Associate Director of Development

Associate Director of Development, Annual Giving Signature Campaigns

Job No: 497947
Work Type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Denver, CO
Categories: Alumni / Development / Fundraising, Business Operations / Services, Admin / Executive / Office Support, Community Engagement, Advancement

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.

At the University of Denver, we're doing higher education our way: authentic to the Rocky Mountain Wests confident optimism and pragmatic independence. It sets us apart. We're preparing young people to be 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. And we're true to our mission as a top-tier private institution dedicated to making the world a better place - contributing to our communities and making positive change in 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 shared profession.

About Annual Giving
The Annual Giving team resides under the Development team within Advancement and is responsible for filling and retaining a robust pipeline of donors and elevating donor-centric mass marketing to convert to fundraising outcomes. In partnership with central communication, stewardship and academic units, Annual Giving uses a multi-channel, strategically defined segmentation approach to soliciting gifts and communicating to a mass DU audience, utilizing data insights to grow and move donors along a continuum. The Annual Giving team values hard work, accountability, initiative, creativity, solution-oriented problem solving, and collaboration.

Position Summary

The University of Denver is seeking a talented professional to join our Advancement team as the Associate Director of Development, Annual Giving Signature Campaigns. The Associate Director is a part of the Development team within DU Advancement. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Development, Annual Giving, the Associate Director is responsible for building a culture of philanthropy and generosity among University of Denver students, faculty, staff, recent graduates, and alumni.

This position participates in crucial strategy development, implementation and data analysis for a multi-channel, donor-centric communications program, including Direct Mail, E-mail, Crowdfunding and other digital strategies to achieve a shared goal of $1.5-1.8 million. This employee must be a passionate ambassador and self-motivated professional for the University of Denver who is able to innovate in the field of philanthropy.

Essential Functions

This role is primarily responsible for working in collaboration with the Associate Director of Annual Giving Strategic Initiatives and other members of the Annual Giving team to direct, manage, execute, and evaluate all student philanthropy and recent graduate giving initiatives and to support all special and signature campaigns staged by the Annual Giving team. Specifically:

Pipeline Responsibilities

Work with Senior Director to implement strategies that increase pipeline of donors for The Denver Difference campaign (a $1B goal) as well as stabilize and increase donor retention

Signature Campaign Strategic Lead + Execution

Manage the New Anniversary Renewal campaign automated renewals through multi-channel vehicles.

Strategic lead for Calendar Year End campaigns and specific alumni philanthropic campaigns including Reunion and Alumni Weekend giving.

Ideate on and execute strategic plan to leverage crowdfunding as it relates to central Advancement priorities and goals including Giving Tuesday and 1DAY4DU (our annual day of giving).

Key Partner Collaboration

Ongoing Coordination of efforts with Advancement and Campaign Communications and Donor Relations to sync communications and stewardship with solicitations with focus on our newly launched Universal Donor segments.

Participate in quarterly partnership meetings with Athletics, as needed academic unit partner meetings with Annual Giving and/or Leadership Annual Giving Development Officers to share strategy and tactical updates and data or donor insights.

Strategic Committee/Taskforce Participation

Participate and advise on Reunion planning committee to help retain and grow donor pool.

Participate in GiveCampus working group to leverage retention tools like PURLs, recurring giving, and enhanced giving forms.

DU Student Foundation Strategic Lead

Provide strategic oversight to Annual Giving Coordinator who serves as Supervisor to the DU Student Foundation (DUSF) President and Vice President. Provide leadership and guidance to two paid student employees, including but not limited to: strategic planning, curation of educational and volunteer experiences, fiscally responsible budget management and mentorship.

Create and implement New Senior Glass gift to increase student giving and expand the young alumni donor pipeline through the class gift along with DUSF awareness building and education to promote a culture of student philanthropy and engagement.

Data analysis

Analysis: help make data-informed decisions around student philanthropy, young alumni giving and other Annual Giving priority audiences to advance the growth of dollars raised and donors converted/retained.

Project management

Lead project management for all signature campaigns and other Annual Giving special projects as assigned to ensure timely deliverables, budget adherence, and the successful launch of each campaign. Administrative support provided by Annual Giving Coordinator.

Annual Giving Coordinator Supervisor

This role includes a direct report and supervision responsibilities for our Annual Giving Coordinator position (Coordinator is responsible for tactical execution of all Signature Campaigns while Associate Director oversees strategy and project management)

University Citizenship

Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all central and unit-based advancement functions and other campus colleagues to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative fundraising practices.

Model "One DU" thinking

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Outstanding attention to detail and commitment to quality work product and interactions with team members

Ability to think strategically and effectively manage details of several concurrent projects

Demonstrated ability to analyze and use data to optimize strategies

Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances and a commitment to continuous learning

Commitment to self-driven time management and punctuality

Excellent interpersonal skills, including verbal, written and organizational skills

Adept at problem-solving, critical thinking, and using judgment in situations that require sensitivity and tact

Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with development staff and students

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

High level of customer service/account management skills

Understanding of Microsoft Excel and data manipulation

Required Qualifications

We welcome applications from all candidates, including first-generation applicants and individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as veterans, those with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. If you meet the minimum requirements listed below and are enthusiastic about the work, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Bachelors 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 paid fundraising experience, which could include community organizing or campaign roles and management experience (to include direct management of projects or personnel)

Experience planning and executing successful annual giving strategies and campaigns, including multi-channel strategies

Experience raising annual gifts for an institution of higher education or similarly complex non-profit environment

Preferred Qualifications . click apply for full job details