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.

About the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (CAHSS)

The College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (CAHSS) is the University of Denver’s largest and most academically diverse unit, home to two schools, 21 departments, and numerous centers and institutes. With more than 28,000 alumni, CAHSS is a cornerstone of the DU experience—every undergraduate takes courses in the liberal arts, and one-third declares a CAHSS major. The College also offers a range of graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees in areas such as music, art, media and journalism, economics, and psychology, as well as specialized programs like the Denver Publishing Institute and the Center for Judaic Studies.

CAHSS faculty are nationally recognized scholars and artists who bring their research and creative work into the classroom, enriching student learning and advancing the University’s mission to serve the public good through community engagement.

In 2025, Dr. Sahara Byrne was appointed Dean of CAHSS. A scholar of communication and media effects, Dr. Byrne previously served as Senior Associate Dean at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Her research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Science Foundation. As dean, she brings a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, student-centered education, and community impact.

This is an exciting time to join CAHSS, as the College builds on its strong foundation and looks ahead to new strategic opportunities under dynamic leadership.

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Development, Leadership Annual Giving for the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (CAHSS) reports directly to the Executive Director of Development and Alumni Engagement in CAHSS and is part of the Development and Alumni Engagement team in DU Advancement.

The associate director will focus on expanding the unit’s base of philanthropic support through qualification and solicitation of an assigned portfolio of prospects. The focus of this work will be on gifts at the leadership annual giving level ($1,000 - $49,999), prioritizing less restrictive gifts of cash to top philanthropic priorities for the college.

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, disciplined fundraiser who is experienced in new donor acquisition and upgrades. The position will make an important contribution to both the annual giving efforts of the college as well as the pipeline for major gifts. Success in this position will be measured primarily through metrics including qualifications, visits, and dollars raised as well as positive contributions to the team objectives and culture.

Essential Functions

Grow and expand the base of philanthropy

• Manage an active portfolio of 100-200 donors and prospects with the capacity to give at the $1,000 - $49,999 level. Qualify prospects for major giving with the capacity to give at the $50,000+ level.
• Develop short and long-term plans to renew, reactivate, and upgrade assigned prospects, securing outright annual gifts and multi-year pledges to unit priorities.
• Identify and execute prospect strategies through multichannel communication including phone calls, mail, emails, event engagement, and personal meetings.
• Build the major gift pipeline through qualification, upgrades, and referrals to major gift officers.
• Develop a working knowledge of CAHSS in general, and funding priorities specifically, to articulate a compelling case for support to all stakeholders.
• Partner with the CAHSS Development and Alumni Engagement Team to participate in and support programming and events that impact philanthropic goals.
• Generate timely contact reports in the Advancement database, accurately capturing individual activities and outcomes, to support collaboration and viability.
• Metrics may include number of visits, qualification of major gift prospects, solicitations, major gift referrals, and dollars raised. The Associate Director will have responsibility for reaching fundraising goals in the Leadership Annual Giving category, which generally falls within the $1.2M-1.5M range.

University Citizenship

• Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all DU Advancement partners including central development, alumni engagement, and peer fundraisers.
• Partner with campus colleagues to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative fundraising practices.
• Contribute to team success and model “One DU” leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Adept at using judgment and discretion in situations that require sensitivity and tact.
• Demonstrated ability to close philanthropic gifts in a relationship-based culture.
• Demonstrated ability to form and fully leverage cross-functional teams of colleagues, volunteers, and academic/University leaders toward closure of transformational gifts.
• Exceptionally high level of customer service skills.
• Must be able to manage time well, particularly while managing competing priorities.
• Must be able to work independently, as well as a part of a team.
• Must have strong communication skills, including the ability to speak and write effectively and persuasively; draft compelling proposals and letters.
• Demonstrated proficiency in using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to accurately enter, update, and manage data, recognizing the importance of data integrity and maintaining high standards.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups having competing interests and priorities within the University and community.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s 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 paid fundraising experience, working within the full spectrum of development, including cultivation, gift solicitations, stewardship, and donor recognition.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, qualify, cultivate, and generate revenue from individual prospects.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education or similarly complex non-profit environment
• Demonstrated success in raising annual gifts in the range of $1,000-$50,000+Experience managing a portfolio of prospects.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment
• Noise level is quiet to moderate

Physical Activities

• Ability to work 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

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) August 18, 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 12.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000.

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.