Manager, Foundation Relations

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 12900 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. DU is classified as an R1: Doctoral University.

At the University of Denver were doing higher education our way: authentic to the Rocky Mountain Wests confident optimism and pragmatic independence. It sets us apart. Were preparing young people to be the solutions in their own stories empowering them to face uncertainty with confidence and uncommon sense.

Were fiercely ambitious and forward-thinking surpassing all expectations to redefine success and how to achieve it. And were 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 campaign 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 the Foundation Relations Team

The Foundation Relations team at the University of Denver is a dynamic and collaborative group dedicated to securing funding from private grant-making organizations to support the Universitys highest priorities. The team is composed of an Executive Director Senior Director Director and Manager each playing a crucial role in advancing the Universitys mission. The Foundation Relations team is committed to fostering strong relationships with foundation leadership and program officers to secure complex gifts and philanthropic grants. Their collaborative efforts ensure that the University of Denver continues to thrive and achieve its strategic goals through effective foundation partnerships.

Position Summary

The University of Denver is seeking an experienced driven and passionate professional to join our Advancement team as the Manager Foundation Relations based in Denver Colorado. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Foundation Relations the Manager will partner with Foundation Relations colleagues to coordinate and manage the internal facing activities for the Foundation Relations team in support of the teams collective goals. The Manager will also engage with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) Corporate Relations academic units and advancement colleagues in support of Foundation Relations collective success.

The Manager will work in close partnership with other members of the Foundation Relations team to support their frontline work. They will gather and maintain the internal information that supports typical foundation applications. In addition they will develop foundation briefings support site visits some post-award activities (e.g. grant reporting and grant budget revisions) and foundation stewardship. The Manager will also work in close coordination with ORSP to support the universitys limited submission process for limited submission foundation grant opportunities open RFP announcement communications and other activities requiring partnership with the ORSP Research Grant Development team.

The successful candidate will possess a strong capacity for organization project management and foundation research. They must possess excellent communication (written and oral) and relationship-building skills.

Essential Functions

Research and Information Management

• Conduct and maintain research on foundations in coordination with Prospect Research to ensure information is fully leveraged within PioSphere.
• Conduct regular audits of grant awards administered by ORSP and communicate findings to Foundation Relations team as well as document applicable findings within PioSphere.
• Prepare foundation donor briefings for Foundation Relations and University leadership meetings with foundation program officers and executives.
• Maintain the Foundation Relations team library of proposal attachments liaising with the Controllers office as needed.

Post Award Activities

• Manage some post award activities including but not limited to grant budget revisions grant reporting no-cost extension requests and internal communications.

Stewardship Support

• Provide stewardship support in partnership with the Foundation Relations team leads and the Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship:
  
  • Standard stewardship activities.
  • Proactive stewardship to current foundation partners and foundation prospects.

Logistics and Communication

• Manage deadlines for RFPs and limited submissions
• Manage site visit logistics in partnership with administrative support colleagues.
• Manage the Foundation Relations limited submission process in partnership with ORSP.
• Partner with ORSP to proactively disseminate RFP opportunities to appropriate faculty.
• Be a two-way point of contact with ORSP for applicable information.

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 practices.
• Model One DU citizenship.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Interest in learning about Foundation Relations techniques and the long-term and complex nature of foundation partnerships.
• Proven ability for strong and compelling written and oral communications.
• Proven ability to work with a high level of confidence and independence to maintain confidentiality to prioritize assignments and to manage time effectively.
• Strong project management experience with the ability to successfully engage in multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills that help foster and maintain effective relationships with colleagues foundations and university officials/leaders.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups having competing interests and priorities within the University and community.
• Ability to foster an inclusive collaborative inquisitive innovative ethical and transparent office culture founded on deep mutual respect.

Required Qualifications

We welcome applications from all candidates including first-generation applicants and individuals from diverse backgrounds such as veterans and those with disabilities. We welcome you to apply if you meet the minimum requirements listed below and are enthusiastic about the work.

• Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience (Veterans with equivalent combination of military certification/education and experience may substitute for the degree qualification)
• 2 years of paid fundraising research development or related experience working within various areas of fundraising or grants management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a University setting or similarly complex non-profit environment.
• Experience working in a team environment in support of shared goals.
• Experience working with foundations and/or in grants administration.

Working Environment

• Standard open office environment
• Noise level is quiet to moderate

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 nights and weekends as required. In accordance with the Universitys flexible work policy this position is eligible to be considered for partial remote work. Further details regarding this plan will be determined with the hiring manager and are dependent on the division and team specific needs.

Application Deadline
For consideration please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) July 31 2025.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 9.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $58000-$68000.

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 candidates 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 Universitys 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 Workers 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 Denvers NonDiscriminationStatement.

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