Director of Foundation Relations

Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Generous 401k contribution

Outstanding benefits program

Job summary

A leading foundation organization in Madison, WI, is seeking a Foundation Relations Manager to lead strategic initiatives and manage a team. This role involves mentoring staff, facilitating interdisciplinary partnerships, and developing fundraising strategies to enhance support for the University. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of foundation relations experience and strong leadership skills. The position offers competitive pay, hybrid working options, and a focus on creating an inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of proven experience in foundation relations or fundraising.
• 1+ years of experience in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience in the private grant-making process.
• Ability to meet travel requirements (up to 20%).

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of Foundation Relations Development Directors.
• Facilitate partnerships on strategic initiatives.
• Develop and distribute standard operating procedures for team consistency.

Skills

Foundation relations

Fundraising

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

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.

Donor and Campus Relationship Management

• Lead and mentor a team of FRDoDs, fostering collaboration across campus units.
• Facilitate cross-unit partnerships on interdisciplinary themes and strategic initiatives, advancing campus-wide “Big Ideas” that align with foundation funding priorities.
• Support faculty and staff in articulating interdisciplinary goals to increase competitiveness for major philanthropic support.
• Partner with the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) to leverage office tools, including limited submission processes and internal competitions, ensuring strategic proposal coordination campus-wide.
• Utilize CRM systems (UW and WFAA) to map relationships, track foundation engagement, and manage prospect pipelines efficiently.
• Engage newly hired faculty and administrators to activate existing foundation connections, build rapport with program officers, and open new funding pathways.
• Develop and disseminate standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training materials for FRDoDs and campus partners to ensure consistency and clarity.
• Maintain a centralized, leadership-approved list of foundation prospects, updated through regular collaboration.
• Implement qualitative and quantitative metrics tailored to FR work to assess impact, recognizing the long-term nature of foundation cultivation.

Strategic Impact

• Empower campus units to pursue high-impact opportunities while ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and funder expectations.
• Transform foundation fundraising across campus through strong leadership, clear processes, and collaborative tools.

Required Qualifications

Managing Senior Director of Development, Foundation Relations

• 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, Foundation Relations:

(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.

Other Qualifications

• Familiarity working with CRM systems and prospect management.
• Proven project management abilities, with a track record of successfully overseeing complex initiatives.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills, enabling effective agreements and partnerships.
• Expertise in conflict resolution, motivation, active listening, and organizational effectiveness.
• Ability to communicate effectively and meaningfully with groups and individuals to build effective working relationships.
• Creative and innovative approach to problem-solving and strategy development.
• Solid business acumen and political savvy, with an understanding of complex organizational environments.

At WFAA, we are dedicated to creating an inspiring, creative, and respectful work environment for our employees. We offer competitive pay and an outstanding benefits program, including a generous 10% 401k contribution after just one year of service! Join us and be part of a team that values your growth and well-being. Click here to learn more about our employee benefits!

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer *The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is the “doing business as” name of the merged organization comprising the University of Wisconsin Foundation (advanceuw.org) and the Wisconsin Alumni Association (uwalumni.com). Its legal corporate name is registered as the University of Wisconsin Foundation.

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