Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts, Sturm College of Law

University of Denver•Denver, CO

15h•$75,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Denver (DU) is the oldest independent private university in the Rocky Mountain region, serving approximately 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students. DU is classified as an R1: Doctoral University, a designation recognizing the highest level of research activity among U.S. institutions. At DU, we approach higher education with the confident optimism and pragmatic independence that define the Rocky Mountain West. It sets us apart. We’re preparing students to become 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. As a top-tier private R-1 institution, we are dedicated to making the world a better place –contributing to our communities and making positive change in the world. DU Advancement drives meaningful connections and partnerships to support DU’s mission of advancing the public good. By championing philanthropy, engaging alumni, and fostering collaborative initiatives, we empower innovation, inspire transformation, and showcase what DU can do to create positive change in the world. This spirit is at the heart of The Denver Difference campaign. As DU’s most ambitious campaign yet, we are reimagining what the university experience can and should be. By preparing students for success in all aspects of life, DU is setting a new standard for higher education. DU Advancement reflects the excellence and innovation of the university itself. Through alumni engagement, development, operations, and campaign leadership, we are fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy to support our bold vision for the future. The University of Denver Sturm College of Law, led by Dean Bruce Smith, is one of the nation’s leading law schools for experiential learning, public service, and innovative legal education. Located in the heart of Denver’s legal and business community, the law school is nationally recognized for its top-ranked clinical program, which provides students with direct client advocacy experience in areas such as civil litigation, environmental law, immigration, community economic development, and veterans services. Sturm Law graduates are deeply connected to the region’s legal and civic infrastructure. With a strong alumni network of more than 17,000 professionals—and a majority of graduates choosing to remain in Colorado—the law school plays a vital role in strengthening the state’s legal system, business community, and public sector leadership. Grounded in its mission to advance the public good through scholarship, teaching, and engagement, the Sturm College of Law is committed to preparing students to practice with competence, integrity, and a strong sense of professional responsibility, while contributing meaningfully to the legal profession and the communities they serve. The Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts, for the Sturm College of Law is a frontline fundraising professional responsible for building and managing a robust portfolio of donors and prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $50,000 or more. With a strong emphasis on donor qualification and pipeline development, this role will focus on engaging prospects rated between $50,000 and $250,000, as well as individuals with planned giving potential, particularly within the Denver metropolitan area. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Development and Alumni Engagement for the law school, the Associate Director will proactively identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni, donors, and friends to advance the Sturm College of Law’s philanthropic priorities. As a key member of a high-performing advancement team of five fundraising and alumni engagement professionals, this position operates within a culture that values values boldness, inclusion, creativity, excellence while maintaining a commitment to the well-being of our team and community. The Associate Director will work closely with faculty and central advancement partners to develop tailored strategies and compelling cases for support that inspire philanthropic investment in scholarships, programs, and faculty. Success in this role will be defined by the ability to qualify new major gift prospects, conduct a high volume of meaningful donor visits, solicit donors at the major gift level, and raise significant philanthropic support while contributing positively to a team 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).
5 years of professional experience including at least 3 years of donor, constituent relations, and relationship-based sales experience.
Demonstrated experience closing gifts or sales through direct cultivation of individual prospects.
Fundraising Principles & Practices: Demonstrates proficiency in annual and leadership annual giving strategies.
Basic understanding of major gift strategies.
Relationship Building: Demonstrated ability to cultivate and solicit gifts of $10,000+
Communications: Writes donor correspondence and crafts compelling cases for support
Strategic Thinking: Manages change in donor and team dynamics.
Applies sound judgment when making decisions and considering the impact on donors, colleagues, and institutional priorities.
Portfolio Management: Works closely with supervisor to build and manage an individual portfolio to meet personal goals
Higher Education Landscape: Understands institutional mission and programs
Campaign Experience: Coordinates multi-channel fundraising efforts, and/or coordinates concurrent efforts
Data Analysis: Interprets data to prioritize prospects
Collaboration & Teamwork: Works effectively with internal and external constituents.
Collaborates effectively with other Advancement teams
Leadership: Acts as a team and Advancement ambassador

Nice To Haves

Fundraising experience in higher education or similarly complex non-profit environment
Professional experience in, or exposure to, the legal community

Responsibilities

Pipeline Building: Activities focused on identifying, qualifying, and cultivating prospects to grow the donor base.
Build and manage a portfolio of 100-200 prospects rated at the major gift level.
Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects in support of major gifts.
Utilize multichannel engagement (email, phone, events, visits) to deepen relationships.
Fundraising: Direct solicitation and campaign-related activities.
Solicit gifts of $50,000+, including multi-year commitments.
Achieve an annual individual fundraising goal of approximately $500,000 - $1,000,000+.
Develop and execute fundraising strategies aligned with institutional and unit priorities.
Support campaign initiatives and leverage Sturm College of Law and campus campaign priorities to secure philanthropic support.
Programmatic Responsibilities: Engagement, stewardship, and donor experience activities.
Partner with central alumni engagement and donor relations teams to support engagement and stewardship of major gift rated constituents.
Develop compelling proposals and communications tailored to donor interests.
Operational Excellence: Project management, reporting, and internal coordination.
Ensure accurate and timely entry of contact reports and donor data in the CRM.
Track and report on key performance indicators such as qualifications, visits, solicitations, and dollars raised.
Manage complex projects and initiatives in compliance with university policies and procedures.
Travel and manage regional outreach, serving as market expert and partnering with colleagues, when appropriate.