Leadership Annual Giving Officer

Universities of Wisconsin; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Universities of Wisconsin seeks a Gift Officer I to lead leadership annual giving, cultivate donor relationships, and drive revenue for program funding. You will manage a sizable portfolio, partner with UA leadership, and craft tailored solicitation strategies to meet annual goals.

The role emphasizes data-driven fundraising, collaboration across campus, and effective use of CRM and database tools to track progress and optimize donor engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience in client service roles such as advancement, development, non-profit management, or related field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with computers and standard applications (Microsoft Office, Adobe, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Identify and cultivate donor prospects at leadership annual giving levels.
• Develop and implement fundraising plans and meet gift goals.
• Manage a portfolio of up to 200 donors and prospects; track progress with data.
• Collaborate with University Advancement staff and UA leadership to optimize fundraising outcomes.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Computers & software

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM software

Database solutions

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title:

Leadership Annual Giving Officer

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Gift Officer I

Job Duties:

The Gift Officer I –Leadership Annual Giving Officer identifies and cultivates relationships with donor prospects at leadership annual giving levels, develops and implements fundraising plans, and works collaboratively with other Advancement staff to meet predefined gift contribution goals.

This position is a member of the frontline development team whose primary responsibility is revenue generation through relationship-based fundraising activities. This individual manages a portfolio of up to 200 mid-capacity prospects and develops a strategy for each prospect moving them closer to gift solicitation. This individual is strategic, thoughtful, and has strong relationship development skills. They work always to meet metrics as set forth by the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development, being as productive as possible while employing efficient strategies for success.

The primary job responsibilities include:

• Managing a portfolio of up to 200 donors and prospects;
• Working with UA leadership to set goals;
• Developing custom strategies to successfully engage and solicit donors and prospects under management;
• Engaging prospects and donors through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activity to meet goals and maintain long-term relationships while growing future fundraising opportunities.

The Gift Officer will need to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in using database solutions to execute strategies with prospects and donors and to track relationship status. It is critical that the individual embraces UWM’s University Advancement’s data-driven culture. Much of the portfolio management will be tracked and optimized through utilization of AI-assisted data solutions and qualified candidates will need extensive database and technological skills.

The Gift Officer will need to adopt a team-centric approach and create partnerships and strong relationships with members of the University Advancement team, colleagues, and academic leaders working in divisions across UWM’s campus and staff and colleagues at the UWM Foundation, Inc., UWM’s closely affiliated non-profit foundation.

The Gift Officer must demonstrate independent, proactive, creative and strategic thinking when approaching their work. They must have strong communication skills and be eager to use database solutions to create efficient and productive results. The Gift Officer will be a key member of the team of fundraisers, must manage multiple, simultaneous assignments, and meet deadlines without compromising quality in a service-oriented environment.

Additional Responsibilities Include:

• Identifies, promotes, and maintains donor relationships and identifies solicitation opportunities specifically designed for the generation of gifts to reach program funding goals.
• Develops and delivers targeted fundraising and communication programs and materials specific to gift contributions in alignment with strategic initiatives.
• Works with Prospect Management Team to develop and update prospect portfolios and evaluate existing strategies.
• Serves as a front-facing member of the University Advancement team providing information to donors and prospects and representing the interests of the institution.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Serves as a unit liaison to internal and external constituencies, provides information and represents the interests of the institution
• Identifies, promotes, and maintains donor relationships and identifies solicitation opportunities specifically designed for the generation of gifts to reach program funding goals
• Develops and delivers targeted fundraising and communication programs and materials specific to gift contributions in alignment with strategic initiatives
• Develops and updates prospect portfolios, evaluates existing strategy and recommends improvements to leadership

Department: University Advancement

Compensation: $60,000 - $70,000

(Final salary offer will be determined based on qualifications and experience)

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience working in a client service profession such as advancement, development, non-profit management, or a related field
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with computers and standard applications (Microsoft Office, Adobe, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated track record of successful annual gift solicitation, sponsorship solicitations, or equivalent measurable achievement in another profession
• Broad-based fundraising experience in annual giving, proposal and report preparation, event and/or meeting planning
• Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) software applications and/or database solutions for event management or marketing, etc.
• Experience in conceiving and managing projects from inception to delivery, including tracking and reporting results
• Experience working in large, complex institutions like universities, hospitals, or government agencies

Contact Information:

Deshanna Taylor- HR Coordinator

[e-mail]

Reasonable Accommodations
Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact [e-mail] or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWM is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWM will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC and Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check. UWM takes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For the UWM Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM’s Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at [phone] for a paper copy.

Employment Authorization
In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

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.