Development Officer

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Job Duties:

The UW-Stout Polytechnic Foundation and Alumni Association, Inc. at the University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic is accepting applications for a full-time Development Officer. The Development Officer will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts—both current and deferred—to the colleges, departments, and programs of University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic. The position complements the development efforts of the Chancellor and Development team and works closely with college faculty and staff, as well as the Board of Directors and staff. The Development Officer will work primarily with alumni, friends, and foundations to determine philanthropic interests and goals, and effectively close gifts in support of the university’s strategic fundraising priorities.

Key Job Responsibilities:

The primary responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of assigned college(s) and individual programs’ mission and needs as they pertain to fundraising priorities.

• Work collaboratively with the Deans, Department Chairs, Program Directors, faculty and volunteers in strategies for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors.

• Develop and implement strategy for each prospect, including ways to increase involvement by donors and prospects in the activities of UW-Stout Polytechnic.

• Conceive, write and edit fundraising proposals.

• Support the donor database management system by maintaining and ensuring development actions are up-to-date and accurate in individual’s record.

• Analysis research reports and information from the system database on assigned donors and prospects.

• Develop and maintain prospect list with annual goals for visits and dollars raised.

• Coordinate development activities and manage a personal portfolio of prospects and donors to ensure timely steps are taken toward solicitation, gift closure, and stewardship.

• Plan and conduct trips in key geographic areas to qualify and cultivate donors, and work with alumni and development staff, as well as college deans and faculty as appropriate to maximize fundraising results.

• Utilize both current and planned gift opportunities to best meet donors' needs, interests, and financial giving capabilities.

• Assure that the Chancellor, Dean and volunteers have appropriate levels of support in their fundraising activities.

• Represent the assigned areas of focus at appropriate college and university development meetings and events.

• Provide leadership and support to volunteer boards, or groups, which may be developed for fundraising projects.

• Represent the Foundation at various college, university and Alumni Association events.

• Play an active role in the development and improvement of university external communications related to the assigned areas of focus for the purpose of stewardship and identification of appropriate donor and prospect recognition and engagement opportunities.

• Execute other stewardship activities specific to major and planned giving donors.

Department:

The UW-Stout Polytechnic Foundation and Alumni Association strive to advance the mission of UW-Stout Polytechnic through building relationships with alumni, friends, and industry partners of the university. Under the direction of the UW-Stout Polytechnic Foundation and Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Foundation and Alumni Association is responsible for the acquisition and stewardship of philanthropic resources for UW-Stout Polytechnic.

Compensation:

Minimum starting salary of $75,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree

• Experience in professional or higher education fundraising, financial services, public relations, marketing or sales

• Demonstrated communications and interpersonal skills and success in working in a team setting

• Commitment to higher education and a strong desire to champion the mission of the University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2 years professional development experience, with demonstrated ability to promote and successfully solicit major and planned gifts by identifying gift prospects, managing portfolios, designing and implementing cultivation and solicitation strategies, and ensuring follow-up activities and stewardship

• Experience in higher education

• Demonstrate experience with comprehensive fundraising strategies, major gift fundraising and estate or planned giving tools

How to Apply:

Complete applications received by end of day, November 24, are ensured full consideration. Applications submitted after this date may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee or until position is filled.

To apply, click on the APPLY button or go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs

Due to system limitations, applicants may upload no more than five (5) attachments. Please combine documents where appropriate.

Required application materials:

• Cover letter (* See below)

• Curriculum vitae or resume

All final candidates will be asked to provide names, email contact information, and/or phone numbers for three (3) references, with at least one being from a manager or supervisor, during the interview process.  

*Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.

Official transcripts required at time of hire.

Contact Information:

For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:

Search Chair: Holly Bembenek

Email: [email protected]

If you need assistance with the online application process or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all the required application materials, please contact:

Search Coordinator: Jackie Berg

Email: [email protected]

Guidelines to ensure consideration:    

• Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required application materials.     

• Within your cover letter address each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications specified for this position. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.  

It is the policy of UW-Stout Polytechnic to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual's disability.   

The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees. 

• Employee Benefits:  https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/

• To calculate the estimated value of your total compensation, use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator | Employee Benefits (wisconsin.edu)

Employment is contingent upon the final candidate’s completing a criminal background check and being cleared to work by the Human Resources Office.  Employment is also contingent upon the final candidate passing reference checks and an essential job function test, as applicable. The reference check process includes asking the final candidates’ professional references questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence, and sexual harassment. Reference checks must be conducted at a minimum with three professional references, at least one of which must be a prior supervisor.

Final candidates with previous employment within the Universities of Wisconsin and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks. 

In response to a public records request, the Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

UW-Stout Polytechnic is committed to providing safety and security of all members of our community in accordance with the Clery Act. For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/life-stout/police-and-parking/clery-information

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.