Development Officer

Job Duties:

The UW-Stout Foundation and Alumni Association, Inc. at the University of Wisconsin-Stout is accepting applications for a full-time Development Officer. The Development Officer will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts—both current and deferred—to the colleges, departments, and programs of University of Wisconsin-Stout. 

The position complements the development efforts of the Chancellor and Deans and works closely with college faculty and staff, as well as the Board of Directors and staff of the Stout University Foundation.  The Development Officer will work primarily with alumni, friends, and foundations to determine philanthropic interests and goals, and effectively close gifts in support of the university’s strategic fundraising priorities.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Develops and delivers targeted fundraising and communication programs and materials specific to gift contributions in alignment with strategic initiatives
• Identifies, promotes, and maintains donor relationships and identifies solicitation opportunities specifically designed for the generation of gifts to reach program funding goals
• Serves as a unit liaison to internal and external constituencies, provides information and represents the interests of the institution
• Develops and updates prospect portfolios, evaluates existing strategy and recommends improvements to leadership

Department:

The UW-Stout Office of University Advancement is comprised of the UW-Stout Foundation and Alumni Association. The two units collaboratively strive to advance the mission of UW-Stout through building relationships with alumni, friends, and industry partners of the university. Under the direction of the UW-Stout Foundation Board of Directors, the UW-Stout Foundation is responsible for the acquisition and stewardship of philanthropic resources for UW-Stout.

Compensation:

Minimum starting salary of $80,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  A six-month probationary period is required.

The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees.  

• Employee Benefits:  https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/ 
• To calculate the estimated value of your total compensation, use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator | Employee Benefits (wisconsin.edu)

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• Experience in professional or higher education fund raising, financial services, public relations, marketing or sales.
• Demonstrated communications and interpersonal skills and success in working in a team setting.
• Commitment to higher education and a strong desire to champion the mission of the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2 years professional development experience, with demonstrated ability to promote and successfully solicit major and planned gifts by identifying gift prospects, managing caseload, designing and implementing cultivation and solicitation strategies, and ensuring follow-up activities and stewardship.
• Experience in higher education.
• Demonstrate experience with comprehensive fundraising strategies, major gift fundraising and estate or planned giving tools.

How to Apply:

Complete applications received by end of day, October 10, 2025, are ensured full consideration.  Applications submitted after October 10, 2025, may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee or until position is filled.

To apply, click on the APPLY button or go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs

Required application materials:

Cover letter (* See below) &

Curriculum vitae or resume

All final candidates will be asked to provide names, email contact information, and/or phone numbers for three (3) references, with at least one being from a manager or supervisor, during the interview process.  

*Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual's disability.

Contact Information:

For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:

Search Chair: Holly Bembenek

Email: bembenekh@uwstout.edu

If you need assistance with the online application process or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all the required application materials, please contact:

Search Coordinator: Jackie Berg       

Email: bergja@uwstout.edu

Guidelines to ensure consideration:    

Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required application materials.     

Within your cover letter address each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications specified for this position. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.  

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual's disability.   

The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees. 

Employee Benefits:  https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/

To calculate the estimated value of your total compensation, use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator | Employee Benefits (wisconsin.edu)

Employment is contingent upon the final candidate’s completing a criminal background check and being cleared to work by the Human Resources Office.  Employment is also contingent upon the final candidate passing reference checks and an essential job function test, as applicable. The reference check process includes asking the final candidates’ professional references questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence, and sexual harassment. Reference checks must be conducted at a minimum with three professional references, at least one of which must be a prior supervisor.

Final candidates with previous employment within the Universities of Wisconsin and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks. 

In response to a public records request, the Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

UW-Stout is committed to providing safety and security of all members of our community in accordance with the Clery Act. For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/life-stout/police-and-parking/clery-information

EEO Statement
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.