Assistant Director of Development, Southeast Region
Job No: 498707
Work Type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Denver, CO
Categories: Alumni / Development / Fundraising, Business Operations / Services, Admin / Executive / Office Support, Advancement
About the University of Denver
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.
About DU Advancement
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.
About the Regional Team
The Regional Development team at the University of Denver is part of central development, which includes Annual Giving, Gift Planning, and Foundation Relations. Regional Development works collaboratively and transparently across campus, coordinating closely with both unit based and central fundraising partners to build and sustain strong external relationships with donors and to identify new philanthropic opportunities within the regions served.
The team includes roles focused on cultivating philanthropic relationships across the Southeast and Front Range regions, and is led by the Senior Director of Development, who provides strategic leadership for regional fundraising efforts while also overseeing the West Coast region and the University's Undergraduate Scholarships fundraising priority.
Position Summary
With a focus on the Southeast region, primarily Florida and Texas, of the United States, where there is a high concentration of prospects, the Assistant Director of Development will be dedicated to helping DU grow and expand its philanthropic base of support. The Assistant Director will serve as a university generalist and will collaborate closely with unit colleagues to qualify, cultivate, and solicit leadership annual gifts (LAG) and major gifts.
As part of a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative team supporting DU's top priorities in the region, the Assistant Director of Development will serve in a highly outbound capacity. They will have a heavy focus on qualification and retention of leadership annual giving prospects through solicitations of gifts in the $1,000-$50,000 (mid-range) annually, to confirm their philanthropic interest in DU. The ultimate goal is to grow the university's major gift pipeline through a donor centered approach. The Assistant Director will qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects toward sustained giving at the leadership annual giving and major gift levels. The key performance indicators for this position will be strategic qualifications, visits, LAG solicitations, major gift solicitations, and dollars raised.
In addition, they will be deeply involved in the growth and expansion of DU's donor base across the university. The University of Denver is unique in its academic portfolio, which boasts both strong undergraduate programs and experiences, as well as highly respected graduate and professional programs. Alumni identify with DU as well as with specific academic units, and the Assistant Director of Development must be creative in their strategic approach with prospects to emphasize the intersection of those identities. This position will partner closely with colleagues working within specific schools, colleges, and units to align strategies for regional constituents.
The ideal candidate is an early- to mid-career advancement professional who is motivated by relationship-building and donor engagement. They bring a strong foundation in constituent relations, development, or relationship-based sales, along with the ability to contribute meaningfully to fundraising efforts within a collaborative and mission-driven environment.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience. Veterans with an equivalent combination of military certification, education, and experience may substitute for this requirement.
Three (3) years of professional experience, including at least one (1) year of experience in advancement work, donor or constituent relations, or relationship-based sales.
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated experience successfully closing annual gifts up to $5,000.
Fundraising experience in higher education or a similarly complex nonprofit environment.
This position will report directly to the Senior Director of Development, Regional Development and Scholarships and will be based in Denver. The position is eligible for hybrid work in accordance with University and HR guidelines. This position requires regular travel within the Southeast region, with an expectation of approximately 8-12 trips per year, as well as occasional evening or weekend availability to support donor engagement and University events.
Essential Functions
Pipeline Building: Activities focused on identifying, qualifying, and cultivating prospects to grow the donor base.
Partner with colleagues to design and implement strategies to identify, qualify, and cultivate donors and prospects.
Manage a portfolio of leadership annual giving prospects to build the donor pipeline.
Collaborate with academic and unit partners to align outreach strategies with institutional priorities.
Assist in identifying and qualifying prospects for major gifts.
Facilitate the strategic transition of qualified prospects to appropriate development officers for continued cultivation.
Fundraising: Direct solicitation and campaign-related activities.
Solicit leadership annual gifts ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 through personalized and multichannel approaches.
Qualify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects ($50K+) in coordination with unit major gift officers and supervisor.
Liaise with development colleagues to identify and communicate campaign priorities to prospects from across DU.
Programmatic Responsibilities: Engagement, stewardship, and donor experience activities.
Support the planning and execution of donor engagement events and cultivation activities.
Partner with alumni engagement colleagues to recruit volunteers for university and school/college based opportunities to deepen constituent involvement.
Operational Excellence: Project management, reporting, and internal coordination.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions and contact reports in the CRM system.
Manage projects and initiativ
