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.

At the University of Denver, we’re doing higher education our way: authentic to the Rocky Mountain Wests confident optimism and pragmatic independence. It sets us apart. We’re preparing young people to be 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. And we’re true to our mission as a top-tier private institution dedicated to making the world a better place – contributing to our communities and making positive change in 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 and development, 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 is dependent 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 respect for one another and for our shared profession.

About the Newman Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA)

The Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts is one of the premier performing arts centers in the Rocky Mountain West and a cultural cornerstone of the University of Denver and the broader region. Home to DU’s Lamont School of Music and Theatre program, the Newman Center also presents a world-class series of internationally recognized artists in dance, music, and spoken word, while serving as an essential gathering place for community engagement, arts education, and creative innovation.

With multiple state-of-the-art performance venues, the Newman Center welcomes more than 100,000 audience members annually and reaches thousands of K–12 students through its acclaimed Newman Center Presents education programs. Under the leadership of Executive Director Aisha Ahmad-Post, the Newman Center is expanding its artistic vision, deepening its role as a civic and educational resource, and increasing access to the arts for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

The Newman Center operates at the intersection of artistic excellence, student learning, and community impact—advancing the University’s mission to serve the public good through creative expression, cultural dialogue, and transformative experiences. This is an exciting time to join the Newman Center team as it builds philanthropic momentum to support innovative programming, artist residencies, and initiatives that ensure the performing arts remain accessible and vibrant for generations to come.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Development for the Newman Center for the Performing Arts is a frontline fundraising professional responsible for driving philanthropic revenue through leadership annual giving (LAG) while actively qualifying prospects for the major gifts (MG) pipeline. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development and Alumni Engagement and embedded within the Newman Center, this position manages a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $1,000–$49,999. The primary focus of the role is direct solicitation of LAG gifts and strategic identification and qualification of prospects with major gift capacity.

This position will also lead annual giving campaigns, donor recognition programs, and targeted stewardship efforts for the Newman Center with a focus on converting ticket buyers and subscribers to donors and retaining donors at the LAG level. In close collaboration with Newman Center leadership and DU Advancement partners, the Assistant Director will help communicate the Newman Center’s philanthropic priorities to donors and prospects.

Success will be measured by leadership annual gifts secured, prospects qualified for major gifts, donor engagement outcomes, and contributions to a collaborative and mission-centered culture.

Essential Functions

Direct Fundraising and Portfolio Management  

• Manage a portfolio of LAG prospects capable of making gifts of $1,000-$49,999.  
• Conduct outreach to assigned prospects using multichannel strategies (email, phone, personal visits, digital engagement, events) with a goal of soliciting annual and multi-year commitments.  
• Partner closely with the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development, Executive Director of the Newman Center, and other campus partners to identify philanthropic opportunities aligned with institutional goals.  
• Assist in identifying and qualifying prospects for major gifts and partner with Newman Center and Advancement leadership to cultivate and solicit qualified major gift prospects.  

Annual Giving and Stewardship  

• Manage Newman Center annual giving strategy and implementation through targeted direct mail and digital fundraising campaigns in partnership with DU’s central annual giving team.   
• Leverage annual giving program to acquire new donors including ticket buyers and subscribers and retain donors within unit LAG gift bands. 
• Oversee the strategy and execution of Newman Center Giving Circle courtesies and recognition including Rose Club events, VIP and special access events, and recognition in event programs.  
• Partner with donor relations and the Newman Center team to ensure proper acknowledgement of donors and develop donor stewardship reports for programs as well as individual donors.  

Operational Excellence 

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions and contact reports in the CRM system. 
• Manage projects and initiatives in alignment with university policies and advancement best practices. 

University Citizenship  

• Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all DU Advancement partners including central development, operations teams, and peer fundraisers.  
• Partner with campus and Newman Center colleagues to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative fundraising practices.  
• Contribute to team success and model “One DU” leadership. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Possess basic understanding of fundraising principles and donor engagement 
• Build rapport with entry- to mid-level donors 
• Write donor correspondence and mass solicitations 
• Adjust to shifting priorities and feedback. Apply sound judgment when making decisions and considering the impact on donors, colleagues, and institutional priorities. 
• Work closely with supervisor to devise effective strategies for portfolio outreach and prospect management 
• Understand institutional mission and programs 
• Coordinate annual giving campaigns or events 
• Analyze data effectively for mass solicitations and use research to prepare for internal/external meetings 
• Work effectively with internal and external constituents. Collaborate effectively with other Advancement teams. 
• Act as a team and Advancement ambassador.  

Required Qualifications

We welcome you to apply if you meet the minimum requirements listed below and are enthusiastic about the work. 

• 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). 
• 3 years of professional experience including at least one year of donor, constituent relations, relationship-based sales experience.  
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience closing annual gifts (up to $5,000) 
• Fundraising experience in higher education, arts organizations, or similarly complex non-profit environment 

Working Environment

• Standard office environment 
• Noise level is quiet to moderate 
• Regular nights and weekend event attendance 
• Eligible for hybrid work 

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.; regular night and weekend event attendance

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 10.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $62,000 - $72,000.

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.