Executive Director of Development, DCB

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 of Colorado.

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 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.

In April 2024, we launched DU’s most ambitious campaign yet: The Denver Difference. As we seek to raise $1B in support of DU’s top priorities, this campaign 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 and DU Advancement deeply value inclusive excellence, recognizing that its success is dependent 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 the Daniels College of Business

The Daniels College of Business is the destination for a high- quality, business education in Denver, Colorado, and the Rocky Mountain Region. Daniels is known for innovative programming across business disciplines and is nationally recognized as a leader in providing an immersive and engaged business education for its students.

One of the largest degree-granting colleges at the University of Denver, Daniels currently enrolls around 2,300 students, divided between graduate, undergraduate, and dual undergraduate/graduate programs spanning four schools: the Reiman School of Finance, the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management, the School of Accountancy, and the Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management as well as the departments of Business Ethics and Legal Studies, Marketing, Management, and Business Information and Analytics. The College is also home to several innovative centers and programs including Entrepreneurship@DU, the Liniger Center on Franchising, Leadership in the Outdoor Industry (LORI), the Sales Leadership Center (SLC), the Bailey Program for Family Enterprise, and the Consumer Insights and Business Innovation Center (CiBiC), among others.

About Dean Naomi Boyd

Naomi Boyd, PhD, joined the University of Denver as the 24th dean of the Daniels College of Business on July 1, 2024. She is a seasoned leader with a diverse background spanning industry, government and academia, and is dedicated to shaping the next generation of socially responsible business leaders, equipping them with cutting-edge skills and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Boyd’s commitment to philanthropy and community engagement revitalized fundraising efforts at her previous institutions, resulting in record-breaking contributions and impactful industry collaborations. Her leadership extends beyond academia; her initiatives have driven regional economic development and accelerated economic growth, through innovative startup ventures and financial literacy programs for individuals and small businesses.

Previously, Boyd served as the seventh dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Business, where she spearheaded a transformative vision for business education. At VCU she launched two unique, innovative, corporate-sponsored student experiences-the Robinhood ETF Fellows Program and the Markel IR Fellow-that enabled students to work hand in hand with industry executives on impactful projects. Prior to her tenure at VCU, Boyd spent 14 years in pivotal roles at West Virginia University (WVU). She holds a PhD in Finance from George Washington University, MBA from Texas Tech University, and BFA in Dance from The University of Texas at Austin.

Position Summary

The University of Denver is seeking an experienced, driven, and energetic fundraiser to lead the fundraising efforts and development team for the Daniels College of Business. The Executive Director of Development will serve as the chief development officer for the college, focusing on cultivation and solicitation of individual prospects with capacity to make gifts of $1M+. The Executive Director of Development will also serve as team lead for a seasoned team of four frontline fundraisers including a Senior Director of Development for major gifts, two Directors of Development for major gifts, and a Director of Development for Annual Giving; the team also includes a part-time coordinator.

Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development, Schools & Colleges, the Executive Director of Development works closely and collaboratively with the Dean of Daniels College of Business as well as academic leaders, faculty and staff in the college. While the focus of this role is on securing major and principal gifts from individual donors, the Executive Director will also partner with central advancement functions in Foundation Relations, Annual Giving, and Gift Planning, among others. DU Advancement uses a shared-credit model to reinforce collaboration and maximize gift size and impact.

The successful candidate will be highly collaborative, motivated, and skilled at moving donors and prospects efficiently through cultivation cycle to solicitation and crafting compelling proposals for support. The Executive Director is expected to become knowledgeable about the unique programs in the Daniels College of Business and serve as the primary content expert for Daniels in Advancement. Key performance indicators for this position include major gift qualifications, visits, major gift solicitations, dollars raised, and team success.

Essential Functions

Fundraising

• Cultivate and solicit gifts at the principal, leadership, and high major gift levels with a focus on prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $1M+. The annual individual fundraising goal is expected to be $5M+ with oversight of an academic unit goal of $10-15M.
• Typical performance metrics also include face-to-face visits, major gift solicitations, and qualification activities.
• Identify and qualify major gift rated alumni of the Daniels College of Business with a focus on donor-centric approaches and maximizing gift size and impact to the University of Denver.
• Manage a portfolio of the top 50-75 prospects for the Daniels College of Business using fast-paced moves management techniques.
• Solicit managed prospects for annual gifts as appropriate.
• When appropriate, leverage volunteers to facilitate strategic development activities.

Campaign

• Partner closely with the dean and academic leaders in the Daniels College of Business to articulate a compelling vision for philanthropic investment including a framework for philanthropic initiatives that will inspire philanthropy over the course of a comprehensive campaign.
• Craft multi-year donor strategies to achieve the philanthropic goals of the campaign.
• Partner with stakeholders across campus on fundraising strategies for interdisciplinary campaign initiatives that involve Daniels.

Leadership

• Lead development activities for the Daniels College of Business serving as the chief fundraiser and an active partner to the dean.
• Manage and coach a team of four full-time professional fundraisers and one part-time coordinator driving productivity through a supportive and accountability-based team culture.
• Actively contribute to campus-wide strategies for Daniels prospects as a team member partnering with the Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement and principal gifts team as well as colleagues in central fundraising units.
• Participate in group strategy discussions, provide project leadership, and share information with colleagues to achieve the overall goals of Daniels.
• Engage in Advancement goal-setting processes for academic unit and individual performance.
• Effectively and responsibly steward budgetary and other resources.

Partnerships & 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” leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated track record of closing major gifts ($50,000) through principal gifts ($1M+) in a high-volume fundraising environment.
• Experience strategically managing a portfolio of donors through efficient moves management techniques.
• Strong writing, editing and verbal communication skills. Ability to represent the University of Denver in a variety of capacities, including its major initiatives and units.
• 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.
• Fluency in data management and analysis.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• 7 years of paid fundraising experience, working within the full spectrum of development, including cultivation, gift solicitations, stewardship, and donor recognition.
• Experience closing major ($50K+) and principal gifts ($1M+).
• Experience directly staffing a dean (or equivalent unit-specific leader) in a complex organization.
• Supervisory experience of fundraisers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a University setting or similarly complex non-profit environment.
• Experience staffing the Dean of an academic unit.
• Management of philanthropic volunteers, including volunteer boards/committees.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.
• Some nights and weekend event attendance.

Physical Activities

• Ability to sit in front of 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.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; some nights and weekends as required. Eligible for hybrid work. Travel responsibilities to meet with donors.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) September 11, 2024.

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

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 16.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $150,000-$170,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver .

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

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver’s Non-Discrimination Statement .

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

Advertised: August 02, 2024
Applications close: September 11, 2024