Executive Director of Development

Executive Director of Development
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | University Advancement
Full time | Partially remote (hybrid) | La Crosse, Wisconsin
Compensation: $145,000/year, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The Executive Director of Development plays a leadership role in fundraising for the University and the UW-La Crosse Alumni & Friends Foundation. In partnership with the Vice Chancellor of University Advancement/Foundation President, the director leads the Development Team and implements a major giving program covering annual, leadership annual, major, and principal giving. The director serves as principal gift officer and leads a team toward annual fundraising metrics and goals, supported by advancement services, prospect management, alumni engagement, operations, and finance teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Serve as liaison and expert for assigned academic units, communicating their programs, research, faculty, priorities, needs, and funding initiatives. Attend cultivation and stewardship events; meet regularly with academic leaders to review reporting, prospect strategies, assignments, and progress. Educate Foundation colleagues about assigned units.
• Cultivate and solicit philanthropic relationships through in-state, regional, and national travel. Understand UWL and Foundation history, strategic plans, priorities, and funding needs. Develop expertise in assigned fundraising specialties or initiatives.
• Partner with the Director of Strategic Alumni Engagement on the Foundation Board's Philanthropy & Engagement Committee and donor stewardship. Engage campus leaders in fundraising and provide educational opportunities to deepen campus philanthropy.
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward approximately 75 major and principal gift prospects. Supervise major gift officers, execute work plans toward fundraising goals, and establish campaign-ready prospect pipelines for the university's first comprehensive campaign.
• Develop and manage volunteers, draft correspondence and proposals, collaborate across Foundation departments, and maintain a professional, proactive, collaborative, performance-focused work environment. Complete other assigned duties; responsibilities may change.

TRAVEL AND WORK REQUIREMENTS
Local, regional, and national travel up to 25%; some evenings and weekends. Candidates must be able to travel by all modes of transportation and hold a valid driver's license. Significant telephone and computer use is required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's degree.
• Proven major and principal gift fundraising experience and results meeting or exceeding benchmarks.
• Prior nonprofit or higher education development experience.
• Strong verbal, written, and listening skills; independent initiative; organizational management and attention to detail; and time management across complex tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and on a dynamic team, collaborate across functions, and commit to UWL's vision, mission, and values.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Seven or more years of major/principal gift fundraising, preferably in higher education.
• Experience leading a successful fundraising campaign.
• Proficiency in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge.

APPLICATION REVIEW
Review begins November 20, 2026. Applications received by that date receive priority; review continues until filled. Initial interviews are virtual, followed by campus interviews for shortlisted candidates. Incomplete or late materials may not receive consideration.

WORK AUTHORIZATION
UWL does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this role. Candidates must have and maintain U.S. work authorization. Questions: Human Resources, 608-785-8013.

BENEFITS
The university describes benefits as adding 40%+ to the overall financial package. Highlights include paid vacation for 12-month positions, health insurance, paid holidays and sick leave, and retirement system vesting after five years. Eligibility is determined at hire and benefits are prorated by appointment percentage.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
UWL is subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law. Applicant confidentiality requests are honored except where disclosure is legally required; final candidate or appointee identities may be disclosed. Employment screening includes criminal background checks, work authorization and education verification, and questions to candidates and references regarding sexual violence and harassment.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports: https://www.uwlax.edu/student-life/student-resources/annual-security-report/ or University Police, 608-785-9000.

UW IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, protected veteran status, or other legally protected bases.

ABOUT UWL
UWL is a regional comprehensive university of approximately 10,500 students in La Crosse, Wisconsin, along the Mississippi River in the Driftless Region. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs and a collaborative campus environment.

See the employer's original posting for full details. Requisition JR10015484.