About the University of Denver
The University of Denver is a private institution dedicated to the public good. Here, we create a better future for all.

Through the 4D Experience, our community members build skills, knowledge and perspective at our campuses nestled in the vibrant city of Denver and the Rocky Mountains. As globally-minded citizens, we strive to make a difference in the world and create real, lasting change through collaborations and cutting-edge research designed to solve real-world challenges. For over 150 years, DU has offered a multitude of disciplines, majors and degrees designed to prepare students for lives and careers of purpose.

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 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 mutual respect for one another and for our shared profession.

Position Summary

The University of Denver is seeking an experienced, driven, and passionate fundraiser to join our Advancement team as the Senior Director of Development, Gift Planning. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Gift Planning, the Senior Director of Development is a key fundraising professional for the University of Denver. They will manage a portfolio of gift planning donors and prospects while also partnering with a campus-wide network of academic leaders, fundraising professionals, and other key partners to advance the University’s top priorities, as expressed in The Denver Difference Campaign. The Senior Director of Development will develop and mature their assigned portfolio of planned gift donors. This will include managing top prospects in pursuit of individual fundraising goals set annually in collaboration with the Executive Director and the Associate Vice Chancellor for Development. The Senior Director will serve as a close partner and key resource for other advancement professionals to solicit and close planned gifts. The campus-wide Advancement team is highly collaborative in its work and the Director will be expected to build and foster extensive value-added relationships with their campus partners.

The successful candidate will possess a strong capacity for developing relationships with gift planning prospects as well as their advisors and family members, to cultivate and close complex gift plans, as well as conceive and implement customized strategic cultivation and solicitation plans for each prospect. They must possess excellent communication and relationship-building skills as well as possess a deep commitment to a rigorous, holistic educational experience as well as a demonstrated ability to galvanize support to advance this cause.

Essential Functions

Fundraising

• The Senior Director will develop meaningful and productive relationships with a portfolio of planned gift donors including alumni, friends and parents.
• This position is responsible for engaging philanthropic support for the University of Denver, and they will work primarily with planned gift donors assigned to their portfolio.
• Achieve an annual fundraising goal of $1-3M from personal portfolio of prospects and in collaboration with other development professionals. 
• Collaborate with other development professionals across campus to effectively design and execute gift strategies.

Leadership

• Educate colleagues and peers across campus on gift planning techniques, and support colleagues in structuring and successfully closing gifts involving complex assets.
• Provide mentorship to the Director of Development, Gift Planning.
• Engage in the advancement goal-setting process for gift planning metrics.
• Effectively and responsibly steward budgetary and other resources to advance the University of Denver.

Partnerships & University Citizenship

• Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all academic departments and functions, central and unit-based advancement functions, and other campus colleagues, to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative fundraising practices.
• Model One DU leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of gift planning techniques and best practices and familiarity with the long-term and complex nature of gift planning.
• Demonstrated ability to close major gifts ($50,000+) through leadership gifts ($1 million+) in a relationship-based culture.
• Demonstrated ability to form and fully leverage cross-functional teams of colleagues, volunteers, and academic/administrative leaders toward closure of transformational gifts.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience strategizing with academic leadership or equivalent leadership to successful conclusions.
• Demonstrated ability to work with various stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven ability to work with a high level of confidence and independence, to maintain confidentiality, to prioritize assignments, and to manage time effectively.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills that help foster and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, donors, volunteers, and University Officials.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups having competing interests and priorities within the University and community.
• Cultural competency and ability to understand and appreciate cultural differences and to communicate effectively across cultures.
• Ability to serve as a strong coach and mentor to other advancement professionals and to foster an inclusive, collaborative, inquisitive, innovative, ethical, and transparent office culture founded on deep mutual respect.

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 the degree qualification).
• 5 years of paid fundraising experience, working within the full spectrum of development, including cultivation, gift solicitations, stewardship, and donor recognition.
• Experience securing gifts with complex assets.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7+ years of paid fundraising experience
• 3+ years of direct experience securing gifts of complex assets
• Graduate degree in business, law, non-profit management, or a related field of study
• Experience working in a University setting or similarly complex non-profit environment

Working Environment

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

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for an extended period.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus 

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Some nights and weekends as required.  In accordance with the University’s 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 28, 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 15.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $120,000-$150,000.

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.