Director of Annual Giving

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• Job Category: Academic Staff
• Employment Type: Regular
• Job Profile: Annual Giving Manager

Wisconsin Athletics is seeking a dynamic and strategic advancement professional to serve as the Director of Annual Giving. With general oversight from the Associate Athletics Director-Development and direct oversight from the Assistant Athletic Director-Development, this position plays a critical leadership role in designing, implementing, and managing annual giving programs that drive philanthropic support for Wisconsin Athletics. The Director will lead the planning and execution of comprehensive annual giving strategies to expand donor participation, increase contributions, and strengthen overall engagement.

This includes overseeing annual campaigns, premium seating contributions, ticket-related giving, sport-specific fundraising, and other donor acquisition and retention initiatives. The position will also collaborate closely with the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA), Athletics colleagues, and campus partners to integrate Wisconsin Athletics’ annual giving efforts with broader institutional priorities.

The successful candidate will combine strong leadership, strategic planning, and relationship-building skills to inspire donors and enhance support for Wisconsin student-athletes. This position requires the ability to analyze donor trends, develop innovative programs, manage events, and oversee communications that foster long-term donor loyalty. Evening, weekend, and occasional regional or national travel are required.

• Lead annual giving strategy by developing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive programs to increase donor participation and annual contributions.
• Oversee select premium seating contributions and ticket-related giving, ensuring alignment with donor levels, points systems, and Wisconsin Athletics priorities.
• Direct annual campaigns and sport-specific fundraising initiatives, collaborating with WFAA and internal partners to maximize outreach and participation.
• Analyze donor trends and leverage data-driven insights to identify opportunities for donor acquisition, retention, and growth.
• Collaborate across teams including Major Gifts, Stewardship, Brand Marketing, Communications, Ticketing, and WFAA to deliver integrated donor experiences.
• Lead annual giving events and engagement activities designed to build loyalty, recognize donors, and enhance long-term relationships.
• Manage communications and appeals to effectively engage donors through website, email, social media, print, and other outreach channels.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on annual giving strategies, advising Athletics leadership on best practices and innovative approaches.
• Promote the student-athlete experience in all initiatives, ensuring alignment with the mission and values of Wisconsin Athletics.

• Oversee select premium seating products operations
• Develops and schedules operational work plans for unit programs and events in support of strategic plan
• Successful management of cultivated and assigned donor portfolio
• Identifies opportunities for new programs and events to increase donor contributions, and serves as a subject matter on annual giving strategies
• Assists with implementing the unit personnel resource allocation plan including hiring, training, supervision, and resolution of non-routine personnel issues to ensure that work culture is customer service-oriented, productive, valuing of diversity, and fosters employee engagement and development
• Plans and directs staff implementation of the annual giving campaign and corresponding special events
• Evaluates existing donor strategy and makes recommendations to unit leadership for program enhancement
• Effectively solicit and procure major gifts ($25K+), annual fund gifts, and premium seating sales, and gifts for special campaigns/ initiatives.

Wisconsin Athletics, Development Department

The starting salary for the position is $70,000 (negotiable based on experience and qualifications).

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