Program Manager, Institute for Leaders in Development (ILD)

About the Program

The Institute for Leaders in Development (ILD) at the University of Denvers College of Professional Studies cultivates Colorados next generation of nonprofit fundraising leaders. Through a year-long volunteer-led program that includes monthly curriculum and instruction a capstone project and one-on-one mentorship ILD equips mid-career professionals with the knowledge skills and connections to foster fundraising career longevity and elevate philanthropy statewide. Operating on an annual budget of under $100000 ILD is privately fundraised and sustained by its Program Manager together with the collaborative leadership of its Executive and Steering Committees.

Position Summary

Serving as ILDs primary leader strategist and administrator the Program Manager is currently the sole paid staff member supporting the program. This position works in close partnership with the Executive and Steering Committees whose thought leadership and volunteer support are integral to ILDs success. The role requires a blend of expertise in fundraising community partnership and volunteer engagement to maintain and advance the programs excellence.

The ideal candidate brings both the relational acumen of a seasoned fundraiser and the operational discipline of an experienced program manager. They thrive in collaborative volunteer-driven environments and are passionate about building community elevating philanthropy and developing systems that foster creativity and measurable impact. As ILD strengthens its infrastructure and expands its reach this position is well-positioned for growthoffering the opportunity to shape the programs evolving capacity resources and strategic direction.

Essential Functions

Program Leadership & Coordination

• Oversee all aspects of ILDs annual program cycle participant communications and special events.
• Maintain annual timelines and track progress toward program committee and strategic goals.
• Serve as the central liaison among DU the Steering Committee participants and volunteers.
• Support seamless logistics and a high-quality participant experience through clear communication and consistent follow-through.
• Coordinate special events including kick-off and year-end celebrations and alumni connection opportunities.

Volunteer & Committee Management

• Partner with the Executive Committee to recruit orient and retain a balanced and engaged Steering Committee.
• Support and guide all volunteer committees (Recruitment Curriculum Mentor Capstone Donor Relations Volunteer Engagement Communications etc.) in developing annual goals and work plans.
• Prepare agendas minutes reports and progress updates for committee and Steering meetings.
• Promote accountability collaboration and shared ownership across volunteer leaders.

Fundraising & Resource Development

• In partnership with the Donor Relations and broader Steering Committees design lead and implement strategies to identify cultivate and steward individual foundation and corporate donors in order to expand ILDs operational capacity and advance its mission.
• Develop and manage grant and community partnership proposals donor communications and annual reports to funders that articulate ILDs impact and outcomes
• Collaborate with DU Advancement and College of Professional Studies to ensure gift processing acknowledgment and reporting align with university policy.
• Work closely with the Steering Committee to expand donor/community partnership prospecting sponsorships alumni giving and other creative revenue streams.
• Ensure fiscal transparency by maintaining accurate income and expense records issuing monthly reports to the Executive Committee and presenting full financial statements at each of the five annual Steering Committee meetings.
• Serve as an ambassador for ILD in the philanthropic communitypromoting its mission outcomes and partnership opportunities.

Community Partnerships & Outreach

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners alumni funders and peer leadership programs.
• Represent ILD at sector events conferences and university functions to elevate visibility and engagement.
• Strengthen ILDs alumni network through targeted communications collaboration opportunities and recognition initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Communications Committee to ensure consistent and compelling messaging across web social media and outreach materials.

Innovation Growth & Continuous Improvement

• Identify new opportunities to grow ILDs impact such as alumni programming professional development offerings or collaborative learning models.
• Bring a creative data-informed mindset to evolving ILDs programming funding and volunteer engagement strategies.
• Pilot and evaluate new systems CRM technologies and partnerships that enhance program efficiency and engagement.
• Maintain a forward-looking perspective to ensure ILD remains a leading voice in advancing Colorados philanthropic workforce staying informed on current trends innovations and best practices in fundraising and nonprofit leadership.

Budgeting Evaluation & Reporting

• Collaborate with the College of Professional Studies and the Steering Committee to develop and manage the annual ILD budget.
• Monitor expenditures and revenue in alignment with approved financial plans.
• Collect and analyze participant feedback and program metrics to inform continuous improvement and overall impact.
• Provide concise written reports capture and maintain meeting minutes and updates for Steering Committee meetings.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience in fundraising program management or nonprofit leadership.
• Proven success in donor cultivation grant writing and revenue generation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage volunteers and build community partnerships.
• Excellent organizational time management and communication skills.
• Deep knowledge of Colorados nonprofit and philanthropic landscape.
• Comfort with digital communication platforms databases (preference for experience with SalesForce) and online learning tools.
• Flexible schedule to accommodate key events during early spring and late summer.

Ideal Candidate Attributes

• Collaborative leader with strong emotional intelligence and relationship-building skills.
• Experienced fundraiser who can align strategy with storytelling.
• Organized proactive and detail-oriented.
• Passionate about advancing philanthropy and developing nonprofit leaders.
• Innovative thinker who enjoys improving systems and exploring new possibilities.

Work Schedule

This position averages approximately 16 hours per week across the 52-week calendar year with flexibility in scheduling based on program needs. Work hours vary seasonally with greater time commitments during the programs peak periods in early spring and late summer. As a largely self-directed role the successful candidate will be responsible for managing their schedule to meet deadlines coordinate with volunteers and university partners and ensure all program and event deliverables are met in a timely manner.

This role is primarily remote with scheduled in-person on-campus or community-based commitments. On-campus workspace is available.

Application Deadline

For consideration please submit your application materials by4:00 p.m. (MST) December 15 2025.

Special Instructions

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

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $25000-$30000.

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 compensation 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

TheUniversity of Denveroffers some benefits for non-benefited employees. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about theUniversity 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 DenversNonDiscriminationStatement.

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