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 – very high research activity as a Doctoral/Research University. Financial Times Higher Education, U.S. News, and The Princeton Review have consistently ranked DU among the nation’s top 100 universities and among the top three universities in the state of Colorado.
The University of Denver embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that define our region and our history. With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21st-century education, and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, we open a world of opportunity to students and empower Pioneers to make a difference around the world.
About DU Advancement
In preparation for the most ambitious philanthropic campaign in the University’s history, 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), the University of Denvers largest and most diverse academic unit, is committed to providing students with the education and skills necessary to succeed at any career in todays global, communication-based society. With over 28,000 alumni, CAHSS is comprised of two schools, 13 departments and numerous centers and institutes. CAHSS is where all DU undergraduate students build the foundation of their higher education. All 6,000 undergraduate students at DU take liberal arts courses in CAHSS, and one-third of these students declare a CAHSS major. Several of our departments and schools also offer masters and two have PhD programs. These range from music, art, media and journalism, economics and psychology and our Centers for Judaic Studies, Art Collection Ethics and the Denver Publishing Institute.
CAHSS faculty, staff and students come together in a shared quest for knowledge of the human condition. Students from around the world join us to study the many ways in which humans live in time and in space, as individuals and in groups. Our award-winning faculty members incorporate their national and international research and creative endeavors into the classroom to enhance the comprehensive learning experience and are engaged in community-based learning as part of DU’s mission to advance the public good.
Dr. Rhonda M. Gonzales joined DU in 2021 as dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and professor of history. Her areas of research and teaching expertise include African and African Diaspora history, specifically the history of East Africa and the early Atlantic slave trade to Mexico. Previously, Dr. Gonzales served as interim vice president for student success and associate vice provost for strategic initiatives at the University of Texas at San Antonio, as well as serving as chair of the history department and interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UTSA. She has been PI or co-PI on grants totaling more than $11 million to support student success, research and justice initiatives.
Position Summary
The Director of Development, Leadership Annual Giving for the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (CAHSS) reports directly to the Executive Director of Development in CAHSS and is part of the Development team in Advancement.
As part of a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative team, the director will focus on expanding the unit’s base of philanthropic support and supporting an ambitious vision for growth. The role is focused heavily on qualification of prospects, as well as cultivating relationships with and soliciting those with capacity to make gifts of $1,000 - $50,000. While the main focus of this role is working with individual donors, the Director may also manage a number of foundation relationships, including preparing foundation solicitations under $50,000.
The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, collaborative fundraising professional who will be deeply involved in the strategic annual fundraising efforts for CAHSS with an emphasis on new donor acquisition, upgrades, growing donors to the Crimson & Gold Society, and developing a pipeline for major gifts. Success in this position will be measured primarily through the metrics of qualifications, visits, solicitations, and dollars raised.
Essential Functions
Primary Responsibilities
- Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 100-200 prospects with the capacity to give at the level of $1,000 - $50,000. Solicitations will be multichannel including phone calls, mail, emails, and personal meetings.
- Plan, design, implement, and evaluate strategies to obtain outright annual gifts and multi-year pledges through targeted strategies to renew, reactivate, and upgraded gifts as well as prospect a pool of potential donors for acquisition.
- Partner with donor giving groups in relevant areas and the college’s Crimson & Gold Society members.
- Develop a working knowledge of the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences in general and funding priorities specifically to articulate a compelling case for support to all stakeholders.
- Meet annual metrics which typically include 120-150 visits and 150-200 solicitations.
University Citizenship
- Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all central and unit-based advancement functions and 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.
- Exceptionally high level of customer service skills.
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to speak and write effectively and persuasively; draft compelling proposals and letters.
- 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 and work experience
- 5 years of fundraising experience including experience managing a portfolio of donors and prospects
- Experience and demonstrated ability to identify, qualify, solicit, and steward gifts from individual donors
- Experience and demonstrated success in raising annual and/or major gifts for an institution of higher education, large nonprofit, or similar complex setting
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a University setting
- Experience in grant writing
- Experience working with leadership annual giving donors (gifts of $1,000 - $50,000)
- Experience working with volunteers in a philanthropic capacity
Working Environment
Standard office environment
Noise level is quiet to moderate
Some nights and weekend event attendance
May include some in state travel responsibilities
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
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; some nights and weekends as required
Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) Monday, July 31.
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 13.
Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $80,000-$105,000.
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. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans 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; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; 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; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university's complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non‑discrimination‑statement.
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.