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, 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 advancement professional to lead engagement and fundraising efforts within Advancement’s school and college-based alumni engagement and development team. The Executive Director will expand and deepen the base of philanthropic support from constituents and prospects interested in investing in education, focusing efforts on building a sustainable pipeline of volunteers and prospects for their assigned unit(s). Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development & Alumni Engagement, Schools & Colleges, the Executive Director works closely and collaboratively with the deans, academic leaders, faculty, and peers in the assigned academic unit(s).

The Executive Director of Development & Alumni Engagement will have a heavy focus on the qualification and solicitation of individual major gift prospects using a donor-centered approach. Key performance indicators for this position include: major gift qualifications, visits, major gift solicitations, and dollars raised. While the focus of this role is working with individual prospects and donors, the Executive Director will also partner with central advancement functions in Campus Initiatives, Foundation Relations, Annual Giving, and Gift Planning, among others.

The successful candidate will be highly collaborative, motivated, and skilled at establishing and maintaining strong relationships. Additionally, the Executive Director will be expected to be knowledgeable about the unique programs within their assigned unit and be creative in their approach to engagement and prospect strategies.

Essential Functions

Management and Leadership

• Provide leadership of the development and alumni engagement team for their assigned unit(s). This includes supporting the day-to-day operations of the team, as well as facilitating the recruitment, hiring, training, mentoring, evaluation, and professional development of the team.
• Provide for and encourage individual professional development, inspire teamwork, and serve as a positive presence and advocate for change and business transformation.
• Communicate goals and priorities to the development and alumni engagement team of their assigned unit(s); provide consistent messaging to team leads and ensure the team is working toward a shared goal.
• Effectively manage the development and alumni engagement operating budget(s) of their assigned unit(s), as well as the associated program budgets under their purview. This includes monitoring transactions and assisting in budget modeling and forecasting processes.
• Engage in the advancement goal-setting process, including fundraising and engagement metrics, and monitor progress toward goals.

Fundraising

• Identify and qualify major gift prospects for assigned unit(s).
• Cultivate and solicit gifts at the principal, major, and leadership annual giving levels, with a focus on major gifts of $50,000+. Metrics include number of solicitations and dollars raised (approximate $5M-$15M goal depending on assigned unit(s)).
• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors who have the capacity to give at major and principal giving levels through strategic cultivation and solicitation, as measured by efficient and fast-paced moves management techniques.
• Develop a working knowledge of the academic unit(s) and relevant programs and funding priorities specifically to articulate a compelling case for support to all stakeholders.
• Solicit managed prospects for annual gifts as appropriate.

Alumni Engagement

• Execute an integrated engagement strategy for assigned unit(s) in alignment with the DU’s strategic vision, ensuring alumni and constituents are meaningfully involved through advisory boards, events, and volunteer opportunities that support the college’s mission and advancement goals.

Partnerships & University Citizenship

• Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all central and unit-based Advancement staff and other campus colleagues, to foster stratgic, effective, and collaborative career and professional development practices.
• Models “One DU” leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated track record of securing multi-year commitments from individual donors by strategically managing a portfolio and fostering meaningful relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to close major gifts ($50,000+), leadership gifts ($1 million+), principal gifts ($5 million+), and gifts with complex assets in a relationship-based culture.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, qualify, solicit, and steward gifts from individual donors.
• Expertise in forming and executing cross-functional teams of colleagues, volunteers, and academic/administrative leaders to represent interests of alumni and donors.
• Strong writing, editing and verbal communication skills. Ability to represent the University of Denver in a variety of capacities, including its major initiatives and units.
• Proven ability to work with a high level of independence, maintain confidentiality, prioritize assignments, and manage time effectively.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills to 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.
• Fluency in data management and analysis.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education or work experience
•  7 years of paid fundraising experience, working within the full spectrum of development, including cultivation, gift solicitations, stewardship, and donor recognition.
• Experience closing major ($50K+) and principal gifts ($1M+)
• Experience directly staffing a dean (or equivalent unit-specific leader) in a complex organization.
• Supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a University setting or similarly complex non-profit environment.
• Experience working with the Dean of an academic unit.
• Management of philanthropic volunteers, including volunteer boards/committees.

Working Environment

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

Physical Activities

• Ability to sit in front of 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.
• Ability to travel periodically within Denver and nationally.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) July 23, 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 16.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $140,000-$160,000.

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.