Assistant Dean for Strategic Communications and Advancement

College of Letters & Science UW-Madison

L&S Mission In the College of Letters & Science, we provide a liberal arts education that is both broad and deep through excellent, empathic teaching. We hire faculty who are interested in pursuing difficult questions, making new discoveries, and making an impact in their field. We reward excellent teaching and classroom innovation, and we are committed to shared governance.

We nurture and support groundbreaking research across the spectrum of disciplines, encouraging faculty and graduate students to push boundaries and devise new pathways to knowledge.Our goal is to create a learning environment that is stimulating, joyful, and productive.

L&S offers multiple opportunities for students to expand their horizons through travel, small learning communities, and undergraduate research. Faculty and administrators in the College of Letters & Science are committed to helping students:

  • Develop the intellectual courage to seek answers and pose new questions.
  • Seek underlying connections across people, cultures, methods and ideas to better understand our world.
  • Hone critical thinking skills to solve problems.
  • Tap into and nurture their own creativity, and value that wellspring in others, in order to find solutions to complex problems, navigate a rapidly changing world, and appreciate the richness of life.
  • Share their ideas in clear, coherent language and use cutting-edge digital platforms.

In L&S, we are proud of the intellectual virtues that are hallmarks of our L&S faculty and students. These include: honesty, fair-mindedness, humility, and perseverance.

But we elevate one worthy ideal above all others: the ability and desire to learn over one’s lifetime. College is a remarkable period of learning and self-discovery. Giving our L&S students the love of learning and the foundation upon which to build will ensure a lifetime of intellectual joy and success.

http://ls.wisc.edu/


Position Details

Assistant Dean for Strategic Communications and Advancement
Job
Full-time
3/13/2018
Southwest Wisconsin
Madison, WI

The Assistant Dean for Strategic Communications and Advancement serves as a member of the College's leadership team working closely with the Dean of the College of Letters & Science. This colleague will be responsible for communicating College-wide priorities, policies, and achievements to many groups, including L&S departments and programs, alumni, donors, Corporate Relations, University Relations, and partners within the University of Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA).

In partnership with the L&S Dean and in consultation with the WFAA Associate Vice President and Managing Director for L&S and with University Relations, develops an integrated communications and advancement strategy for the College in support of college-wide objectives, leveraging or modifying existing platforms or developing new platforms as appropriate. Responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient implementation of the integrated communication and advancement plan on behalf of the College, including the establishment and measurement of clear benchmarks and goals.

25% Development: Major Gifts.Support the Dean in his role as a key fundraiser and, in collaboration with colleagues at the WFAA. Work closely with the L&S Board of Visitors, leadership volunteers, and department chairs and faculty, using their time and talents efficiently and appropriately to increase engagement and philanthropic support. Serve as the College's partner with WFAA and Campus leaders on philanthropic, stewardship and engagement matters.

20% Development: Work with WFAA and L&S Departments/Centers.Lead and manage the College's partnership with the WFAA. In partnership with WFAA Associate Vice President and Managing Director for L&S, sets annual fundraising priorities and create strategies to deploy resources in support of fundraising goals. Partner with WFAA to articulate L&S funding priorities and fund usage policies, assisting in developing gift proposals and case statement. Manage Annual Fund Campaigns for the College as well as for specific departments/programs within the College. Oversee stewardship at the college and department level. Serve as a resource for questions and help to reinforce stewardship guidelines, fund management guidelines and best practices. Set advancement priorities, create consistent guidance on development/advancement/College policies. Partner with the WFAA Associate Vice President and Managing Director for L&S and the WFAA development team on an advancement training program for L&S department chairs. Reinforce best practices with chairs and department Boards of Visitors. Convey major developments in the College, to WFAA colleagues and serves as a conduit for concerns and issues arising at the WFAA.

20% External Communications and Alumni Engagement.Ensure marketing and communication efforts related to students, staff, faculty, alumni, Board of Visitors, WFAA, and donor communities are in alignment with L&S priorities. Coordinate closely all print and electronic media, events, and other avenues of communication with the WFAA and other campus alumni organizations and ensures all activities are in alignment with the integrated communication and advancement plan. Responsible for ensuring effective tailored communications, including gift proposals, to external constituents of key strategic importance to the college in alignment with the integrated communication and advancement plan. Grow and strengthen the alumni network and its impact on the college, and establishe and maintain beneficial working relationships with donors and with the friends and alumni who serve on the College's Board of Visitors and related committees.

20% Internal Communications and Information Sharing.Develop and ensure the effective and efficient implementation of a communication strategy designed to promote effective information sharing between L&S Administration and its departments and centers regarding policies, procedures and best practices. Coordinate efforts to expand access to better communications/outreach/marketing practices across L&S departments. Ensure coordination of information sharing between departments, the college, and University Relations, including the development and implementation of crisis communication strategies.

15% Management and Supervision.Supervise and support the L&S Office of Strategic Communications and Advancement in meeting team and individual goals. Provide the structure and guidance necessary to promote a high-performance culture. Delegate as appropriate key functions to team members, setting clear expectations and empowering staff to achieve excellence. Responsible for hiring, training, recruiting and retaining staff, as well as implementing all aspects of the College's Performance Management and Development Program. 

  • A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
  • A minimum of seven years of professional leadership experience in strategic communications and advancement, including the development and implementation of integrated communication and advancement strategies in support of organizational objectives is required. A minimum of ten years strongly preferred.
  • Experience with fundraising and development strategies, including experience in raising gift funds through annual campaigns and by working one-on-one with individuals and/or businesses.
  • Experience with marketing and communication strategies, including experience in developing content for a broad range of audiences.
  • Excellent supervisory and management skills, with a demonstrated ability to build, manage, mentor, and motivate an effective team.
  • Ability to navigate a complex academic community, including the ability to build bridges and strong collaborative relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to champion the liberal arts and ensure the vision of the College of Letters & Science is articulated through multiple platforms to diverse audiences, including students, alumni, high net worth individuals, and the general public.
  • Ability to manage resource effectively, included a demonstrated ability to develop and manage operating budgets.
  • Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills.


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