Assistant Director of Development, Regional Leadership Annual Giving

Assistant Director of DevelopmentThe 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.With a focus on the Greater Denver region, 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 but will concentrate efforts on alumni and prospects from specific academic units (including, but not limited to, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Morgridge College of Education, Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science, and the College of Professional Studies.) This position will report directly to the Senior Director of Development, Regional and will be based in Denver. 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 level. The key performance indicators for this position will be strategic qualifications, visits, LAG solicitations, dollars raised, and retention of donors within unit LAG gift bands. 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'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.Essential FunctionsPipeline 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.Liaise with development colleagues to identify and communicate campaign priorities to prospects in the following academic units: MCE, PSC, RSECS, and NSM.Retain donors within unit LAG gift bands.Programmatic Responsibilities: Engagement, stewardship, and donor experience activities.Support the planning and execution of donor engagement events and cultivation activities.Provide support to advisory boards and volunteer groups 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 initiatives in alignment with university policies and advancement best practices.Travel to assigned area(s) to deepen DU connections with prospects. Conduct travel in accordance with university policies.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesFundraising Principles & Practices: Possesses basic understanding of fundraising principles and donor engagementRelationship Building: Builds rapport with entry- to mid-level donorsCommunications: Writes donor correspondence and mass solicitationsStrategic Thinking: Adjusts to shifting priorities and feedback. Applies sound judgment when making decisions and considering the impact on donors, colleagues, and institutional priorities.Portfolio Management: Works closely with supervisor to devise effective strategies for portfolio outreach and prospect managementHigher Education Landscape: Understands institutional mission and programsCampaign Experience: Coordinates small annual giving campaigns or eventsData Analysis: Analyze data effectively for mass solicitations and/or Uses research to prepare for internal/external meetingsCollaboration & Teamwork: Works effectively with internal and external constituents. Collaborates effectively with other Advancement teamsLeadership: Acts as a team and Advancement ambassadorRequired QualificationsBachelor'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)3 years of professional experience including 1 year of advancement work. donor or constituent relations or relationship-based sales experiencePreferred QualificationsDemonstrated experience closing annual gifts (up to $5,000)Fundraising experience in higher education or similarly complex non-profit environmentWorking EnvironmentStandard open office environmentNoise level is quiet to moderateSome night and weekend event attendanceSignificant local travel responsibilities, primarily in Denver and between Colorado Springs and Fort CollinsEligible for hybrid workPhysical ActivitiesAbility to use a computer