Director of Development SEHD

Position Details
University of Colorado | Denver
Official Title: Development Senior Professional     
Working Title\: Director of Development (SEHD)
FTE: Full-time 1.0 (100%) FTE | Hybrid 
Salary Range: $90,000-$97,000
Position #00300024 – Requisition #41299
Join the University of Colorado Denver

About the University of Colorado Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We’re the state’s premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top-ranked bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners—at any stage of their life and career—for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state’s largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $665 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.   

*This is a term limited position that is currently funded through June 30th 2029.*

The position will be reviewed by January 2029 to assess financial sustainability. If your term of employment will be concluded based on a lack of funding, you will be provided 30 days’ notice of the term of employment in writing by the University.

Director of Development (SEHD)
The University of Colorado Denver is a leading public urban research university located in the heart of downtown Denver, where academic excellence, innovation and community partnership come together to expand opportunity and strengthen communities. Within this dynamic institution, the School of Education & Human Development is a statewide and national leader in educational quality, access and equity across the lifespan, from birth through higher education. SEHD prepares equity-minded educators, counselors, researchers and leaders who create meaningful change in schools, families and communities across Colorado and beyond. Through innovative academic programs, impactful research and deep community partnerships, the school advances well-being, opportunity and lifelong learning in diverse urban, rural and global communities.

The Director of Development will join SEHD at an important moment of opportunity, building philanthropic partnerships that expand student access, elevate faculty and research, and extend the school’s impact for generations to come.

What you will do:
Job Purpose:
The Director of Development is responsible for leading, developing and executing advancement efforts, which includes developing and managing relationships with gift prospects, and soliciting and stewarding major gifts to maximize philanthropic support for the School of Education & Human Development. Serves as a philanthropic advisor and builds relationships within the School of Education & Human Development to facilitate meaningful connections for donors.

Impact & Influence:
In a centralized Advancement structure with a team of 23 professionals, the Director of Development is a major gift officer who will grow the pipeline of major and principal gift prospects and donors by partnering with university administration, the Vice Chancellor for Advancement, Executive Director, Deans, faculty, and other campus partners and collaborate with Donor Engagement, Advancement Communications, Alumni Engagement, Gift Planning, fellow major gift officers, and colleagues in central Advancement, including Research, Strategy, and Prospect Management. Success in this role requires strong collaboration, strategic management of donor relationships, accountability for fundraising results, and a commitment to ethical, donor-centered fundraising practices.

Key Responsibilities - 80%

• Maximize the philanthropic potential of a portfolio of major gift prospects by soliciting and closing gifts that advance the mission of the university with a portfolio heavily populated but not limited to Alumni, friends, corporations and foundations.
• The portfolio will vacillate based on the rating and research analysis of the best targets for major gift opportunities in service to the university.
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 80-100 prospects, including individuals, corporations, and foundations (SEHD has a long history of heavy corporate, foundation, and gift planning engagement) for gifts of $25,000+.
• Align donor interests with the strategic priorities of the university.
• Analyze prospect research materials to target likely donors of $25,000+.
• Ensure that contact reports are written and entered in a timely manner and utilized to gain the maximum value from future donor engagements.
• Work with Executive Director of Development on developing an annual fundraising operating plan to establish fundraising goals built on portfolio projections and historical fundraising.
• Build fundraising strategies around existing research activities, specifically interdisciplinary societal grand challenges identified by the university.
• In addition to fundraising goals, the Director of Development will be responsible for meeting specific process targets designed to ensure a disciplined approach to building a successful major gift program, such as visits, proposals, and portfolio penetration.

Serve as an Advancement liaison to campus units - 20%

• Creating and implementing fundraising strategies for programs and initiatives that focus on rated targets of $25,000+
• Developing familiarity with campus and unit fundraising priorities 
• Working collaboratively with campus partners and Advancement colleagues to formulate plans for prospect engagement and identifying potential top donors not yet aware of or engaged with the university
• Facilitating interaction between major gift prospects and campus and system leaders and faculty
• other duties as assigned.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications) 
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire. 

• Bachelor’s Degree in nonprofit management, business, marketing or other related field
• Two (2) years of experience in fundraising, alumni/donor relations, or other nonprofit role or equivalent experience in for-profit marketing or project management or directly related field

Substitution\: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis. 

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications) 

• Master’s Degree in a directly related field.
• Five (5) or more years of professional related experience in fundraising in a college or university development program or other comparable charitable organization.
• Experience managing high-level volunteers.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Knowledge of major gift fundraising within a higher education or similar environment.
• Superior relationship building skills.
• Proven success in securing and conducting face to face meetings for major solicitations.
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize, negotiate, and influence effectively.
• Effective interpersonal, strategic planning, administrative and organizational skills.
• Solid judgement and sensitivity to others.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a larger team.
• Familiarity with financial planning, tax and charitable gift laws, and planned giving vehicles and methods.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Ability to cold call.
• Ability to qualify and disqualify. 
• Ability to work with a generalized prospect pool.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and internet navigation tools with proven knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet software, email, internet access software, and CRM.
• Ability to meet metrics and establish goals.
• Maintain excellent records and stay up to date with contact reports, expense reports, and all required internal administrative processes.
• Proven track record of donor engagement to include identification, cultivation, solicitation at > $25,000.
• Ability to create individual donor strategies for solicitation.
• Demonstrates commitment to ethical fundraising practices and effective engagement with various constituencies.

Other Variables:

• Position is highly visible and requires weekends and evenings for attendance at special events, travel, dinners, athletic events, and entertainment. This position requires great flexibility around weekend and evening activities. 
• Shows enthusiasm for urban public higher education mission.
• Must have legal driver’s license.

Conditions of Employment 

• Occasional work during the evening and/or weekends may be required. 
• This position follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office, as needed, based on demands of specific tasks or personal work preferences. Working from the office is encouraged when working on tasks that require a high degree of collaboration. 
• Position is highly visible and requires weekends and evenings for attendance at special events, travel, dinners, athletic events, and entertainment.

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 individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [email protected].

Employment Sponsorship
Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $90,000-$97,000.   

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation. Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line. 

Benefits\: https\://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits Total Compensation Calculator\: http\://www.cu.edu/node/153125 

Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by Oct 16, 2026, 11\:59\:00 PM. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered. 

Required Application Materials:
To apply, please visit\: http\://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:
•    A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications
•    A current CV/resume
•    List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

Questions should be directed to [email protected]. 

Background Check Policy
The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.