Director, Badger Founders Network

Serve as WFAA’s primary liaison with the Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub to align strategies, priorities and engagement initiatives that support founders and the broader entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Build strong partnerships across campus units and programs to identify founders, leverage existing expertise, and create meaningful engagement opportunities.

Coordinate and communicate regularly with WFAA and campus colleagues regarding network activities, engagement strategies, founder identification efforts, and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Serve as a strategic thought partner in the development, implementation and evaluation of initiatives that advance entrepreneurship and founder engagement at UW-Madison. UW’s entrepreneurship.

Collaborate with campus partners on efforts to engage, steward and recognize founders and entrepreneurship stakeholders in ways that support institutional priorities and long-term relationship building.

Administration

Demonstrate proficiency and effectively use organizational systems, processes and technology tools, including AI, to perform daily work.

Leverage CRM database tools – including Salesforce, reporting platforms and engagement technologies – to support network management and decision making.

Manage program budgets, contracts and resources in alignment with organizational priorities while ensuring effective stewardship of organizational resources.

Participate actively in team, divisional and organizational meetings, planning activities, professional development and training programs.

Respond promptly and professionally to internal and external information inquiries and provide exceptional service to alumni, volunteers, campus partners and other stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.

7 + years of professional experience in business development, entrepreneurship, industry or community relations, higher education, alumni relations, constituent engagement, entrepreneurship programming, community development, advancement, marketing, or related.

Demonstrated success building and sustaining professional, affinity-based or entrepreneurial communities or networks.

Experience cultivating positive relationships with constituents and volunteers from a variety of backgrounds, interests, and experience levels.

Experience using Salesforce or similar CRM platforms to support relationship management, constituent engagement, segmentation, and reporting.

Ability to analyze constituent data and translate insights into actionable engagement strategies.

Ability to meet travel requirements (@25%) and work occasional evenings and weekends.

Other Qualifications:

Experience working within entrepreneurship ecosystems, startup communities, innovation organizations, venture capital environments, accelerators, or incubators.

Experience leading alumni affinity groups, professional networks, membership organizations, or community-building initiatives across multiple geographic regions.

Experience with marketing automation platforms, engagement campaigns, and audience segmentation strategies.

Experience managing volunteer leadership programs.

Demonstrated ability to leverage data-informed insights for strategic planning.

Experience managing multiple projects in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.

Excellent analytical, written, and interpersonal communication skills

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.