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About us…
Wisconsin Public Television/PBS is a network of six stations with over 50 years of leadership and innovation in public broadcasting programming, outreach and technology. We are proud of our creative environment and our reputation for broadcast excellence. Our award-winning Development Department is a national leader in public media fund-raising. WPT is headquartered on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, rated as one of the most livable cities in the U.S.

The Opportunity
Building on the growth of our major and planned giving programs, this is a new position which will grow an established program with nearly 300 Heritage Society members across Wisconsin. Our new Planned Giving Manager will have the advantage of taking over an existing planned giving Society built through many years of promotion but also have the opportunity of being the first dedicated staff person to shape a fully realized Planned Giving program. WPT has one of the most loyal donor bases in public television with over 55,000 active donors including more than 20,000 donors who have contributed annually for 15 years or more and an active base of several hundred volunteers who have been actively involved for 15 years or more. In addition, this position will actively assist in major gift fundraising for dynamic projects such as our Wisconsin Hometown history series, Wisconsin cultural productions and education, literacy and public television outreach projects.

Responsibilities
The Planned Giving Manager’s primary responsibility is to promote life gifts to Wisconsin Public Television through the personal solicitation and promotion of bequests and other charitable giving vehicles. S/he will prepare and implement strategic plans for WPT’s Planned Giving program. The new Planned Giving Manager will assist in cultivation, stewardship and solicitation of major gifts in close cooperation with the Major Gifts Manager with a strong focus on personal visits to major and planned giving donors throughout Wisconsin. This individual is responsible for accurate and timely maintenance of donor records and meeting established income goals.

Qualifications
In addition to a bachelor’s degree, the well-qualified candidate will bring three to five years of
successful fund raising or related experience that includes successful direct solicitation, written and oral presentations, and strategy and market development. Outstanding human relations and communication skills and strong customer/client service and a sales orientation are essential. Your ability to plan, budget and coordinate a successful fundraising program will be fully utilized. This job requires regular overnight travel within state and region and requires a personal means of transportation.

Compensation
The range for this position is $53,000 to 63,500. Actual pay will be dependent upon qualifications and experience. The University of Wisconsin-Extension also offers a comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package.

Want to learn more? Please see the detailed position description.

Detailed Position Description

Planned Giving Manager
Development Program Manager I or II PVL #9014

Based in Madison, Wisconsin
Immediate/ Open until filled

POSITION SUMMARY
This position’s duties are split 80% planned giving and 20% major gift fundraising. The primary responsibility is to promote life gifts to Wisconsin Public Television through the personal solicitation and promotion of bequests and other charitable giving vehicles. This individual directs and coordinates efforts of volunteers, board members and station personnel to cultivate and secure planned gifts and may supervise other staff as directed. S/he is station liaison to WPT’s Heritage Society members and is responsible for stewardship of 260 current members, through personal visits throughout Wisconsin, phone contacts, regular mailings and an annual appreciation event.

