Director of Development, College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

University of Denver•Quinte West, ON

1d•$100,000 - $115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Development plays a key role in advancing the philanthropic priorities of the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences and the University of Denver by building and strengthening relationships with major gift prospects and donors. This position focuses on discovering donors’ philanthropic passions and aligning them with funding priorities emerging from the College and the University. Working closely with the Executive Director of Development and Alumni Engagement and the Dean, the Director of Development manages and matures a portfolio of prospects and donors to advance strategic initiatives and achieve annual fundraising goals. The role is heavily focused on prospect qualification, cultivation, and solicitation, primarily at the major gift level ($50,000–$999,999). The Director of Development is primarily responsible for achieving a fundraising goal determined by portfolio capacity and consistently raises $1 million+ annually. Success in the role is measured through a combination of outcomes and activity metrics, including donor qualifications, visits, solicitations, and dollars raised, as well as outcomes related to limited assigned programmatic responsibilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
Seven (7) years of professional experience, including at least five (5) years of direct fundraising experience.
Demonstrated experience closing gifts at major gift level ($50,000-$999,999) through strategic portfolio management and relationship building.
Experience using standard office software (Microsoft Word, Excel) and donor management systems such as Salesforce and Advance.
Fundraising experience in higher education or similarly complex non-profit environment
Demonstrated expertise in managing annual, leadership annual, and major gift fundraising and outcomes. Basic understanding of planned giving principals.
Demonstrated ability to cultivate and close gifts of $100,000+ and lead targeted campaigns
Experience writing major gift proposals and crafting compelling cases for support
Skilled in leading positively through uncertainty and change and developing solid solutions for varied situations, applying sound judgment when making decisions, and considering the impact on donors, colleagues, and institutional priorities.
Experience building and managing an individual portfolio of donor to meet personal goals
Experience partnering with deans, faculty, or programmatic leaders to shape cases for support.
Effective in working with internal and external constituents and faculty and collaborating with other teams.

Nice To Haves

Fundraising experience in higher education or a comparably complex nonprofit environment.

Responsibilities

Raise $1,000,000+ annually, through a combination of leadership annual gifts and major gifts, once the portfolio is mature.
Contribute to annual and campaign goals by securing gifts aligned with institutional priorities and strategic initiatives.
Develop and execute complex fundraising strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects.
Manage a portfolio of donors with capacity to make gifts of $50,000+.
Leverage campaign priorities and university initiatives to inspire philanthropic investment.
Solicit donors for gifts of $50,000+ through a variety of channels, including blended gifts and multi-year commitments.
Represent the university’s breadth of academic programs and initiatives in donor conversations and proposals.
Prepare, debrief, and coach colleagues and academic partners for donor meetings and solicitations.
Steward budgetary and operational resources to support fundraising success and team efficiency.
Develop market expertise that includes providing support for campus leadership and driving market strategy in assigned region(s).
Align donor interests with institutional needs and campaign priorities.
Partner with academic leaders to identify fundable priorities and translate them into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
Support the development and implementation of donor engagement programs, recognition events, and stewardship initiatives.
Partner with donor relations to articulate the impact of philanthropy through customized communications, reports, and donor experiences.
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.
Travel and manage regional outreach, serving as market expert and partnering with colleagues, when appropriate.
Partner with central and unit-based advancement teams and campus colleagues.
Serve as a liaison between the college/unit and broader university advancement efforts.
Staff dean, academic leaders, and/or coaches to drive strategy, preparing for donor visits, and solicit and follow up.
Collaborate with regional and centrally based fundraisers to coordinate donor engagement and strategy execution.
Participate in cross-functional planning and strategy sessions to support integrated advancement goals.