Assistant Director of Development, Southeast Region

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.

• Serve as a university generalist and collaborate with unit colleagues to qualify, cultivate, and solicit leadership annual gifts (LAG) and major gifts.
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects toward sustained giving at the leadership annual giving and major gift levels.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 Abilities

• Fundraising Principles & Practices: Possesses basic understanding of fundraising principles and donor engagement.
• Relationship Building: Builds rapport with entry- to mid-level donors.
• Communications: Writes donor correspondence and proposals.
• Strategic 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 management.
• Higher Education Landscape: Understands institutional mission and programs.
• Data Analysis: Uses research to prepare for internal/external meetings.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Works effectively with internal and external constituents. Collaborates effectively with other Advancement teams.
• Leadership: Acts as a team and Advancement ambassador.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., some nights and weekends as required.