Assistant Director of Development, Newman Center for the Performing Arts

University of Denver•Denver, CO

43d•$62,000 - $72,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Development for the Newman Center for the Performing Arts is a frontline fundraising professional responsible for driving philanthropic revenue through leadership annual giving (LAG) while actively qualifying prospects for the major gifts (MG) pipeline. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development and Alumni Engagement and embedded within the Newman Center, this position manages a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $1,000-$49,999. The primary focus of the role is direct solicitation of LAG gifts and strategic identification and qualification of prospects with major gift capacity. This position will also lead annual giving campaigns, donor recognition programs, and targeted stewardship efforts for the Newman Center with a focus on converting ticket buyers and subscribers to donors and retaining donors at the LAG level. In close collaboration with Newman Center leadership and DU Advancement partners, the Assistant Director will help communicate the Newman Center's philanthropic priorities to donors and prospects. Success will be measured by leadership annual gifts secured, prospects qualified for major gifts, donor engagement outcomes, and contributions to a collaborative and mission-centered culture.

Requirements

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 professional experience including at least one year of donor, constituent relations, relationship-based sales experience.
Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends.
Possess basic understanding of fundraising principles and donor engagement
Build rapport with entry- to mid-level donors
Write donor correspondence and mass solicitations
Adjust to shifting priorities and feedback. Apply sound judgment when making decisions and considering the impact on donors, colleagues, and institutional priorities.
Work closely with supervisor to devise effective strategies for portfolio outreach and prospect management
Understand institutional mission and programs
Coordinate annual giving campaigns or events
Analyze data effectively for mass solicitations and use research to prepare for internal/external meetings
Work effectively with internal and external constituents. Collaborate effectively with other Advancement teams.
Act as a team and Advancement ambassador.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience closing annual gifts (up to $5,000)
Fundraising experience in higher education, arts organizations, or similarly complex non-profit environment

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of LAG prospects capable of making gifts of $1,000-$49,999.
Conduct outreach to assigned prospects using multichannel strategies (email, phone, personal visits, digital engagement, events) with a goal of soliciting annual and multi-year commitments.
Partner closely with the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development, Executive Director of the Newman Center, and other campus partners to identify philanthropic opportunities aligned with institutional goals.
Assist in identifying and qualifying prospects for major gifts and partner with Newman Center and Advancement leadership to cultivate and solicit qualified major gift prospects.
Manage Newman Center annual giving strategy and implementation through targeted direct mail and digital fundraising campaigns in partnership with DU's central annual giving team.
Leverage annual giving program to acquire new donors including ticket buyers and subscribers and retain donors within unit LAG gift bands.
Oversee the strategy and execution of Newman Center Giving Circle courtesies and recognition including Rose Club events, VIP and special access events, and recognition in event programs.
Partner with donor relations and the Newman Center team to ensure proper acknowledgement of donors and develop donor stewardship reports for programs as well as individual donors.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions and contact reports in the CRM system.
Manage projects and initiatives in alignment with university policies and advancement best practices.
Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all DU Advancement partners including central development, operations teams, and peer fundraisers.
Partner with campus and Newman Center colleagues to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative fundraising practices.
Contribute to team success and model "One DU" leadership.