Director of Development SEHD

University of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•$90,000 - $97,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Colorado Denver is a leading public urban research university located in the heart of downtown Denver, where academic excellence, innovation and community partnership come together to expand opportunity and strengthen communities. Within this dynamic institution, the School of Education & Human Development is a statewide and national leader in educational quality, access and equity across the lifespan, from birth through higher education. SEHD prepares equity-minded educators, counselors, researchers and leaders who create meaningful change in schools, families and communities across Colorado and beyond. Through innovative academic programs, impactful research and deep community partnerships, the school advances well-being, opportunity and lifelong learning in diverse urban, rural and global communities. The Director of Development will join SEHD at an important moment of opportunity, building philanthropic partnerships that expand student access, elevate faculty and research, and extend the school’s impact for generations to come. Job Purpose: The Director of Development is responsible for leading, developing and executing advancement efforts, which includes developing and managing relationships with gift prospects, and soliciting and stewarding major gifts to maximize philanthropic support for the School of Education & Human Development. Serves as a philanthropic advisor and builds relationships within the School of Education & Human Development to facilitate meaningful connections for donors. Impact & Influence: In a centralized Advancement structure with a team of 23 professionals, the Director of Development is a major gift officer who will grow the pipeline of major and principal gift prospects and donors by partnering with university administration, the Vice Chancellor for Advancement, Executive Director, Deans, faculty, and other campus partners and collaborate with Donor Engagement, Advancement Communications, Alumni Engagement, Gift Planning, fellow major gift officers, and colleagues in central Advancement, including Research, Strategy, and Prospect Management. Success in this role requires strong collaboration, strategic management of donor relationships, accountability for fundraising results, and a commitment to ethical, donor-centered fundraising practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in nonprofit management, business, marketing or other related field
Two (2) years of experience in fundraising, alumni/donor relations, or other nonprofit role or equivalent experience in for-profit marketing or project management or directly related field
Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.
Knowledge of major gift fundraising within a higher education or similar environment.
Superior relationship building skills.
Proven success in securing and conducting face to face meetings for major solicitations.
Excellent spoken and written communication skills.
Ability to prioritize, negotiate, and influence effectively.
Effective interpersonal, strategic planning, administrative and organizational skills.
Solid judgement and sensitivity to others.
Ability to work independently and as part of a larger team.
Familiarity with financial planning, tax and charitable gift laws, and planned giving vehicles and methods.
Ability to effectively manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
Ability to cold call.
Ability to qualify and disqualify.
Ability to work with a generalized prospect pool.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and internet navigation tools with proven knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet software, email, internet access software, and CRM.
Ability to meet metrics and establish goals.
Maintain excellent records and stay up to date with contact reports, expense reports, and all required internal administrative processes.
Proven track record of donor engagement to include identification, cultivation, solicitation at > $25,000.
Ability to create individual donor strategies for solicitation.
Demonstrates commitment to ethical fundraising practices and effective engagement with various constituencies.
Position is highly visible and requires weekends and evenings for attendance at special events, travel, dinners, athletic events, and entertainment.
This position requires great flexibility around weekend and evening activities.
Shows enthusiasm for urban public higher education mission.
Must have legal driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in a directly related field.
Five (5) or more years of professional related experience in fundraising in a college or university development program or other comparable charitable organization.
Experience managing high-level volunteers.

Responsibilities

Maximize the philanthropic potential of a portfolio of major gift prospects by soliciting and closing gifts that advance the mission of the university with a portfolio heavily populated but not limited to Alumni, friends, corporations and foundations.
The portfolio will vacillate based on the rating and research analysis of the best targets for major gift opportunities in service to the university.
Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 80-100 prospects, including individuals, corporations, and foundations (SEHD has a long history of heavy corporate, foundation, and gift planning engagement) for gifts of $25,000+.
Align donor interests with the strategic priorities of the university.
Analyze prospect research materials to target likely donors of $25,000+.
Ensure that contact reports are written and entered in a timely manner and utilized to gain the maximum value from future donor engagements.
Work with Executive Director of Development on developing an annual fundraising operating plan to establish fundraising goals built on portfolio projections and historical fundraising.
Build fundraising strategies around existing research activities, specifically interdisciplinary societal grand challenges identified by the university.
In addition to fundraising goals, the Director of Development will be responsible for meeting specific process targets designed to ensure a disciplined approach to building a successful major gift program, such as visits, proposals, and portfolio penetration.
Creating and implementing fundraising strategies for programs and initiatives that focus on rated targets of $25,000+
Developing familiarity with campus and unit fundraising priorities
Working collaboratively with campus partners and Advancement colleagues to formulate plans for prospect engagement and identifying potential top donors not yet aware of or engaged with the university
Facilitating interaction between major gift prospects and campus and system leaders and faculty
Other duties as assigned.