Careers at WFAA

Associate Vice President and Managing Director, UW Health Kids/American Family Children’s Hospital (AFCH)

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and UW Health, is seeking a dynamic, innovative, and experienced Associate Vice President of Development to lead the UW Health Kids program including the American Family Children’s Hospital (AFCH) and the Department of Pediatrics. While employed by WFAA and reporting to the Vice President and Managing Group Leader of Wisconsin Medicine at WFAA, the Managing Director/Associate Vice President of Development will work in close partnership with the Vice President, Pediatric Services/President of AFCH, Department of Pediatrics Chair and other leaders at UW Health Kids/AFCH. If you are strategic, proactive, highly collaborative, and strong leader with a passion for advancing healthcare and community engagement, we invite you to join us in advancing the UW Health Kids/AFCH program and making a meaningful impact on children’s lives.

The UW Health Kids/AFCH Development Program has had strong fundraising raising success over the years through various capital campaigns and fundraising efforts and is considered one of the most mature fundraising programs within Wisconsin Medicine. There yet remains an opportunity to not only increase the program’s annual fundraising efforts, but to implement innovative new fundraising and engagement strategies to enhance short- and long-term success of the program.

About Wisconsin Medicine:

Wisconsin Medicine is a collaboration between two of the world’s leading medical institutions, UW Health and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), who have worked together for more than a century on innovative treatments, trailblazing research, renowned education, and compassionate patient care.

This powerful combination is in a unique position to usher in a new era of medicine, one that builds on the cutting-edge breakthroughs and discoveries already achieved. There’s more work to be done — and more lives to be saved.

Wisconsin Medicine, the philanthropic brand for SMPH and UW Health, is an effort to fight debilitating diseases and solve some of the world’s most pressing health challenges through philanthropy. For the 12^th consecutive year, US News & World Report ranked UW Health Wisconsin Hospitals as No. 1 in Wisconsin on its Best Hospitals list and the University of Wisconsin SMPH is a world-recognized research and education system. Now, Wisconsin Medicine is preparing for the extraordinary. It’s the Wisconsin Idea in action — making a difference in our state, throughout the nation, and around the world. Learn more about Wisconsin Medicine at https://www.wiscmedicine.org/.

About UW Health Kids/ American Family Children’s Hospital

UW Health Kids includes all pediatric services and programs at UW Health. Locations include American Family Children’s Hospital and our partner and regional clinics across Wisconsin and Illinois. Named for a generous gift from American Family Insurance and designed around the needs of children and families, it is home to some of the nation’s foremost experts in medicine and surgery. American Family Children’s Hospital is a world-class children’s medical and surgical level I trauma center offering level 4 neonatal intensive care, a pediatric intensive care unit, leading transplant program, level 4 epilepsy center, verified pediatric burn center and one of nine institutions in the pediatric cancer Dream Team, all housed in a family friendly child-centric facility. Named a Best Children’s Hospital in 2 specialties by US News & World Report, this modern facility offers patients and families access to cutting-edge treatments in a child-centric and family friendly environment optimal for healing. We are a full-service, comprehensive children’s hospital, caring for the sickest and most seriously injured infants, children, and adolescents. Our patients are referred from throughout Wisconsin, the United States, and beyond. In addition, we have a strong local primary care network and child health advocacy program that is essential in maintaining and promoting good health and well-being for kids of all ages.

Many pediatric services within UW Health Kids and at American Family Children’s Hospital are provided by faculty physicians and surgeons across several different departments within the University of Wisconsin SMPH, with the primary partner being the Department of Pediatrics. This important partnership works to promote and enhance the health of children through outstanding clinical care, exemplary education of pediatric trainees, performance of cutting-edge research, and vigorous advocacy. It is the academic home to more than 200 faculty members across 16 subspeciality divisions and is ranked 7^th in the nation for NIH funding.

Who is WFAA?

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.

Diversity and Inclusion:

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

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership:

Serve on the WI Medicine Leadership team, share best practices across divisions, and model a high level of collaboration across various teams.
Serve as the key center point for all elements of the UW Health Kids / AFCH Development program, bringing together campus stakeholders, WFAA colleagues, and Wisconsin Medicine divisions to support a dynamic and growing community asset.
Champion the UW Health Kids / AFCH Development Team:
- Foster excitement and productivity among the UW Health Kids / AFCH development team members.
- Grow and develop the team by supporting professional growth, encouraging continuous learning, and enhancing overall program success.
- Manage workflow, define roles and responsibilities, expectations, and training opportunities.
- Provide leadership and support to empower team members to achieve individual and programmatic goals.
Drive Innovation and Idea Generation:
- Proactively initiate innovative strategies and ideas to advance the UW Health Kids / AFCH development program.
- Assess challenges, implement creative solutions, and seize opportunities in support of pediatric healthcare.
Increase Community Presence and Visibility:
- Serve as the face of the UW Health Kids / AFCH development program and build relationships with stakeholders to elevate philanthropic engagement.
- Identify and engage new stakeholders to support the UW Health Kids / AFCH development program and board.
Develop objectives, priorities, and strategies for principal, major, and planned gift development related to capital campaigns, special programs, and ongoing fund raising.
Plan and prioritize work, using time and other resources effectively to maximize desired outcomes for self, team, and program.

