Director of Philanthropic Engagement

The Director of Philanthropic Engagement leads the strategy and implementation of philanthropy, foundation and corporate relations, donor engagement and strategic communications for the Center for Healthy Minds (CHM). This role is responsible for building a sustainable advancement program that supports our mission to cultivate wellbeing and relieve suffering through a scientific understanding of the mind.

-Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute CHM's philanthropic strategies and goals in collaboration with Center leadership and the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA).

-Data-Driven Growth: Use data to evaluate strategy effectiveness, identify new funding opportunities, and re-engage partners to grow the donor pipeline.

-Relationship Management: Serve as the primary center liaison to the WFAA, coordinating with their Director(s) of Development as needed. You will identify and cultivate relationships with individual donors, non-profit foundations, and corporate partners.

-Communications & Outreach: Lead the Engagement team in the creation of persuasive donor content, including case statements, proposals, and stewardship reports. You will oversee donor and engagement events-such as investor circles and scientific talks-and train faculty and staff how to engage effectively with philanthropic partners.

-Team Supervision: Supervise the CHM Communications and Marketing Director and CHM Development staff. This includes management and professional development as well as, ensuring a unified message across all outreach efforts.

The Director of Philanthropic Engagement translates CHM's science and programs into tangible philanthropic opportunities. Your leadership ensures the center has the resources to do work that matters.

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

• Directs strategic planning pertaining to growth initiatives and establishes unit objectives in alignment with the strategic plan

• Serves as a key unit authority to identify cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and existing members and donors to support growth in line with the unit vision and values

• Leads the development and execution of cross-unit communications strategies and promotional campaigns and materials to align with institutional initiatives

• Serves as a lead fundraiser in the absence of a Director

• Supervises the day-to-day activities of unit managerial staff and identifies staff performance goals

College of Letters & Science, Center for Healthy Minds

• Minimum 5 years of experience in fundraising, development, or advancement with progressively increasing responsibility. A well-qualified candidate will have 8+ years of experience.
• Experience overseeing communications strategy as part of philanthropic efforts, including aligning messaging, brand, donor engagement and fundraising priorities
• Demonstrated ability to design, lead and execute a comprehensive philanthropy strategy across giving levels, including pipeline development, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship and long-range planning.
• Proven track record of achieving measurable fundraising results, expanding donor engagement, and growing philanthropic revenue.

• Proven ability to translate complex, research-based or mission-driven work into compelling funding opportunities, donor materials, presentations and campaigns.
• Experience using data, metrics and performance tracking to inform philanthropic and strategic communications strategy and improve effectiveness.
• Demonstrated success building collaborative relationships across institutional stakeholders, including leadership, program teams, foundations, corporate partners and external constituents.
• Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to build teams, develop talent, manage multiple priorities, and drive organizational objectives.
• Exceptional writing and presentation skills, including experience developing persuasive donor proposals, case statements, stewardship materials, and engagement events.

Bachelor's Degree in business, communications, marketing, nonprofit management, or related field required.

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To apply for this position, select either "I am a current employee" or "I am not a current employee" under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.

Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area. All listed application materials must be submitted for your application to be considered. Please submit only the materials specified; additional materials will not be reviewed.

To be considered for this recruitment, you must upload:

-Resume/Curriculum Vitae

-Cover Letter

The materials should address your experience relating to the qualifications referenced above. Specifically, applicants should describe why they are interested in this position and how their previous experience makes them qualified.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

The application deadline is 11:59pm on September 11, 2026.

Cynthia Chuku-Ahadzi, chukuahadzi@wisc.edu, 608-265-2943

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