Shire Jobs

About the University of Denver

The University of Denver (DU), a private university, is the oldest independent university in the Rocky Mountain region, with approximately 12,900 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. DU is classified as an R1: Doctoral University - very high research activity as a Doctoral/Research University. Financial Times Higher Education, U.S. News, and The Princeton Review have consistently ranked DU among the nation's top 100 universities and among the top three universities in the state

The University of Denver embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that define our region and our history. With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21st-century education, and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, we open a world of opportunity to students and empower Pioneers to make a difference around the world.

About DU Advancement

The Denver Difference campaign is our most ambitious yet. It marks a dramatic shift in conventional thinking about what the university experience can and should be. DU is setting the bar with our approach to higher education, developing and preparing students to be successful in life in every way. The University of Denver is building an advancement enterprise that mirrors the excellence and innovation of our great institution. Inclusive of alumni relations, development, and student and alumni career services, DU Advancement is building and fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy in support of our bold vision.

The University of Denver and DU Advancement deeply value inclusive excellence, recognizing that its success depends on how well it values, engages, and includes the rich diversity of constituents. As a part of that effort, we are continuing to grow a team of inclusive, collaborative, inquisitive, innovative, ethical, and transparent advancement professionals who possess deep mutual respect for one another and for our share

About Regional Development

The Regional Development team is one of four central teams within Development at DU. Led by the Senior Director of Development, who in addition to leading the team, manages a portfolio along the west coast of the United States, the team is comprised of a Director of Development - East Coast, an Associate Director of Development - Midwest, and an Associate Director of Development - Front Range. The team works collaboratively and transparently with our other central, academic, and athletic fundraising colleagues to create robust relationships with potential donors across the country.

Position Summary

With a focus on the East Coast region, where there is a high concentration of prospects, the Director of Development will be dedicated to helping DU grow and expand its philanthropic base of support from major gift prospects aligned with DU's top priorities. 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 Director of Development will serve in a highly outbound capacity. They will have a heavy focus (90%) on qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of major gift prospects through initial solicitations of gifts in the $1,000-$50,000 (leadership annual giving 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 key performance indicators for this position will be strategic qualifications, visits, solicitations, dollars raised, execution of major gift prospect strategies and solicitations. While the focus of this role is working with individual prospects and donors, the Director of Development will also work in partnership with the Director of Regional Engagement and the Campaign team to support (10%) campaign programming and volunteer management.

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 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 the specific schools, colleges, and units to align strategies for regional cons

Essential Functions

Grow and expand the base of philanthropy:

• Plan, design, implement, and evaluate strategies to successfully identify and qualify major gift prospects.
• Utilize leadership annual gift solicitations to determine major gift willingness and capacity, by cultivating and soliciting prospects for gifts between $1,000 - $50,000 (typically annually). Solicitations may be multichannel, as well as multi-year pledges.
• Build and manage a portfolio of prospects who have the capacity and affinity to contribute to DU at the major gift level during the course of the campaign and beyond.
• This position represents the breadth of DU and will focus on building partnerships along the east coast of the United States of America.
• Metrics may include number of visits, major gift and leadership annual