Development Director Jobs in Wisconsin

Development Director jobs in Wisconsin draw steady demand from the state's robust nonprofit sector, higher education institutions, and healthcare systems, with openings at every level from associate director to chief development officer. Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay anchor the market, where employers such as the University of Wisconsin System, Froedtert Health, and United Way of Greater Milwaukee consistently hire development professionals. The most in-demand specialties are major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and annual giving campaign leadership. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles46
Top employerMarquette University
Top cityMilwaukee, WI
Cities hiring22
Work type52% Hybrid
Top industryEducation

Showing 4 of 46+ Development Director jobs

Associate Director of Assessment Development
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Added 3d ago
Associate Director of Assessment Development
NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF BAR EXAMINERS
Madison, Wisconsin
Content & Communications
Creative & Design
Marketing
$127k - $158k/yr
Remote (US)
51-200

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Director- Account Development
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Added 3d ago
Director- Account Development
Paper Transport
De Pere, Wisconsin
Business Development
Program Management
Project Management
Associate's degree
1,001-5,000

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Regional Economic Development Director
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Added 3d ago
Regional Economic Development Director
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
Madison, Wisconsin
Business Strategy
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in urban planning

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Director of Business Development (Commercial & Military Avionics)
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Added 6d ago
Director of Business Development (Commercial & Military Avionics)
Astronautics Corporation of America
Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Hybrid
Master's degree in business
201-500

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See All 46 Development Director Jobs in Wisconsin

Find roles in Wisconsin that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Development Director Jobs by City in Wisconsin

Where Wisconsin roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Milwaukee
13 jobs
Madison
8 jobs
Hudson
2 jobs
Appleton
2 jobs
Waukesha
2 jobs
Green Bay
2 jobs
Fond du Lac
2 jobs
Mequon
1 job
Neenah
1 job

Development Director Job Market in Wisconsin

A snapshot from current Wisconsin openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Marquette University3 open roles
Spano Pratt2 open roles
Johnson Controls2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Automotive
  • Technology & Software
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals

What Wisconsin Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in development director jobs across Wisconsin.

  • Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or a closely related field
  • Demonstrated success managing fundraising campaigns and meeting annual revenue goals
  • Experience with donor database systems such as Raiser's Edge or Salesforce Nonprofit
  • Proven ability to cultivate and steward major gift donors and corporate sponsors
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for grant writing and board presentations
  • Familiarity with Wisconsin's philanthropic community, foundations, and corporate giving landscape

Development Director Jobs in Wisconsin: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a development director in Wisconsin?

Most development directors in Wisconsin follow a path that begins with a bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, public administration, or a related field, often supplemented by the Certified Fund Raising Executive credential offered through CFRE International. Wisconsin employers place strong weight on progressive fundraising experience, typically gained through roles as a development coordinator or major gifts officer at a Wisconsin nonprofit, university, or hospital foundation before moving into a director-level position.

Which companies hire development directors in Wisconsin?

Companies currently hiring development directors in Wisconsin include Marquette University, Spano Pratt, and Johnson Controls, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Wisconsin's large nonprofit sector, anchored by hospital foundations, university advancement offices, and social service agencies, means hiring is spread across Milwaukee, Madison, and mid-size cities like Appleton and Racine.

Which Wisconsin cities have the most development director jobs?

Milwaukee, Madison, and Hudson have the most development director openings in Wisconsin. Milwaukee leads because of its concentration of major hospital systems, arts organizations, and social service nonprofits, while Madison's market is driven by the University of Wisconsin System and a dense cluster of advocacy and policy organizations, and Green Bay's openings reflect its growing healthcare and community foundation sector.

Are there remote development director jobs in Wisconsin?

Yes, but they're less common than in purely analytical fields, since development directors spend meaningful time meeting donors, attending events, and building in-person relationships. About 76% of development director openings tied to Wisconsin are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote flexibility more likely for grant writing, prospect research, and communications-focused roles than for major gifts or community engagement positions.

How can I get hired as a development director in Wisconsin with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry point is a development coordinator or annual fund associate role at a Wisconsin university advancement office, hospital foundation, or United Way chapter, where you build donor management and campaign skills directly. Large employers like the University of Wisconsin System and Advocate Aurora Health regularly hire entry-level development staff. Earning the CFRE credential or completing a graduate certificate in nonprofit management at institutions like Marquette University strengthens candidacy significantly for candidates without a long fundraising history.

Where can I find and apply to development director jobs in Wisconsin?

You can find and apply to development director jobs in Wisconsin on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the state. Search the listings, find the roles that fit your background and goals, and apply directly to the ones that match your experience.

See All 46 Development Director Jobs in Wisconsin

Find roles in Wisconsin that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Development Director Jobs