Leadership Annual Giving Officer

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. 

• 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.) 

• 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 

Complete application materials must include a cover letter and detailed resume addressing educational and professional level work experience as it relates to all minimum and preferred qualifications.   

In instances where the Search and Screen Committee is unable to ascertain from a candidate’s application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they will be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications.