Director, Constituent Programs

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA), the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for the University of Wisconsin–Madison, is seeking a Director for Constituent Programs to join the Alumni Relations & Engagement team!

In this role, you will serve the Alumni Relations and Engagement division as the strategic lead and people leader for those working with program portfolios focused on engaging key constituent segments, including diverse alumni, students, recent graduates, and other organizationally determined priority segments. This position will lead the development of data-informed strategies to build affinity and deepen relationships of constituents with the university and WFAA.

This individual will lead portfolio teams to design engagement initiatives in support of divisional business area plans and will work with WFAA and campus partners to deliver initiatives that will engage key audiences. In addition, they will supervise professional and part-time staff and serve as a lead on cross-functional teams and initiatives. This is a hybrid position that requires you to work weekly in our Madison, WI office.

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.

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.

• Supervise and lead a team of full and part-time staff on the Constituent Program Team, including leading cross-functional portfolio teams to set strategies aligned with business area plan outcomes; budgeting; and overseeing the execution of tactics in the plans.
• Coach and support the portfolio leads team members in the management of priorities and workflow, ensuring effective planning and execution of activities.
• Identify resource gaps and problem-solve solutions for maximum return.
• Collaborate with the Associate Vice President for Engagement Programs and other program directors to ensure consistency across teams in approach to planning, execution, and intended outcomes.
• Provide leadership for the design and delivery of engagement strategies that serve to establish and grow key constituent segments through engagements with UW/WFAA.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and serve as project lead at times.
• Intentionally solicit feedback and participation from volunteers, alumni, and donors in the design and development of engagement strategy.
• Build and cultivate relationships with members of constituent groups, ensuring regular, clear, and professional communication.
• Supervise and develop professional and part-time staff across constituent portfolio program staff to ensure consistency in approach and execution across portfolio teams and staff members.
• Hold team members accountable to expectations, fluencies, and best practices.
• Motivate, inspire,…