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Director Of Development Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

City of Richardson Texas

WI · On-site

$95 - $130/hr

Assistant Director of Development Services - Planning (Full Time) Under general direction of the Director of Development Services, function as assistant department head. Plan, budget, supervise and ...

Marquette University Clg-Nurse

WI · On-site

$90 - $160/hr

If Limited Term (End Date of Assignment, Project, or Grant) Position Type Position Type Staff Job Family Job Family Advancement Position Overview The Director of Regional Development works in a ...

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Director Of Development information

See Wisconsin salary details

$40.9K

$93.3K

$156.5K

How much do director of development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of development in Wisconsin is $93,250.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,700.00 and $109,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of development do?

A Director of Development is responsible for overseeing an organization's fundraising and development strategies. They manage donor relationships, create fundraising campaigns, and coordinate with staff to achieve financial goals. This role often involves working with nonprofits or educational institutions to secure grants, cultivate major donors, and ensure the sustainability of funding. The Director of Development also analyzes fundraising data and trends to improve future efforts and typically reports to executive leadership.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Development, you need expertise in fundraising strategy, donor relations, and nonprofit management, often supported by a relevant degree and substantial experience in development roles. Familiarity with donor management systems (such as Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce), grant writing, and data analysis tools is typically required. Outstanding communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills help cultivate donor trust and inspire teams. These capabilities are crucial for meeting fundraising goals, sustaining organizational growth, and advancing the nonprofit’s mission.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of development when managing fundraising initiatives?

Directors of Development often face challenges such as balancing short-term fundraising goals with long-term relationship building, motivating and aligning diverse teams, and adapting strategies to shifting donor priorities. They must also ensure effective communication across departments and with external stakeholders. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong leadership, data-driven decision making, and the ability to inspire both staff and donors toward the organization's mission.

What is the difference between Director Of Development vs Development Manager?

AspectDirector Of DevelopmentDevelopment Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees overall development strategy, manages teams, and aligns projects with organizational goals.Manages specific development projects, coordinates teams, and ensures project delivery.
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, often advanced degrees, and experience in leadership roles.Bachelor's degree in relevant field, experience in project management or development.
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, strategic planning, often in office settings.Operational, project-focused, collaborative team environment.

The main difference is that the Director Of Development focuses on strategic oversight and leadership, while the Development Manager handles day-to-day project management. Both roles require relevant experience and collaboration, but the director has a broader scope and higher-level responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Of Development jobs in Wisconsin?

The most popular types of Of Development jobs in Wisconsin are:

What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Director Of Development jobs?

Cities in Wisconsin with the most Director Of Development job openings:

Director Of Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Development job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,250 per year, or $44.8 per hour.

Director of Development, Foundation Relations, College of Engineering

Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)

Madison, WI • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Overview

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA), the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is seeking a relationship-driven and strategic Director of Development, Foundation Relations to support the College of Engineering.This role is ideal for a collaborative fundraiser who enjoys connecting innovative academic and research priorities with philanthropic foundations that want to make a meaningful impact.

In this role, you will build, manage, and steward strategic relationships with philanthropic foundations to advance the academic, research, and engagement priorities of the College of Engineering. You will work closely with college leadership, faculty, staff, and WFAA colleagues to identify funding opportunities, develop compelling proposals, and communicate the impact of foundation support. This position will be a combination of remote, in-office, and on-site work environments. 

Please note:  Current WFAA Directors of Development are eligible to transfer laterally, maintaining their current job title.

Essential Functions
  • Identifying and cultivating new relationships with foundations that support the programming and research goals of the College and its constituent departments and schools;
  • Coordinating, managing and advancing existing relationships with external foundation funding partners;
  • Developing strong collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders and leveraging those relationships to result in successful funding opportunities;
  • Working with the dean, associate deans, department chairs, faculty, and staff to identify, develop, and submit funding proposals;
  • Facilitating stewardship of awarded funds, including required reporting by funding partners and communicating research and programming impact to internal and external stakeholders;
  • Creating and presenting concise, readily understood presentations of complex materials;
  • Maintaining knowledge of current best practices and trends in foundation-based philanthropy;
  • Successfully articulating department and College research and programming priorities to internal and external stakeholders;
  • Understanding and accessing resources within WFAA to support the fund development process.
Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional work experience
  • Experience working in a university setting and an understanding of research/programs engineering fields
  • 3 + years of experience in fundraising from philanthropic foundations 
  • Advanced oral and written communication skills, including grant writing skills.
  • Ability to create and deliver concise informational presentations is required.
  • Ability to meet travel requirements (25%)

Other Qualifications:

  • Intellectual curiosity paired with an advanced ability to think creatively and independently about concepts requiring advanced analytical skills.
  • Advanced interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups to achieve results.
  • Must be self-motivated, take initiative, and lead work independently.

At WFAA, we are dedicated to creating an inspiring, creative, and respectful work environment for our employees. We offer competitive pay and an outstanding benefits program, including a generous 10% 401k contribution after just one year of service! Join us and be part of a team that values your growth and well-being. Click here to learn more about our employee benefits! 

*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. 

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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