Assistant Director of Development, Regional Leadership Annual Giving

About the University of Denver

The University of Denver (DU) is the oldest independent private university in the Rocky Mountain region serving approximately 12000 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. Were preparing students to become 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. 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 DUs 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 DUs 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.

Position Summary

With a focus on the Greater Denver region where there is a high concentration of prospects the Assistant Director of Development will be dedicated to helping DU grow and expand its philanthropic base of support. The Assistant Director will serve as a university generalist but will concentrate efforts on alumni and prospects from specific academic units (including but not limited to the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Morgridge College of Education Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Professional Studies.) 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 DUs top priorities in the region the Assistant Director of Development will serve in a highly outbound capacity. They will have a heavy focus on qualification and retention of leadership annual giving prospects through solicitations of gifts in the $1000-$50000 (mid-range) annually to confirm their philanthropic interest in DU. The ultimate goal is to grow the universitys major gift pipeline through a donor centered approach. The Assistant Director will qualify cultivate solicit and steward prospects toward sustained giving at the leadership annual giving level. The key performance indicators for this position will be strategic qualifications visits LAG solicitations dollars raised and retention of donors within unit LAG gift bands.

Successful candidates will be highly collaborative motivated and skilled at building addition they will be deeply involved in the growth and expansion of DUs 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 Assistant 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 specific schools colleges and units to align strategies for regional constituents.

Essential Functions

• Pipeline Building: Activities focused on identifying qualifying and cultivating prospects to grow the donor base.
  • Partner with colleagues to design and implement strategies to identify qualify and cultivate donors and prospects.
  • Manage a portfolio of leadership annual giving prospects to build the donor pipeline.
  • Collaborate with academic and unit partners to align outreach strategies with institutional priorities.
  • Assist in identifying and qualifying prospects for major gifts.
  • Facilitate the strategic transition of qualified prospects to appropriate development officers for continued cultivation.
• Fundraising: Direct solicitation and campaign-related activities.
  • Solicit leadership annual gifts ranging from $1000 to $50000 through personalized and multichannel approaches.
  • Liaise with development colleagues to identify and communicate campaign priorities to prospects in the following academic units: MCE PSC RSECS and NSM.
  • Retain donors within unit LAG gift bands.
• Programmatic Responsibilities: Engagement stewardship and donor experience activities.
  • Support the planning and execution of donor engagement events and cultivation activities.
  • Provide support to advisory boards and volunteer groups to deepen constituent involvement.
• Operational Excellence: Project management reporting and internal coordination.
  • 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.
  • Travel to assigned area(s) to deepen DU connections with prospects. Conduct travel in accordance with university policies.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Fundraising Principles & Practices: Possesses basic understanding of fundraising principles and donor engagement
• Relationship Building: Builds rapport with entry- to mid-level donors
• Communications: Writes donor correspondence and mass solicitations
• Strategic Thinking: Adjusts to shifting priorities and feedback. Applies sound judgment when making decisions and considering the impact on donors colleagues and institutional priorities.
• Portfolio Management: Works closely with supervisor to devise effective strategies for portfolio outreach and prospect management
• Higher Education Landscape: Understands institutional mission and programs
• Campaign Experience: Coordinates small annual giving campaigns or events
• Data Analysis: Analyze data effectively for mass solicitations and/or Uses research to prepare for internal/external meetings
• 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

• Bachelors 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 1 year of advancement work. donor or constituent relations or relationship-based sales experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience closing annual gifts (up to $5000)
• Fundraising experience in higher education or similarly complex non-profit environment

Working Environment

• Standard open office environment
• Noise level is quiet to moderate
• Some night and weekend event attendance
• Significant local travel responsibilities primarily in Denver and between Colorado Springs and Fort Collins
• 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.; some 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 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 $62000- $72000.

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.