strategic initiatives and priorities, as directed by the Dean of the College of Business and Economics and Vice Chancellor of University Relations. This position also develops and updates prospect portfolios, evaluates existing strategy, and recommends improvements to leadership. This position participates and leads Foundation Board Committees and meetings as requested and shares best practices with teammates and utilizes student help as necessary. The Senior Gift Officer serves as a unit liaison to internal and external constituencies, provides information and represents the interests of the institution.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

40% A. Research and Fundraising

  1. Utilize donor database and existing research tools to identify potential prospects.
  2. Engage a portfolio of 100+.
  3. Hold meetings annually and utilize other personal communication tools to develop strong donor and corporate relationships with the College of Business and Economics. Connect prospects with appropriate leadership, faculty, programs, and students aligned with the prospects' philanthropic interests and values.
  4. Work with donors on various giving vehicles to support Foundation funds such as scholarships and endowed funds, with a commitment to learning new techniques along the way.
  5. As a member of the College of Business and Economics, and University Relations teams, participate in setting the long-range and short-term fundraising strategy to reach annual and multi-year goals.
  6. Travel in-state as well as to assigned out-of-state regions to encourage philanthropy and alumni engagement among top prospects.

40% B. Program Liaison - College of Business and Economics

  1. Serve as the Foundation liaison to the College of Business and Economics. Assist College personnel in establishing philanthropy and alumni and corporate engagement strategy, including donor stewardship events, alumni engagement opportunities, and fundraising.
  2. Develop alumni and corporate partnerships that provide meaningful, relevant, and practical experiences for faculty, staff, and students
  3. Assist College personnel in setting annual and long-range fundraising goals and establishing strong donor relationships.
  4. Actively cultivate a philanthropy culture within the University by developing trust-based relationships with faculty, staff, and students in the College of Business and Economics.
  5. Support the Dean of the College of Business and Economics in managing the Deans Advisory Board.

10% C. University Relations

  1. Work with the University Relations and Foundation team to plan programs and events to increase donor and prospective donor engagement. Attend events to provide assistance and identify/cultivate/steward major gift prospect relationships.
  2. Recruit volunteers for boards and engagement opportunities to involve alumni and friends in the life of the University, specifically the College of Business and Economics.

10% D. Other Tasks

  1. Maintain accurate records, attend and contribute to division and college meetings and keep current on Foundation policies and procedures.
  2. Serve as the lead on special projects, Foundation Board committees, etc. as assigned.
  3. Due to the nature of the work, occasional evening and weekend responsibilities, as well as in-state and out-of-state travel, are essential parts of the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree 
  • 3-5 years of fundraising, sales or negotiation experience

Desired Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated interest in fundraising in a higher education setting 
  • Corporate fundraising and major gift solicitation experience 
  • Database and CRM experience 
  • Customer service background

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Integrity and demonstration of relationship-building skills 
  • Strong written and oral communication skills 
  • Tech-friendly with an interest in analytics 
  • A strategic mind with persuasion and negotiation skills 
  • Ability to take direction, work independently, and be a part of a collaborative team 
  • Ability to interact respectfully with people with diverse socioeconomic cultural and ethnic backgrounds 
  • Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $79,000 - $89,000.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 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. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.


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