Director of Development, Athletics

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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, DU Advancement and DU Athletics 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 DU Athletics

The University of Denver is annually one of the top NCAA Division I-AAA athletic departments in the country, boasting 35 team NCAA Championships in Men’s Ice Hockey, Skiing, and Men’s Lacrosse while sustaining elite-level academic success. In academic year 2022-2023, the Pioneers have competed in national championships for Men’s Ice Hockey, Women’s Gymnastics, and Women’s Lacrosse. This success has created tremendous philanthropic opportunity for annual fund, capital, and endowment fundraising. This position will play a major role contributing to the athletics development team and shaping the future of DU Athletics.

Position Summary

This position reports directly to the Executive Director of Development for Athletics (Deputy AD for Development) and partners with the Vice Chancellor for Athletics & Ritchie Center Operations and Office of Advancement. As the University of Denver prepares for its next comprehensive campaign, this position plays a key role in developing and enhancing relationships with major gift prospects and donors, discovering their philanthropic passions, and aligning them with the funding priorities emerging from the athletics department and broader University. The Director of Development will develop and mature a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors to advance strategic priorities and achieve annual fundraising goals, set in collaboration with the Executive Director of Development. The Advancement team is highly collaborative in its work and builds extensive value-added relationships with its campus partners.

Successful candidates will be highly collaborative, motivated, and skilled at building relationships. In addition, they will be deeply involved in the growth and expansion of DU Athletics’ donor base. The University of Denver is unique in its varsity sport composition and conference affiliations, as well as academic portfolio, boasting both strong undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. The director will collaborate closely with advancement colleagues working within the specific schools, colleges, and central units as well as coaches and athletics department staff members.

Essential Functions

Grow and expand the base of philanthropy:

• Plan, design, implement, and evaluate strategies to successfully identify and qualify major gift prospects, as measured by number of qualifications.
• Initially utilize annual gift solicitations to determine major gift willingness and capacity, by cultivating and soliciting prospects for gifts between $1,000 - $50,000 (typically annually). Solicitations may be multi­channel, as well as multi-year pledges. Metrics may include number of visits, strategic cultivations, solicitations, major gift partnerships, and dollars raised.
• Manage a portfolio of major gift-rated prospects who have the capacity to give at the major gift level through strategic cultivation and stewardship, as measured by efficient and fast-paced moves management techniques.
• Elevate the major giving philosophy to DU Athletics including conceptualizing and implementing a major giving society
• Collaborate with other development professionals across campus to effectively design, execute gift strategies, and solicit prospects and donors.
• Travel regularly to meet with donors in key markets across the country and within the greater Denver area.

Leadership:

• As a leader in DU Advancement, provide strategy, guidance, and direction in support of the mission, vision, values, and goals of the University of Denver.
• Engage in the advancement goal-setting process for the department, including fundraising engagement metrics.
• Effectively and responsibly steward budgetary and other resources to advance DU Athletics.

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

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills that help foster and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, donors, volunteers, and University leaders.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups having competing interests and priorities within the University and community.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to speak and write effectively and persuasively to draft compelling proposals and letters.
• Proven ability to work with a high level of confidence and independence, to maintain confidentiality, to prioritize assignments, and to manage time effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to form and fully leverage cross-functional teams of colleagues, volunteers, and University leaders toward closure of major gifts.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit gifts from individual donors
• Ability and willingness to travel.

Required Qualifications

• 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 paid fundraising experience, working within the full spectrum of development, including qualification, cultivation, gift solicitations, stewardship, and donor recognition.
• Experience and demonstrated success in raising major gifts of $50,000+ for an institution of higher education, large nonprofit, or similar complex setting

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in intercollegiate athletics
• Experience working through a multi-year fundraising campaign

Working Environment

1. Standard office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate..

Physical Activities

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; some nights and weekends as required; eligible for hybrid work schedule

Application Deadline

For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) December 18, 2023.

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, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran 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; the Americans with Disabilities Act; 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; Equal Pay Act; Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

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