Assistant Director of Development, Leadership Annual Giving Education, Social Work and Professional Psychology

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.

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.

Three of the University of Denver's leading professional schools - the Morgridge College of Education, the Graduate School of Social Work and the Graduate School of Professional Psychology - prepare professionals and scholars dedicated to helping people learn, develop, heal and thrive. DU Is bringing these disciplines together in a new college that recognizes the close relationship among learning, mental health and human development.

These professions are often called upon to address society’s most complex challenges together. The new college will create greater opportunities for interdisciplinary education, research, practice and community impact while preserving the distinctive strengths of each discipline. It will take shape during 2026–27, with a founding dean expected to begin in January 2027.

At the heart of the new college is work that improves human lives. Signature initiatives show the range of impact philanthropy can advance: the Institute for Human-Animal Connection promotes the well-being of people, animals and the environment; the Butler Institute for Families strengthens systems serving children and families; the Sturm Center provides behavioral health services for Veterans, Service Members and their families; and the Marsico Institute for Early Learning advances research, practice and learning for young children. A planned integrated on-campus clinic will create a clearer entry point for community mental health services and expand interprofessional learning. For Advancement, this is a meaningful opportunity to introduce donors to this work, build support for emerging priorities and help shape a new college at a defining moment.

The Assistant Director of Development will build the donor pipeline and expand philanthropic support for the new integrated college. Reporting to the Executive Director of Development and Alumni Engagement, this frontline fundraiser will join an experienced, long-tenured team and focus on proactive, high-volume donor outreach across all three disciplines.

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 the three disciplines.

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 faculty members and key initiatives, helping connect priorities with donor interests and fundraising opportunities.

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 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 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 28, 2026
Applications close: October 19, 2026

• Standard open office environment
• Noise level is quiet to moderate
• Eligible for hybrid work
• Limited travel responsibilities to meet with donors
• 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