Assistant or Associate Director of Stewardship and Engagement

Wisconsin Athletics is seeking an accomplished advancement professional to serve as the Assistant or Associate Director of Stewardship and Engagement. With general oversight from the Associate Athletics Director-Development and direct oversight from the Assistant Athletic Director-Development, this position plays a key leadership role in advancing donor engagement, recognition, and stewardship strategies that support the long-term success of Wisconsin Athletics.

The successful candidate will lead strategic initiatives to steward major gift donors, create innovative engagement opportunities, and deliver an exceptional donor experience. This role requires leadership, collaboration, and creativity to design impactful programs, manage high-profile events, and strengthen donor loyalty.

This position is posted at the levels of Assistant Director of Stewardship and Engagement and Associate Director of Stewardship and Engagement. The working title and level will be determined based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.
 

Key Areas of Focus include:

• Developing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive stewardship and engagement strategies for major gift donors.

• Serving as a strategic partner and ambassador for Wisconsin Athletics with Athletics staff, WFAA, The Varsity Collective, the W-Club, and external partners.

• Providing leadership for signature donor events (e.g., Forever Badgers Endowment Luncheon, capital project ceremonies, Badger Desert Classic, VIP receptions).

• Overseeing the Badger Leadership Society program and other high-level donor recognition initiatives.

• Managing premium game-day seating and experiences used for donor stewardship.

• Innovating and evolving stewardship programming to increase donor engagement and loyalty.

• Collaborating with the Major Gifts team on campaigns, fundraising initiatives, and donor communication strategies.

• Ensuring all donor ticketing and parking needs are coordinated with ticketing and premium seating staff.

• Overseeing stewardship reporting, donor communications, and confidential donor records.

• Supervising event-based stewardship efforts and supporting additional campaign-related programming.

• Promoting the importance of the student-athlete experience in all engagement initiatives.

• Working evenings, weekends, and traveling regionally/nationally as needed.