Executive Director, Medical Foundation

Peter Gray Executive Search; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent employee benefits plan

Job summary

The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation is seeking an Executive Director in Madison, Wisconsin to lead the Foundation's strategy, fundraising, and external relationships. The role requires building partnerships with physicians, medical schools, donors, and community organizations to advance health initiatives across the state.

As chief executive, you will work with the Board of Trustees to drive a sustainable philanthropic program, ensure strong governance, and elevate the Foundation's

Qualifications

• Progressive leadership experience in a nonprofit or foundation.
• Demonstrated success developing relationships that generate philanthropic support.
• Experience with a governing Board and nonprofit governance.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Board to establish strategic direction and priorities.
• Translate strategy into organizational priorities and resources.
• Develop and diversify philanthropic resources.
• Lead donor cultivation and stewardship with major partners.
• Represent the Foundation in Wisconsin and with partners.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Strategic thinking

Public speaking

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Thank you for your interest in the Executive Director position at the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation, in Madison (Fitchburg), Wisconsin.

• Job Title:Executive Director
• Employer:Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation
• Location:Madison, Wisconsin (onsite position at Fitchburg office just south of Madison)
• Salary range:$120,000 - $140,000
• Employment benefits:See summary of excellent employee benefits plan.

The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation exists to advance the health of the people of Wisconsin by supporting medical education and health initiatives, working toward a vision of a healthy Wisconsin for all. With assets of close to $17 million, the Foundation provides close to three-quarters of a million dollars each year in tuition assistance through scholarships, student loans, and awards, and supports more than 40 restricted funds benefiting research, education, and community health grants across the state.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced nonprofit development professional with a record of successful leadership in similarly mission-driven organizations.

Deadline: rolling. The position is open until filled. It was announced on September 10, 2026. Rather than setting an application deadline, we are considering applications and holding interviews on a rolling basis, with first-round interviews starting in October. For best consideration, please apply promptly; and please complete all questions in the application, including the cover letter/personal statement.Our goal is to fill this position by January 2027.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director is the chief executive of the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation and provides strategic, philanthropic, organizational, and external leadership in advancing the Foundation’s mission and long-term vitality. Working in partnership with the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director leads the Foundation’s strategic direction; develops and diversifies philanthropic resources; strengthens relationships across Wisconsin’s medical, philanthropic, and community sectors; and leads staff in translating strategy into meaningful results. The Executive Director serves as the Foundation’s principal ambassador and maintains a strong, collaborative relationship with the Wisconsin Medical Society and affiliated Wisconsin Medical Society organizations while preserving the Foundation’s independent governance and charitable purpose.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with the Board to establish and advance the Foundation’s strategic direction, priorities, and measures of success.
• Translate Board-approved strategy into organizational priorities, plans, & resource requirements.
• Assess emerging needs and opportunities affecting health, medical education, the physician workforce, and philanthropy in Wisconsin.
• Evaluate programs and initiatives for mission alignment, impact, sustainability, and appropriate use of resources.
• Strengthen the Foundation’s identity, visibility, and distinctive role within Wisconsin’s health and philanthropic landscape.

Philanthropy and Resource Development

• Lead development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy to grow and diversify philanthropic support.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward significant donors and prospects, including physicians, individuals, health systems, businesses, foundations, and other institutional partners.
• Expand major giving, planned and legacy giving, grants, sponsorships, and sources of support.
• Engage Trustees and other volunteer leaders as ambassadors, relationship-builders, and philanthropic partners.
• Ensure effective donor stewardship and appropriate administration of charitable gifts.

External Relations and Partnerships

• Serve as a visible and credible ambassador for the Foundation throughout Wisconsin.
• Build productive relationships with physicians, medical students, health systems, medical schools, community organizations, philanthropic institutions, businesses, and other partners.
• Identify opportunities to connect medical expertise, philanthropic resources, and community needs.
• Strengthen physician and student engagement with the Foundation as donors, volunteers, mentors, ambassadors, and partners.
• Provide strategic leadership for communications that demonstrate impact and increase awareness, participation, and support.

Board and Governance Partnership

• Serve as the principal staff partner to the Board and support Trustees in fulfilling their governance, fiduciary, and strategic responsibilities.
• Work with the Board Chair to develop effective agendas and provide timely information, analysis, and recommendations for Board decision-making.
• Support strong Board and committee practices, Trustee orientation and development, and succession planning.
• Partner with the Board to recruit and engage Trustees whose experience, relationships, and perspectives advance the Foundation’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Maintain appropriate distinctions between governance and management responsibilities.

Wisconsin Medical SocietyRelationships

• Maintain a collaborative and productive relationship with Wisconsin Medical Society leadership and affiliatedWisconsin Medical Societyorganizations.
• Identify opportunities for complementary initiatives, partnerships, and shared relationships that advance the Foundation’s mission.
• Clearly represent the Foundation’s distinct governance responsibilities, charitable purpose, resources, and interests.
• Navigate overlapping organizational relationships and priorities with diplomacy, transparency, and sound judgment.

Organizational and Financial Leadership

• Recruit, lead, develop, and retain a capable, collaborative staff team; establish clear expectations and delegate effectively.
• Develop and recommend annual budgets aligned with strategic priorities and available resources.
• Maintain executive accountability for financial performance, internal controls, charitable assets, restricted funds, and organizational sustainability.
• Provide the Board with timely financial information, forecasts, and analysis.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, Foundation policies, donor restrictions, and requirements associated with tax-exempt status.
• Identify and manage significant organizational, financial, operational, and reputational risks.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Progressive leadership experience in a nonprofit, foundation, association, health-related, educational,philanthropic, or similarly mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated success developing relationships that generate philanthropic support, partnerships, or other organizational resources.
• Experience working effectively with a governing Board and knowledge of nonprofit governance.
• Strong strategic thinking and demonstrated ability to translate strategy into priorities and results.
• Financial acumen sufficient to oversee budgets, financial performance, and stewardship of organizational resources.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and delegate effectively to staff.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, verbal, and public communication skills.
• Sound judgment, integrity, and demonstrated ability to navigate complex relationships and competing interests.

Preferred

• Significant fundraising and development experience, including direct donor cultivation and solicitation.
• Experience in health care, medicine, medical education, public health, philanthropy, or an affiliated association/foundation environment.
• Experience with major, institutional, or planned giving.
• Experience building partnerships across organizations or sectors.
• Familiarity with grantmaking, scholarships, or other philanthropic programs.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and substantial relevant professional experience. Advanced education or relevant professional credentials are valued but not required.

LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS

The successful Executive Director will be mission-driven, strategic, trustworthy, collaborative, and externally oriented. The individual will be an accomplished relationship-builder and communicator; a thoughtful partner to the Board; an effective fundraiser; a responsible financial steward; and a supportive leader who delegates effectively, develops others, and is comfortable making decisions. Curiosity, adaptability, diplomacy, and a genuine commitment to improving health in Wisconsin are essential.

These characteristics closely reflect the convergence in the staff and Board discovery materials around mission commitment, trust, collaboration, communication, strategic thinking, fundraising, Board management, fiscal responsibility, staff support, adaptability, and external engagement.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires regular statewide engagement and travel, with periodic evening and weekend commitments associated with Board meetings, donor engagement, programs, and events. Reasonable accommodations will be provided consistent with applicable law.