Director, Foundation Relations – Engineering Impact

Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA); Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay and benefits

10% 401k contribution after 1 year

Job summary

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA) seeks a relationship-driven and strategic Director of Development, Foundation Relations to support UW–Madison's College of Engineering. This role focuses on connecting engineering priorities with philanthropic foundations and building lasting partnerships to advance research and education.

You will collaborate with college leadership, faculty, staff, and WFAA colleagues to identify funding opportunities, craft compelling proposals, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional work experience.
• Experience working in a university setting and an understanding of research/programs engineering fields.
• 3 + years of experience in fundraising from philanthropic foundations.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills, including grant writing skills.
• Ability to create and deliver concise informational presentations is required.
• Ability to meet travel requirements (25%).

Responsibilities

• Identifying and cultivating new relationships with foundations that support the programming and research goals of the College and its constituent departments and schools;
• Coordinating, managing and advancing existing relationships with external foundation funding partners;
• Developing strong collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders and leveraging those relationships to result in successful funding opportunities;
• Working with the dean, associate deans, department chairs, faculty, and staff to identify, develop, and submit funding proposals;
• Facilitating stewardship of awarded funds, including required reporting by funding partners and communicating research and programming impact to internal and external stakeholders;
• Creating and presenting concise, readily understood presentations of complex materials;
• Maintaining knowledge of current best practices and trends in foundation-based philanthropy;
• Successfully articulating department and College research and programming priorities to internal and external stakeholders;
• Understanding and accessing resources within WFAA to support the fund development process.

Skills

Grant writing

Oral & written communication

Presentation skills

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional work experience

Job description

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA) seeks a relationship-driven and strategic Director of Development, Foundation Relations to support UW–Madison's College of Engineering. This role focuses on connecting engineering priorities with philanthropic foundations and building lasting partnerships to advance research and education.

You will collaborate with college leadership, faculty, staff, and WFAA colleagues to identify funding opportunities, craft compelling proposals, and