Director, Entrepreneurs Network

Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA) seeks a Director, Entrepreneurs Network to shape a global community of UW–Madison alumni founders, entrepreneurs, investors, and startup leaders. In a hybrid role, you will develop programs, nurture relationships, and partner with the Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub and campus colleagues to grow UW–Madison's entrepreneurship ecosystem.

You will lead strategy, build scalable programs, manage volunteers, and rely on data-driven engagement to

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, launch, and growth of the Badger Founders Network, establishing a nationally recognized community of UW-Madison alumni founders, entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation leaders.
• Design and implement a scalable, sustainable operating model that supports growth across key geographic markets and stages of member engagement.
• Develop and oversee a community-based volunteer leadership structure to expand the network's reach and impact.
• Create data-informed engagement strategies that connect founders with one another, the university and entrepreneurial initiatives across the UW ecosystem.
• Collaborate with colleagues across WFAA, campus partners, and external stakeholders to plan and execute engagement initiatives in Madison and priority founder communities nationwide.

Job description

Overview

Are you an entrepreneurial, relationship-driven leader excited by the opportunity to build something with lasting impact? The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA), the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is seeking a Director, Entrepreneurs Network, to shape and grow a global community of UW-Madison alumni founders, innovators, investors, and startup leaders. In this highly collaborative role, you will create meaningful connections, develop engaging programs and experiences, and partner across WFAA, the Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub, and the university to strengthen UW-Madison's entrepreneurship ecosystem. This is an opportunity to bring a bold vision to life while helping Badgers connect, collaborate, and contribute their expertise in support of UW-Madison.

The Director, Entrepreneurs Network, will lead the development and growth of a global community of UW-Madison alumni founders, entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and startup leaders. This role will create and execute a comprehensive strategy to identify and engage alumni, foster meaningful connections, and strengthen the university's entrepreneurship ecosystem. Working across WFAA and in close partnership with the Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub, campus colleagues, volunteers, and external stakeholders, the Director will build scalable programs, experiences, communications, and communities in Madison and key markets nationwide. Through strategic relationship management, constituent data, technology, events, and volunteer leadership, the Director will expand the network, deepen alumni connections to UW-Madison, and create opportunities for members to contribute their expertise, leadership, and support to the university's entrepreneurship efforts. This hybrid position requires you to work weekly in our Madison, WI office.

Who is WFAA?

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is a private, nonprofit corporation that encourages individuals and organizations to make gifts to the university and to connect with the UW. In 2014, the UW Foundation merged with the Wisconsin Alumni Association® to better serve a growing population of UW alumni and donors. We believe that private support grows out of good relationships between campus leaders, faculty, and program staff who need support, and the alumni and friends who want to invest in UW-Madison. We provide important engagement opportunities to link UW-Madison alumni to each other and to their alma mater, building a strong community of Badgers.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Just as the university community benefits from differing viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences, inclusion and diversity are imperative for the success of our mission. WFAA values people and the differences that they bring to the organization, and creates an environment in which all staff members and constituents feel respected and have opportunities to thrive.

Essential Functions

Program Development and Leadership

• Lead the strategy, launch, and growth of the Badger Founders Network, establishing a nationally recognized community of UW-Madison alumni founders, entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation leaders.
• Design and implement a scalable, sustainable operating model that supports growth across key geographic markets and stages of member engagement.
• Develop and oversee a community-based volunteer leadership structure to expand the network's reach and impact.
• Create data-informed engagement strategies that connect founders with one another, the university and entrepreneurial initiatives across the UW ecosystem.
• Collaborate with colleagues across WFAA, campus partners, and external stakeholders to plan and execute engagement initiatives in Madison and priority founder communities nationwide.
• Establish and monitor clear performance indicators (including founder identification, network growth, participation and program impact) using results to drive continuous improvement.
• Develop expertise in entrepreneurship ecosystems, founder engagement, and alumni network development, serving as a trusted resource for internal and external stakeholders.
• Bring an entrepreneurial, innovative, and collaborative approach in building new programs and pursuing opportunities that advance network objectives.
• Represent WFAA and the Badger Founders Network at campus, alumni, entrepreneurship and industry events, including travel as needed.

Constituent Relations

• Develop and execute strategies to identify, recruit, and engage alumni founders, entrepreneurs, investors, startup executives, and other members of the entrepreneurship community, leveraging university, industry, and alumni networks.
• Promote and expand the use of digital platforms, online communities, CRM tools, and engagement technologies to strengthen connections, facilitate resource sharing, and increase participation.
• Cultivate meaningful relationships with alumni founders, entrepreneurship leaders,