Assistant Director of Development, Leadership Annual Giving, Athletics

The University of Denver (DU) is the oldest independent private university in the Rocky Mountain region, serving approximately 11,000 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 communications leadership, we are fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy to support our bold vision for the future.

About DU Athletics

The University of Denver is annually one of the top NCAA Division I-AAA athletic departments in the country, boasting 36 team NCAA Championships in Men’s Ice Hockey, Skiing, and Men’s Lacrosse while sustaining elite-level academic success. The Pioneers have tremendous philanthropic opportunities for annual fund, capital, and endowment fundraising. This position will play a major role contributing to the athletics development team and shaping the future of DU Athletics.

About the Opportunity

As a member of the Athletics Advancement team, this position reports directly to the Executive Director of Development for Athletics (Deputy Athletics Director for Development). This frontline fundraiser plays a key role in the athletics annual fund growth, specifically focused on growing the annual giving and leadership annual giving bands for a more robust pipeline of major gift donors.

The Assistant Director will manage a portfolio of leadership annual giving and major gift-rated prospects, with an emphasis on qualifying new donors, securing gifts of $1,000–$49,999 and developing a pipeline for future major gifts. The position will use email, phone, events and visits to deepen relationships and connect donor interests with philanthropic priorities across DU Athletics’ 18 varsity sport programs, capital projects, endowments and scholarships.

Success will require persistence, strong judgment and comfort working at significant volume. Performance will be measured primarily through donor qualifications, visits, leadership annual giving upgrades and acquisition, and pipeline growth. The Assistant Director will also identify major and planned giving opportunities and partner with colleagues to develop and execute strategies and proposals for these prospects.

As a member of the Athletics Advancement team, this position reports directly to the Executive Director of Development for Athletics (Deputy Athletics Director for Development). This frontline fundraiser plays a key role in the athletics annual fund growth, specifically focused on growing the annual giving and leadership annual giving bands for a more robust pipeline of major gift donors.

The Assistant Director will manage a portfolio of leadership annual giving and major gift-rated prospects, with an emphasis on qualifying new donors, securing gifts of $1,000–$49,999 and developing a pipeline for future major gifts. The position will use email, phone, events and visits to deepen relationships and connect donor interests with philanthropic priorities across DU Athletics’ 18 varsity sport programs, capital projects, endowments and scholarships.

Success will require persistence, strong judgment and comfort working at significant volume. Performance will be measured primarily through donor qualifications, visits, leadership annual giving upgrades and acquisition, and pipeline growth. The Assistant Director will also identify major and planned giving opportunities and partner with colleagues to develop and execute strategies and proposals for these prospects.

Frontline Fundraising and Pipeline Development 

• Partner with colleagues to design and implement strategies to identify, qualify and cultivate donors and prospects.
• Manage a portfolio of 100-200 leadership annual giving and major gift-rated prospects to build the donor pipeline.
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects in support of leadership annual giving and future major gifts.
• Solicit leadership annual gifts ranging from $1,000 to $49,999 through personalized and multichannel approaches.
• Identify opportunities for major and planned gifts and partner with major gift and planned giving colleagues to develop and execute strategies and proposals.
• Serve as a development liaison to assigned sport programs and key initiatives, helping connect priorities with donor interests and fundraising opportunities.

Athletics Annual Giving Program 

• Oversee the strategy of the Athletics annual giving program, including coordinating closely with University Advancement colleagues and athletics ticket office
• Develop annual fund strategy and calendar in conjunction with the Executive Director of Development for Athletics that includes direct mail solicitations, online campaigns and any other annual campaign activities.

Operational Excellence 

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions and contact reports in the CRM system.
• Track and report on qualifications, visits, solicitations and dollars raised.
• Manage projects and initiatives in alignment with University policies and advancement best practices.
• Travel the front range and nationally to deepen DU connections with prospects in partnership with colleagues, when appropriate.

• Basic knowledge of fundraising principles and donor-engagement practices.
• Ability to build rapport with entry- to mid-level donors.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare donor correspondence and mass solicitations.
• Ability to adjust to shifting priorities and incorporate feedback.
• Sound judgment and the ability to consider the impact of decisions on donors, colleagues and institutional priorities.
• Ability to work closely with a supervisor to develop effective portfolio-outreach and prospect-management strategies.
• Understanding of the institution’s mission, programs and priorities.
• Ability to coordinate small annual-giving campaigns or events.
• Ability to analyze data for mass solicitations and use research to prepare for internal and external meetings.
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external constituents and collaborate across Advancement and Athletics teams.
• Ability to serve as a positive ambassador for the team and Advancement.

• Bachelor’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 at least 1 year of donor, constituent relations, or relationship-based sales experience.

• Demonstrated experience closing annual gifts of up to $5,000
• Fundraising experience in higher education or similarly complex non-profit or for-profit environment

Advertised: September 16, 2026
Applications close: October 05, 2026

• Standard open office environment
• Noise level is quiet to moderate
• Eligible for hybrid work
• Ability to travel to meet with donors regularly
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends

• Ability to use a computer for an extended period
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs. with assistance