Associate Director of Development, Athletics

Job Summary

The Buff Club at the University of Colorado Boulder is seeking two Associate Directors of Development to join our team of 17 members within the Office of Advancement. The primary focus of this role is to increase philanthropic engagement and secure major gifts of $25,000+ for CU Athletics. Responsibilities include identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of donors and traveling regularly to meet with current and prospective supporters.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

• Develop and manage a portfolio of individual prospects capable of making gift commitments of $25K+.
• In partnership with the Senior Director of Development, set annual goals around development work (face‑to‑face meetings, proposals, dollars raised, and collaborative solicitations).
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Development to develop a strategic plan for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding each donor, working with the gift‑planning team, colleagues, and academic partners as appropriate.
• Conduct regular travel to meet donors in pursuit of established goals and metrics.
• Leverage all available University and Athletic Department resources and assets (e.g., tickets, premium seating, parking, event attendance) to identify, cultivate, and solicit fundraising support.
• Document prospect strategies and contact reports, evaluate new prospects, generate stewardship reports, and produce general correspondence to cultivate major‑gift prospects.

• Serve as a fundraising liaison to an assigned sport.
• Grow philanthropic totals by deepening collaboration with Advancement and other campus colleagues to enhance donor engagement.
• Champion a self‑learner approach and continuously look for opportunities to match donor interests with leadership initiatives.
• Facilitate productive relationships between donors and CU administrators, faculty, and staff to ensure program effectiveness.
• Proactively represent CU Athletics at external events to identify prospects and grow the network of support.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, or a combination of education and experience may substitute.
• Experience:
  
  3+ years of professional, job‑related experience in fundraising or a related field.
• Knowledge of fundraising techniques, especially in a higher‑education/nonprofit environment.
• Desire to learn major‑gift solicitation techniques.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to interact with new people regularly.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, adapt to changing priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to take constructive feedback from leadership and campus partners.
• Ability to champion the shared values of the Office of Advancement.
• High degree of tact, discretion, and collaboration when working with diverse constituents (employees, students, volunteers, alumni, donors, and campus colleagues).
• Exceptional relationship‑building skills.
• Growth mindset, resilience, and perseverance.
• Ability to travel regularly and manage fiscal responsibility.
• Active listening skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, donor‑tracking software (Salesforce), Zoom, Teams, Linked In, and Paciolan.
• Experience working in a nonprofit or higher‑education environment.
• Background in fundraising or sales for intercollegiate athletic departments.
• Experience traveling and managing a portfolio locally and nationally.

• This position is based on site at the University of Colorado Boulder.
• Requires local, regional, and out‑of‑state travel to meet donors.
• Will require work on evenings and weekends as needed.

Salary range: $80,000–$90,000 annually. Relocation assistance available within Advancement guidelines.

• Athletic event tickets per Athletic Department policy.
• Nike Elite Employee Benefit per Nike Elite policy.
• Comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans, generous paid time off, tuition assistance for you and dependents, and an ECO Pass for local transit.
• Access to world‑class outdoor recreation and CU Advantage program perks and programs.