Director of Development

About the Role

The Director of Development is a strategic leader responsible for cultivating and strengthening philanthropic relationships to advance the organization's mission, with a focus on the College of Nursing. This role serves as a thought partner for the Dean of the College for all fundraising efforts, working with faculty, staff, alumni, board members, community leaders, and third-party organizations to create experiences that cultivate annual, major, and principal gifts.

Responsibilities

• Philanthropic Strategy (30%)
  • Develop and implement strategic plans for engaging the community and stakeholders in philanthropic support of the College of Nursing, including individual donor cultivation, expanding the donor base, foundation relations, and corporate partnerships.
  • Serve as a strategic advisor to the Dean of the College of Nursing in developing a robust community of potential supporters.
  • Partner with faculty to increase philanthropic support for programs and centers within the College.
  • Develop a multi-year fundraising operating plan based on portfolio projections, historical fundraising, and prospective donor analysis.
  • Maintain a deep understanding of institutional priorities, academic programs, and centers of excellence to translate these into compelling funding opportunities.
• Fundraising (50%)
  • Major and Principal Gift Fundraising (30%)
    • Lead all major and principal gift efforts, ensuring a positive philanthropic experience for current and potential benefactors.
    • Cultivate and maintain relationships with key philanthropic partners, aligning them with the organization’s vision.
    • Develop event concepts, messaging, and marketing strategies to maximize donor engagement.
    • Engage high-profile individuals and community leaders as event hosts, chairs, and ambassadors to leverage their networks.
    • Analyze event outcomes and campaign performance to inform future strategies.
    • Facilitate productive relationships between benefactors and College administrators, faculty, and staff.
  • Annual Giving Fundraising (20%)
    • Maximize annual giving donations and support pathways for future major and principal gifts.
    • Direct the development of annual giving campaigns, including messaging and marketing strategies.
    • Analyze the effectiveness of annual giving efforts.
• Development Operations (20%)
  • Expand and maintain expertise on philanthropic opportunities within the College of Nursing.
  • Serve as the main point of contact between the College of Nursing and the Office of Advancement, providing high-level customer service on development-related inquiries.
  • Manage processes for accurate reporting, gift stewardship, and faculty support on development efforts.
  • Oversee projects from conception to completion, including continuous evaluation and improvement of strategies.
  • Monitor and analyze fundraising data to identify areas of improvement and support strategy development.
  • Support generalist gift officers on opportunities within the College.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Minimum of 3 years of professional fundraising experience or related fields (e.g., nonprofit administration, public affairs, or business development), including managing funding relationships with individuals, corporations, or foundations.
  • A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may substitute for a bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • 4 years of leadership experience in community engagement, development, or related fields, with a proven track record in board development, strategic partnerships, and major/principal fundraising success.
  • Minimum of 5 years of successful professional fundraising experience or related fields.
  • Master’s degree in business administration, public relations, management, communications, or similar fields.

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrated experience fostering a community that values diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and donor tracking software.
• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and mobilize diverse groups.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and the ability to implement high-impact engagement strategies.
• Excellent negotiation and presentation skills, with experience in high-level partnership development.
• Knowledge of trends in community engagement, fundraising, and nonprofit management.
• Strong development skills, including comfort with cold calling, leading one-on-one visits, and utilizing multiple communication modes.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a metrics-driven environment.
• Ability to handle sensitive information discreetly and maintain confidentiality.
• Flexibility and adaptability to evolve in a changing environment.
• Proven ability to foster and build relationships internally and externally.

Benefits

• Medical and Dental: Multiple plan options.
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision.
• Retirement Plan: 401(a) with a 10% employer contribution based on gross pay.
• Paid Time Off:
  • Vacation: 22 days per year (maximum accrual of 352 hours).
  • Sick Leave: 15 days per year (unlimited accrual).
  • Holidays: 15 days per year.
• Tuition Benefit: Accessible on all CU campuses.
• ECO Pass: Reduced-rate RTD bus and light rail service.
• Additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is $103,497 - $108,000. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level. Total compensation includes generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions.

Schedule

• Hybrid schedule: 3 days per week on campus, with additional in-person meetings as needed.
• Flexibility in hours required, including evenings and weekends for events and meetings.
• National travel may be required for partnership development, fundraising events, and conferences.

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.
• No work visa sponsorship or employment authorization will be provided for this position now or in the future.