Director of Development, Midwest Region

The University of Denver is building an advancement enterprise that mirrors the excellence of our great institution. Advancement efforts at DU have a tremendous impact through our relationships with DU's remarkable students, dedicated donors, inspiring alumni, engaged families, and wonderful friends. DU is committed to building and fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy in support of our institution as we implement the DU IMPACT 2025 vision. As a part of that effort, we are continuing to grow a team of collaborative, curious, results-oriented, and mission-driven advancement professionals who value inclusivity and who possess a deep respect for one another and for our shared profession.

General Summary

The University of Denver is seeking applications for a highly organized, driven, fundraising professional to join our regional advancement team as Director of Development, Midwest Region (based in Chicago, IL), with a primary focus in Chicago and Minneapolis. Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development, the Director of Development, Midwest Region, will work with a community of talented professionals who strive to advance the mission, representing the bold ideas of our faculty and leadership to inspire and build a culture of philanthropy and engagement.

In order for the University of Denver to achieve an ambitious DU IMPACT 2025 vision, it is imperative that we strategically engage and involve the global Pioneer family in the effort of supporting and advancing the University. With over sixty percent of the alumni base living outside of Colorado and thousands of parents and friends across the country, success will partially be dependent upon our ability to build and sustain a cultivation strategy outside of Colorado. The University of Denver has strengthened its global network of Pioneer supporters and ambassadors by establishing a sustainable advancement presence in five key markets across the United States. These regional teams are based in the geographic areas they serve and include a Director of Development, a Director of Engagement, and a part-time Market Fellow. The regional team collaborates closely and frequently with the Denver-based Advancement team, as well as other colleagues across campus. Regional offices are anchored in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, and Washington, DC. Regular travel within the region is expected, along with quarterly travel to Denver.

With a primary focus in their region, the Director of Development will actively build and manage a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects while also partnering with a campus-wide, Denver-based network of academic leaders, fundraising professionals, and other key partners to advance the University's top priorities, as expressed in DU IMPACT 2025. Additionally, the Director of Development will develop and mature their assigned portfolio of major gift prospects through innovative qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities in pursuit of individual and university-wide fundraising goals set annually in collaboration with the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development.

The Director of Development will collaborate with Advancement leadership and senior university administrators to determine and implement institutional fundraising priorities, establish short- and long-term strategies, and monitor progress toward goals. The role will involve designing, developing, delivering, and administering fundraising strategies to grow our success in the region. The Director of Development, along with their regionally-based colleagues, will be a visible and knowledgeable representative for the DU community through their interactions with individuals at events and to partners across the region and in the community.

The University of Denver is unique in its academic portfolio, which boasts both a strong undergraduate experience, as well as highly respected graduate and professional schools. Supporters identify with both the institution as well as specific academic units within it, and the Director of Development must be creative in their approach toward crafting fundraising strategies that emphasize the intersection of those identities. The Director of Development will partner closely with colleagues working within the specific schools, colleges, and units to align fundraising strategies for the region.

The regional advancement team operates in a highly collaborative fashion with their colleagues in academic units and with the entire DU Advancement team.

Essential Functions

Fundraising

• The Director will develop meaningful and productive relationships with a portfolio of major and principal gift donors including alumni, friends and parents.
• This position is responsible for engaging philanthropic support for the University of Denver and will work primarily with major and planned gift donors assigned to their portfolio.
• Collaborate with other development professionals across campus to effectively design and execute gift strategies.

Leadership

• In partnership with the Assistant Vice Chancellor, Development, establish fundraising priorities based on the strategic vision for the campus and the region. Help educate colleagues and peers across campus on those priorities.
• Engage in the advancement goal-setting process for the regions fundraising metrics.
• Effectively and responsibly steward budgetary and other resources to advance the University of Denver.

University & DU Advancement 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 advancement practices.
• Collaborate closely with campus-based advancement colleagues and operate within the established framework of DU Advancement goals and priorities.
• Contribute to team success and model One DU leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to close major gifts ($50,000+) in a relationship-based culture. Alternatively, demonstrated ability to solicit, steward, and close business deals at the same level.
• Demonstrated ability to form and fully leverage cross-functional teams of colleagues, volunteers, and academic/administrative leaders toward closure of transformational gifts.
• Strong written and oral communication skills. Ability to represent the University of Denver, and its major initiatives and units, in a variety of capacities.
• Proven ability to work with a high level of independence, maintain confidentiality, prioritize assignments, and manage time effectively.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills to foster and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, donors, volunteers, and University Officials.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups having competing interests and priorities within the University and community.

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 the degree qualification).
• 5 years of paid fundraising and/or relationship-based sales experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Experience working in a University or similar non-profit environment.
• Prior experience working in a regional model.
• Established knowledge of the University of Denver.

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

Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) on November 11, 2019

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Range:
Salary will be determined by the qualifications of the selected candidate balanced with departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is committed to enhancing the diversity of its faculty and staff. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military/ veteran status or any other status protected by law.

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

Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) on November 11, 2019

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.