This person also works to cultivate, steward and solicit major gifts in close coordination with the Manager of Major Gifts and the Director of Development. Specific targets and goals are established for this position annually. An immediate, temporary responsibility will be participation in our Capital Campaign. This position reports to the Director of Development and works closely with Wisconsin Public Television Managers. Key relationships include the Director of Television, Major Gifts Manager, Membership Manager and the Grants Administrator.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Prepare and implement strategic plans for Planned Giving program including donor visits for cultivation, stewardship and solicitation of planned gifts. Interact in a positive and sensitive manner on the phone and in person with donors, prospects, and financial planners. Work thoughtfully with donors to explore giving opportunities that benefit donor and WPT. Travel throughout state is required, including some over-night stays. Donor visits are expected to be 40% or more of this job.
2. Secure income, especially for Endowment, by obtaining outright gifts and bequests from donors’ wills or living trusts, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts and other instruments.
3. Work closely with Membership Manager and Major Gift Manager to develop and implement planned giving marketing plan, including on-airprint promotion and prospect mailings. Respond with appropriate materials and timely personal follow up to inquiries.
4. Develop and continually refine materials for planned giving program including print pieces, donor recognition and benefits. Participate in production of regular major giving newsletters and communications.
5. Work closely with, train and support leadership volunteers including board members, station managers, and staff on identification, solicitation and cultivation of significant donors.
6. Develop annual and long range plans; budget and develop trend reports for planned giving program.
7. Knowledgeable about Wisconsin Public Television and able to represent its programs, policies, plans and vision for future service. Must be prepared to discuss the station effectively and enthusiastically with donors, prospects, financial planners and groups.
8. Participate in Capital Campaign fund raising team. This capital campaign team duty is temporary and anticipated to last up to two years.
9. Responsible for accurate and timely maintenance of donor records. Maintain related research, record keeping and reports in paper and computer files.
10. Become knowledgeable on the principal aspects of planned giving activities, including financial instruments and remain abreast of major giving and planned giving developments and tax-law changes. Recruit appropriate advisors to assist as needed. Attend seminars, workshops and other appropriate training to enhance expertise.
11. Assist in cultivation, stewardship and solicitation of major gifts in close cooperation with the Manager of Major gifts with a focus on personal visits to major donors throughout Wisconsin. Assist in planning and implementation of donor events.
12. Establish and maintain relationship with legal and financial professionals to promote awareness of WPT as a worthy candidate for planned gifts.
13. Work with Friends board members to engage them in the broader goals of Wisconsin Public Television.
14. With Manager of Major Gifts to supervise the work and performance of part-time executive assistant.
15. Work cooperatively with all development department units. Provide assistance, as assigned by the Director of Development, for station events including Auction, pledge drives and other community event activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Energy, enthusiasm and drive to engage donors in the future of Wisconsin Public Television
Compelling, persuasive communication skills for personal solicitation of bequests and major gifts
Strong personal interaction skills especially ability to initiate and build relationships with donors
Organized and thorough with a memory for and attention to detail
Plan, budget and coordinate a fundraising program
Use of computer and relevant software for research, correspondence, presentations, and data management

QUALIFICATIONS
• Position requires a bachelor’s degree.
• Three to five years successful fund raising or related experience or equivalency required. Experience must include successful direct personal solicitation, written and oral presentations, strategy and market development.
• Must demonstrate human relationscommunication skills; strong customer/client service; sales orientation.
• Poise and sensitivity in personal interactions with donors and prospects.
• Ability to plan, budget and coordinate a fundraising program.
• Facility for learning planned giving options and communicating with potential donors.
• Computer skills including familiarity and comfort using database management software.
• Requires regular over night travel within state and region and requires a personal means of transportation.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Three years of successful direct solicitation experience in non-profit fundraising strongly preferred.
Preferred experience includes coordination of volunteer leadership fundraising.
Experience and ease in working with diverse multicultural individuals and groups.
Knowledge of planned giving options

SALARY: The range for this position is $53,500 to 63,000. Actual pay will be dependent upon qualifications and experience. UW-Extension offers a comprehensive benefits package.

HOW TO APPLY: Applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled. Please include:
1. A completed UW-Extension application form,
applicant survey, and confidentiality notice.
2. A detailed resume.
3. A narrative of two to five pages detailing HOW your experience relates to this position. Please carefully detail your experience as it compares to the job duties and qualifications for this position.
4. Contact information including e-mail address for five references whom we may call.
5. Recruitment source where you learned about this position. To fulfill our FCC license requirement.

Successful candidate will be required to provide documentation of credentials. Prior to appointment to this position, a criminal records review will be conducted. UWEX complies with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act with regard to nondiscrimination on the basis of arrest and/or conviction record.

DIRECT INQUIRIES AND APPLICATIONS TO:
Betsy Nelson
Wisconsin Public Television
821 University Ave. Rm 7106
Madison, Wisconsin 53706
Or call 608-262-5221; betsy.nelson@wpt.org

This document can be made available in alternative formats by calling the person listed above.

Under Wisconsin Statutes, if asked, UW-Extension is required to provide a list of all nominees and applicants who have not requested, in writing, that their identities remain confidential. The identities of all finalists must be released upon request.

An offer of employment is contingent upon establishment of identity and verification of employment eligibility as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

An EEO/Affirmative Action employer, the University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA requirements. Persons of color, women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.