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

Job no: 499038
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Denver, CO
Categories: Alumni / Development / Fundraising, Business Operations / Services, Advancement
Division: Advancement

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.

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.

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.

• 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…