Program Manager, Chapters and Regional Relations

Overview

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for UW-Madison, is recruiting for a Program Manager, Chapters and Regional Relations  to join our Alumni Relations and Engagement Team!  The Program Manager will cultivate and sustain positive relationships with volunteers who represent WFAA and UW-Madison in leading alumni chapters and communities. Lead and manage processes, resources, training and communications which provide infrastructure to enable a thriving alumni volunteer program. Establish best practices for volunteer and constituent engagement and ensure program alignment with organizational and university priorities.This is a hybrid role that will require you to work in our Madison, WI office location at least two days weekly.

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.  

Essential Functions

Program Leadership

• Lead and manage processes, resources and overall infrastructure which enable a sustainable alumni volunteer network program.
• Lead the planning, development and implementation of volunteer training and communications.
• In collaboration with colleagues in other functional areas, create annual plans for engaging alumni and donors through high-quality, meaningful activities that advance the university and organizational objectives.
• Lead and manage portfolio programs and activities. Oversee documentation and implementation according to the expected organizational planning process.
• Identify, recruit, and manage the relationship with faculty and staff speakers and other program content providers.
• Communicate regularly with appropriate stakeholders on the program.
• Apply metrics to strategic engagement planning to maximize return on investment.
• Manage and oversee program evaluation and data collection.

Constituent Relations

• Manage a portfolio of alumni chapters and individual volunteers, cultivating relationships, deepening engagement, and identifying individuals for movement within the engagement pipeline.
• Develop customized communication and volunteer engagement plans based on the needs of the alumni group/community.
• Provide exceptional customer service to internal and external constituents.
• Respond promptly and courteously to inquiries from internal and external constituents, taking the initiative to seek information and resolution.
• Communicate frequently and proactively with internal and external constituents and stakeholders.
• Intentionally solicit feedback and participation from alumni in the design and development of programs, resources, training, and communications.
• Strengthen relationships with alumni and donors by participating organization- and chapter-sponsored activities.
• Inform leadership of issues and opportunities along with solutions.

Administration

• Successfully manage programs and project plans, consistently meeting deadlines and using available resources to address challenges.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and effectively utilize organizational administrative polices, processes and technology tools.
• Manage documentation of program concept, design and development.
• Initiate and oversee reporting on engagement outcomes.
• Actively engage in process improvement and implement changes to make improvements when appropriate

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree or equivalent experience.
• 3 years’ full-time professional work in outreach programming, education, volunteer management, or similar.

Other Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education advancement and working with volunteers and donors is preferred.
• Demonstrated abilities in volunteer management and program development.
• High degree of proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook) essential.
• Experience using constituent databases and presentation software.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and lead inclusive program teams with participants from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent oral and written skills; at ease when speaking and presenting ideas in a group setting. Willingness to share knowledge and initiate knowledge transfer.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, demonstrated engagement in projects and meet deadlines.
• Deliver and receive feedback objectively for the good of the team and the project.

WFAA is committed to provide our employees with an environment that is inspiring, creative and respectful. We offer a competitive salary 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 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.