About the University of Denver

The University of Denver (DU) is the oldest independent private university in the Rocky Mountain region, serving approximately 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students. DU is classified as an R1: Doctoral University, a designation recognizing the highest level of research activity among U.S. institutions.

At DU, we approach higher education with the confident optimism and pragmatic independence that define the Rocky Mountain West. It sets us apart. We’re preparing students to become the solutions in their own stories, empowering them to face uncertainty with confidence and uncommon sense.

We’re fiercely ambitious and forward-thinking, surpassing all expectations to redefine success and how to achieve it. As a top-tier private R-1 institution, we are dedicated to making the world a better place –contributing to our communities and making positive change in the world.

About DU Advancement

DU Advancement drives meaningful connections and partnerships to support DU’s mission of advancing the public good. By championing philanthropy, engaging alumni, and fostering collaborative initiatives, we empower innovation, inspire transformation, and showcase what DU can do to create positive change in the world.

This spirit is at the heart of The Denver Difference campaign. As DU’s most ambitious campaign yet, we are reimagining what the university experience can and should be. By preparing students for success in all aspects of life, DU is setting a new standard for higher education.

DU Advancement reflects the excellence and innovation of the university itself. Through alumni engagement, development, operations, and campaign leadership, we are fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy to support our bold vision for the future.

About the Sturm College of Law

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law, led by Dean Bruce Smith, is one of the nation’s leading law schools for experiential learning, public service, and innovative legal education. Located in the heart of Denver’s legal and business community, the law school is nationally recognized for its top-ranked clinical program, which provides students with direct client advocacy experience in areas such as civil litigation, environmental law, immigration, community economic development, and veterans services.

Sturm Law graduates are deeply connected to the region’s legal and civic infrastructure. With a strong alumni network of more than 17,000 professionals—and a majority of graduates choosing to remain in Colorado—the law school plays a vital role in strengthening the state’s legal system, business community, and public sector leadership. Grounded in its mission to advance the public good through scholarship, teaching, and engagement, the Sturm College of Law is committed to preparing students to practice with competence, integrity, and a strong sense of professional responsibility, while contributing meaningfully to the legal profession and the communities they serve.

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts, for the Sturm College of Law is a frontline fundraising professional responsible for building and managing a robust portfolio of donors and prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $50,000 or more. With a strong emphasis on donor qualification and pipeline development, this role will focus on engaging prospects rated between $50,000 and $250,000, as well as individuals with planned giving potential, particularly within the Denver metropolitan area. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Development and Alumni Engagement for the law school, the Associate Director will proactively identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni, donors, and friends to advance the Sturm College of Law’s philanthropic priorities.

As a key member of a high-performing advancement team of five fundraising and alumni engagement professionals, this position operates within a culture that values values boldness, inclusion, creativity, excellence while maintaining a commitment to the well-being of our team and community. The Associate Director will work closely with faculty and central advancement partners to develop tailored strategies and compelling cases for support that inspire philanthropic investment in scholarships, programs, and faculty.

Success in this role will be defined by the ability to qualify new major gift prospects, conduct a high volume of meaningful donor visits, solicit donors at the major gift level, and raise significant philanthropic support while contributing positively to a team culture.

Essential Functions

Pipeline Building: Activities focused on identifying, qualifying, and cultivating prospects to grow the donor base.

• Build and manage a portfolio of 100-200 prospects rated at the major gift level.
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects in support of major gifts.
• Utilize multichannel engagement (email, phone, events, visits) to deepen relationships.

Fundraising: Direct solicitation and campaign-related activities.

• Solicit gifts of $50,000+, including multi-year commitments.
• Achieve an annual individual fundraising goal of approximately $500,000 - $1,000,000+.
• Develop and execute fundraising strategies aligned with institutional and unit priorities.
• Support campaign initiatives and leverage Sturm College of Law and campus campaign priorities to secure philanthropic support.

Programmatic Responsibilities: Engagement, stewardship, and donor experience activities.

• Partner with central alumni engagement and donor relations teams to support engagement and stewardship of major gift rated constituents.
• Develop compelling proposals and communications tailored to donor interests.

Operational Excellence: Project management, reporting, and internal coordination.

• Ensure accurate and timely entry of contact reports and donor data in the CRM.
• Track and report on key performance indicators such as qualifications, visits, solicitations, and dollars raised.
• Manage complex projects and initiatives in compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Travel and manage regional outreach, serving as market expert and partnering with colleagues, when appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Fundraising Principles & Practices: Demonstrates proficiency in annual and leadership annual giving strategies. Basic understanding of major gift strategies.
• Relationship Building: Demonstrated ability to cultivate and solicit gifts of $10,000+
• Communications: Writes donor correspondence and crafts compelling cases for support
• Strategic Thinking: Manages change in donor and team dynamics. Applies sound judgment when making decisions and considering the impact on donors, colleagues, and institutional priorities.
• Portfolio Management: Works closely with supervisor to build and manage an individual portfolio to meet personal goals
• Higher Education Landscape: Understands institutional mission and programs
• Campaign Experience: Coordinates multi-channel fundraising efforts, and/or coordinates concurrent efforts
• Data Analysis: Interprets data to prioritize prospects
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Works effectively with internal and external constituents. Collaborates effectively with other Advancement teams
• Leadership: Acts as a team and Advancement ambassador

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience (Veterans with equivalent combination of military certification/education and experience may substitute for this qualification).
• 5 years of professional experience including at least 3 years of donor, constituent relations, and relationship-based sales experience.
• Demonstrated experience closing gifts or sales through direct cultivation of individual prospects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Fundraising experience in higher education or similarly complex non-profit environment
• Professional experience in, or exposure to, the legal community

Working Environment

• Standard open office environment.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.
• Eligible for hybrid work.
• Travel responsibilities to meet with donors.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends.

Physical Activities

• Ability to use a computer for an extended period
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs. with assistance

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Some nights and weekends as required.

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) December 12, 2025.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number

The salary grade for the position is 12.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.