Managing Senior Director of Development / AVP & Managing Director - Foundation Relations

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is recruiting an experienced Foundation Relations professional to lead our centralized Foundation Relations (FR) program. This is an opportunity to shape a scalable, strategic approach to foundation partnerships, driving transformative change and supporting the university’s mission for years to come. This position will oversee a team of Foundation Relations Development Directors (FRDoDs), each assigned to campus units based on their interest, investment, and readiness to participate. The FR Manager will ensure tailored support and strategic alignment, working within the WFAA and UW Foundation cost-sharing agreement for DoDs while partnering with the University of Wisconsin Vice Chancellor for Research. This is a hybrid role that will require you to work in Madison, WI office at least two days weekly.

This position can be hired as a Managing Senior Director of Development, Foundation Relations or AVP & Managing Director, Foundation Relations, depending on skills and experience.

Required Qualifications:

Managing Senior Director of Development,

• 5 + years of proven experience in foundation relations, fundraising, or related fields.
• 1 + years of experience in a team leadership or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience in the private grant-making process and best practices for building relationships with decision makers at private foundations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage cross-unit collaborations.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to meet travel requirements (up to 20%).

 AVP & Managing Director: (All listed above plus)

• 10 + years of professional leadership experience in complex development programs (preferably within health care / medicine)
• 2 + years proven supervisory and management skills, both strategic and operational.
• A demonstrated ability to build, manage, mentor and motivate an effective team, especially through times of growth and change.
• Effective at establishing processes, metrics and accountabilities and coaching toward goals.