About the University of Denver
The University of Denver (DU), a private university, is the oldest independent university in the Rocky Mountain region, with approximately 12,900 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. DU is classified as an R1: Doctoral University – very high research activity as a Doctoral/Research University. Financial Times Higher Education, U.S. News, and The Princeton Review have consistently ranked DU among the nation’s top 100 universities and among the top three universities in the state of Colorado.
The University of Denver embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that define our region and our history. With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21st-century education, and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, we open a world of opportunity to students and empower Pioneers to make a difference around the world.
About DU Advancement
The Denver Difference campaign is our most ambitious yet. It marks a dramatic shift in conventional thinking about what the university experience can and should be. DU is setting the bar with our approach to higher education, developing and preparing students to be successful in life in every way. The University of Denver is building an advancement enterprise that mirrors the excellence and innovation of our great institution. Inclusive of alumni relations, development, and student and alumni career services, DU Advancement is building and fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy in support of our bold vision.
The University of Denver and DU Advancement deeply value inclusive excellence, recognizing that its success depends on how well it values, engages, and includes the rich diversity of constituents. As a part of that effort, we are continuing to grow a team of inclusive, collaborative, inquisitive, innovative, ethical, and transparent advancement professionals who possess deep mutual respect for one another and for our shared profession.
About Regional Development
The Regional Development team is one of four central teams within Development at DU. Led by the Senior Director of Development, who in addition to leading the team, manages a portfolio along the west coast of the United States, the team is comprised of a Director of Development – East Coast, an Associate Director of Development – Midwest, and an Associate Director of Development – Front Range. The team works collaboratively and transparently with our other central, academic, and athletic fundraising colleagues to create robust relationships with potential donors across the country.
Position Summary
With a focus on the East Coast region, where there is a high concentration of prospects, the Director of Development will be dedicated to helping DU grow and expand its philanthropic base of support from major gift prospects aligned with DU’s top priorities. This position will report directly to the Senior Director of Development, Regional and will be based in Denver.
As part of a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative team supporting DU’s top priorities in the region, the Director of Development will serve in a highly outbound capacity. They will have a heavy focus (90%) on qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of major gift prospects through initial solicitations of gifts in the $1,000-$50,000 (leadership annual giving range) annually, to confirm their philanthropic interest in DU. The ultimate goal is to grow the university’s major gift pipeline through a donor-centered approach. The key performance indicators for this position will be strategic qualifications, visits, solicitations, dollars raised, execution of major gift prospect strategies and solicitations. While the focus of this role is working with individual prospects and donors, the Director of Development will also work in partnership with the Director of Regional Engagement and the Campaigns team to support (10%) campaign programming and volunteer management.
Successful candidates will be highly collaborative, motivated, and skilled at building relationships. In addition, they will be deeply involved in the growth and expansion of DU’s donor base across the university. The University of Denver is unique in its academic portfolio, which boasts both strong undergraduate programs and experiences, as well as highly respected graduate and professional programs. Alumni identify with DU as well as with specific academic units, and the Director of Development must be creative in their strategic approach with prospects to emphasize the intersection of those identities. This position will partner closely with colleagues working within the specific schools, colleges, and units to align strategies for regional constituents.
Essential Functions
Grow and expand the base of philanthropy:
- Plan, design, implement, and evaluate strategies to successfully identify and qualify major gift prospects.
- Utilize leadership annual gift solicitations to determine major gift willingness and capacity, by cultivating and soliciting prospects for gifts between $1,000 - $50,000 (typically annually). Solicitations may be multichannel, as well as multi-year pledges.
- Build and manage a portfolio of prospects who have the capacity and affinity to contribute to DU at the major gift level during the course of the campaign and beyond.
- This position represents the breadth of DU and will focus on building partnerships along the east coast of the United States of America.
- Metrics may include number of visits, major gift and leadership annual gift solicitations, qualifications, and dollars raised. Once the portfolio is mature, the Regional Director will be expected to raise $1,000,000+ from combined Leadership Annual Gifts and Major Gifts annually.
Campaign Success:
- Support campaign communication strategies in assigned region.
- Provide support for campus leadership, as well as campaign volunteer leaders within assigned region related to campaign efforts and objectives.
- Be knowledgeable of and leverage campaign priorities to secure gifts in support of campaign goals.
University Citizenship:
- Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all central and unit-based advancement functions and campus colleagues to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative fundraising practices.
- Contribute to team success and model “One DU” leadership.
- Engage in Advancement goal-setting processes for fundraising, engagement, and stewardship.
- Effectively and responsibly steward budgetary and other resources to advance the University of Denver.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to identify, qualify, solicit, and steward gifts from individual donors.
- Demonstrated ability to form and fully leverage cross-functional teams of colleagues, volunteers, and academic/University leaders toward closure of transformational gifts.
- Ability to represent the University of Denver, and its major initiatives and units, in a variety of capacities.
- Proven ability to work with a high level of independence, maintain confidentiality, prioritize assignments, and manage time effectively.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills to foster and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, donors, volunteers, and University leadership.
- Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups having competing interests and priorities within the University and community.
- Fluency in data management and analysis.
- Must be able to work independently, as well as a part of a team.
- Must have strong communication skills, including the ability to speak and write effectively and persuasively, draft compelling proposals and letters.
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 paid fundraising experience, working within the full spectrum of development, including cultivation, gift solicitations, stewardship, and donor recognition.
- Experience and demonstrated success in raising multi-channel and complex gifts in the range of $1,000-$50,000+.
- Ability and willingness to travel extensively to assigned region.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a university setting or similarly complex non-profit environment.
- Experience managing a major gifts portfolio.
- Experience working with multiple internal partners to close complex gifts.
Working Environment
- Standard open office environment
- Noise level is quiet to moderate
- Some nights and weekend event attendance
- Significant travel responsibilities to assigned region
- Eligible for hybrid work
Physical Activities
- Ability to sit in front of 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. Significant travel responsibilities to assigned region. Eligible for hybrid work.
Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) October 18, 2024.
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 13.
Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $95,000 - $110,000.
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.