Collaboration:

Collaborate with campus leaders to generate the vision for philanthropy at UW Health Kid / AFCH, navigate numerous stakeholder perspectives and priorities, and articulate the case for philanthropic investment.
Collaborate with campus leaders, WFAA leaders, and WI Medicine colleagues to discuss major donor prospects, sharing advice / information, and coordinating activities on shared prospects / donors.
Partner with the Wisconsin Medicine principal gifts (PG) team and the Vice President of PG prospects.
Partner with Wisconsin Medicine leadership to ensure success of all capital campaigns and large fundraising initiatives.
Partner with Wisconsin Medicine divisions (Annual Giving, Stewardship and Donor Relations, Marketing, and Events) to drive strategic program development focused on increasing the donor pipeline by raising the profile of UW Health Kids / AFCH, attracting new donors, increasing retention of donors and providing outstanding stewardship.

Development:

Implement development strategies with assigned constituencies, managing a portfolio of prospects and major gift donors in varying stages of involvement to advance them strategically through the development process.
Work with research and prospect management, business intelligence, and development colleagues to identify and qualify a portfolio of major gift prospects from existing and potential donors.
Communicate, problem solve, and anticipate needs of campus partner programs regarding accounting for donor created funds and serve as liaison between WFAA and medical partners, faculty, and staff.
Understand and access resources within WFAA to support the fund development process, e.g., research, planned giving, real estate, accounting, and investments.
Plan and conduct trips, events, and other ongoing engagement opportunities to build relationships with donors, effectively presenting the case for philanthropic support and explaining gift opportunities.
Develop and write major gift proposals, utilizing both current and planned gift opportunities to best meet donors’ needs, interests, and financial capabilities, including structuring complex or special gifts as appropriate.
Artfully ask for the right gift, at the right time, in the right way.
Plan and implement meaningful stewardship recognition for donors, including writing thank you letters, making personal calls, arranging meetings, hosting events, etc.
Plan and implement ongoing communication and stewardship with donors.

Board Management:

UW Health Kids / AFCH Advisory Board

In partnership with UW Health Kids / AFCH leadership:

- Manage the current UW Health Kids / AFCH Advisory Board and Executive Committee
- Continuously identify and recruit new board members to diversify expertise and support.
- Inspire the AFCH Advisory Board with high level communication by sharing emerging priorities and create opportunities for proactive engagement.
Friends of UW Health Board of Directors
- Serve as UW Health Kids / AFCH liaison between UW Health Kids / AFCH and the Friends of UW Health on various initiatives such as the bi-annual Friends of UW Health Gala and Hearts and Hands event.
- Collaborate with the WFAA Friends of UW Health program manager.

Requirements and Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

10 + years of professional leadership experience in complex development and alumni relations programs (preferably within higher education) recognized for their strength and effectiveness, meaningful experience in or knowledge of all key development areas.
Proven supervisory and management skills, both strategic and operational. A demonstrated ability to build, manage, mentor and motivate an effective team, especially through times of growth and change. Effective at establishing processes, metrics and accountabilities.
Demonstrated success in personally soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gifts, with significant experience closing gifts of $1 million or more. A high level of comfort and effectiveness working with high-net-worth individuals. A deep appreciation for the history, achievements, and aspirations of the medical program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The ability to effectively articulate the hospital’s vision and case for philanthropy.
The credibility, maturity and sound judgment that inspire the trust and respect of academic leaders, donors, colleagues, and team members.
The political savvy to navigate a complex academic community; the ability to build bridges and strong collaborative relationships with a range of internal colleagues and external stakeholders.
Superior communication skills and the ability to connect with a variety of audiences, clarity and effectiveness in written and oral presentation. Exemplary interpersonal and listening skills.
Experience and demonstrated success in fundraising or related activities.
Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills required.
Ability to meet travel requirements (up to 20%).

Other Qualifications:

Ability to articulate the case for private support with sufficient effectiveness so that individuals understand the vision and strategy of Wisconsin Medicine and choose to make a philanthropic investment.
Ability to work independently, in addition to as a member of an effective development team.
Prior experience leading pediatric development teams.
Prior experience working within an academic medical center.

WFAA is committed to provide our employees with an environment that is inspiring, creative and respectful. We offer competitive pay and an excellent benefits program, which includes a 10% 401k contribution after 1 year of service!

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer *The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (advanceuw.org) is the “doing business as” name of the merged organization comprising the University of Wisconsin Foundation (supportuw.org) and the Wisconsin Alumni Association (uwalumni.com). Its legal corporate name is registered as the University of Wisconsin Foundation.