Director of Development, Sturm College of Law

Apply now Job no:497020
Work type:Staff Full-Time
Location:Denver, CO
Categories:Advancement
Division: Advancement

About the University of Denver

Founded in 1864, the University of Denver is a private university that empowers students who want to make a difference through the 4D Experience. Recognized as one of the top research universities in the country, DU has more than 300 academic programs serving about 12,000 graduate and undergraduate students. DU students benefit from a transformational experience on two campuses—in the city and in the mountains—that channel their passions to serve the public good.

About DU Advancement

In preparation for the most ambitious philanthropic campaign in the University’s history, the University of Denver is building an advancement enterprise that mirrors the excellence of our great institution. Advancement efforts at DU have a tremendous impact through our relationships with DU’s remarkable students, dedicated donors, inspiring alumni, engaged families, and wonderful friends. DU is committed to building and fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy in support of our institution as we implement the DU IMPACT 2025 vision and prepare for a fundraising campaign with a bold and courageous goal.

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. You can learn more about inclusive excellence at the University of Denver by visiting the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. 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 Sturm College of Law

Founded in 1897, the Sturm College of Law is a national leader in experiential learning and interdisciplinary legal study. Located in one of the nation’s most dynamic and beautiful cities, the Sturm College of Law features a faculty of outstanding and nationally visible scholar-teachers, an accomplished and diverse student body, a highly talented and dedicated staff, and roughly 17,000 alumni who have achieved careers of distinction in law, business, government, public interest, and other professional domains. As Denver’s only law school, the Sturm College of Law benefits from unique access to one of the nation’s most dynamic legal markets.

Position Summary

This position reports directly to the Executive Director of Development of the Sturm College of Law and partners with the Dean of the Sturm College of Law and the broader Advancement Team of the Sturm College of Law. As the University of Denver prepares for an ambitious philanthropic campaign, this position plays a key role in developing and enhancing relationships with major gift prospects and donors, discovering their philanthropic passions, and aligning them with the funding priorities emerging from the Sturm College of Law and the University of Denver. The Director of Development will develop and mature a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors to advance strategic priorities and achieve annual fundraising goals set in collaboration with the Executive Director of Development. The Advancement team is highly collaborative in its work and builds extensive value-added relationships with its campus partners.

Essential Functions

Fundraising

• In support of the priorities of the Sturm College of Law, manage a portfolio of major gift-rated prospects who have the capacity to give at the major gift level ($50,000) through strategic cultivation and stewardship, as measured by efficient and fast-paced moves management techniques.
• In coordination with the Sturm College of Law Advancement team and Prospect Management and Research, identify and qualify major gift prospects for the Sturm College of Law and the University of Denver to strategically assess their philanthropic capacity and inclination.
• Collaborate with other development professionals across campus to effectively design, execute gift strategies, and solicit prospects and donors.
• Travel periodically to meet with donors in key markets across the country and attend periodic evening and weekend events to engage with donors and prospects.

Partnerships & University Citizenship

• Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all academic departments and functions, central and unit-based advancement functions, and other campus colleagues, to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative fundraising practices.
• Model One DU leadership.

Leadership

• As a leader in DU Advancement, provide strategy, guidance, and direction in support of the mission, vision, values, and goals of the University of Denver.
• Engage in the advancement goal-setting process for the Sturm College of Law, including fundraising metrics.
• Effectively and responsibly steward budgetary and other resources to advance the Sturm College of Law and the University of Denver.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and solicit prospects to close major gifts.
• Highly organized and reliable.
• Experience requesting, visiting, and following-up with prospects with consistency and efficiency at a fast pace.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to speak and write effectively and persuasively; draft compelling proposals and letters.
• Proven ability to work with a high level of confidence and independence, to maintain confidentiality, to prioritize assignments, and to manage time effectively.
• Ability to distill complex ideas into easily understood concepts and communicate those ideas effectively.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills that help foster and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, donors, volunteers, and University Officials.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience (Veterans with equivalent combination of military certification/education and experience may substitute for the degree qualification).
• 5 years of paid fundraising experience, working within the full spectrum of development, including qualification, cultivation, gift solicitations, stewardship, and donor recognition.
• Experience and demonstrated success in raising major gifts for an institution of higher education, large nonprofit, or similar complex setting.
• Prior experience in donor management software (for example, Advance or Blackbaud)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a university setting.
• Experience working through a major campaign.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.
• Eligible for hybrid work.

Physical Activities

• Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period.
• Ability to travel periodically.
• Ability to work occasional evening and weekend events.
• 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

Application Deadline

For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) January 8, 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 13.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $80,000-$105,000.

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:

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital 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; Equal Pay Act; 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.