Associate Director, Development, Major Gifts, SCOL

Associate Director Of Development, Major Gifts

The Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts, is a frontline fundraiser responsible for building philanthropic support for the Sturm College of Law and the University of Denver. Reporting to the Executive Director of Development and Alumni Engagement, the Associate Director will join a collaborative and ambitious five-person advancement team connecting donors with the people, programs and ideas that make the law school a powerful force in Denver and beyond.

The Associate Director will build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects; develop and execute strategies to qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors; and raise $500,000-$1,000,000+ annually. The role will place a strong emphasis on qualifying new prospects, creating momentum within the portfolio and developing opportunities for both current and planned gifts.

Working closely with Dean Bruce Smith, faculty and advancement colleagues, the Associate Director will translate academic priorities and community impact into compelling philanthropic opportunities and cases for support. A legal background is not required; success depends on curiosity, strong relationship-building and the ability to connect donor interests with meaningful work. The position will also partner with planned giving colleagues on deferred gifts and gifts of complex assets.

Success will be measured through qualifications, visits, solicitations, and dollars raised.

Essential Functions

• Major Gift Fundraising and Pipeline Development
• Build and manage a portfolio of 100-150 major gift prospects and donors.
• Solicit major gifts, including current-use, endowed and multi-year commitments.
• Raise $500,000-$1,000,000+ annually in support of Sturm and University priorities.
• Leverage Sturm and University campaign priorities to inspire philanthropic investment and move prospects toward meaningful commitments.
• Develop major gift proposals and donor communications tailored to donor interests.
• Identify planned giving opportunities and partner with planned giving colleagues on deferred gifts and gifts of complex assets.

• Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration
• Partner with central and unit-based advancement teams and campus colleagues to coordinate donor engagement and strategy.
• Prepare and staff Dean Bruce Smith and faculty for donor visits.
• Laise with faculty and staff in the college as assigned.

• Operational Excellence
• Ensure accurate and timely entry of contact reports and donor data in the CRM.
• Track and report on key performance indicators, including qualifications, visits, solicitations and dollars raised.
• Manage projects and initiatives in compliance with University policies and procedures.
• Travel within the Colorado Front Range as required for donor visits and events.

Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in annual- and leadership-annual-giving strategies, with a basic understanding of major-gift fundraising.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate donors and solicit gifts of $10,000 or more.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare donor correspondence and craft compelling cases for support.
• Ability to navigate change in donor and team dynamics.
• Sound judgment and the ability to consider the impact of decisions on donors, colleagues and institutional priorities.
• Ability to work closely with a supervisor to build and manage an individual portfolio and achieve personal fundraising goals.
• Understanding of the institution's mission, programs and priorities.
• Ability to coordinate multichannel or concurrent fundraising efforts.
• Ability to interpret data and research to identify and prioritize prospects.
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external constituents and collaborate across Advancement teams.
• Abil…