Director of Development, Parent & Family Giving and Student Experience

About the University of Denver

The University of Denver (DU), a private university, is the oldest independent university in the Rocky Mountain region, with approximately 12,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. DU is classified as an R1: Doctoral University.

At the University of Denver, we’re doing higher education our way: authentic to the Rocky Mountain Wests confident optimism and pragmatic independence. It sets us apart. We’re preparing young people to be 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. And we’re true to our mission as a top-tier private R-1 institution dedicated to making the world a better place – contributing to our communities and making positive change in the world.

About DU Advancement

The Denver Difference campaign is our most ambitious campaign yet. It marks a dramatic shift in conventional thinking about what the university experience can and should be. DU is setting the bar with our approach to higher education, developing and preparing students to be successful in life in every way. The University of Denver is building an advancement enterprise that mirrors the excellence and innovation of our great institution. Inclusive of alumni engagement, development, operations, and campaign leadership, DU Advancement is building and fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy in support of our bold vision.

About the Parent & Family Giving and Student Experience Team

Rooted in the University’s mission, DU’s Development & Alumni Engagement team drives engagement and philanthropy that advance the University of Denver’s bold aspirations. The team plays a central role in The Denver Difference campaign by building meaningful connections with constituents who find purpose and impact through their support and involvement with DU.

Within this division, development professionals secure philanthropic support for initiatives that define and elevate DU. The Parent & Family Giving and Student Experience team leads relationships with high-capacity DU parents, focusing on campuswide priorities including the 4D Experience, the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus, and undergraduate scholarships. Through personalized cultivation and a deep understanding of the student journey, the team inspires generosity that fuels DU’s mission, ensuring each gift makes a lasting difference in the lives of students and the future of the University.

Position Summary

The Director of Development, Parent & Family Giving and Student Experience reports to the Senior Director of Development, PFG&SA. The role is responsible for cultivating and soliciting major and leadership gifts in Colorado and select regions, with a focus on parents and student experience priorities. The Director will develop and mature their assigned portfolio of donors while partnering with institutional leaders, fundraising professionals, and key stakeholders, managing top prospects to meet annual fundraising goals set with the Senior Director.

This highly collaborative position requires strong relationship-building skills and the ability to design and implement tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies, as well as foster extensive value-added relationships with Advancement colleagues and campus partners . The Director must effectively engage new constituents and steward early-stage gifts toward major commitments. Performance metrics include donor visits, new major-gift qualifications, solicitations, and dollars raised.

The ideal candidate brings the strategic mindset, persistence, and professionalism needed to drive philanthropic outcomes in a mission-driven environment.

Required Qualifications

• 7 years of professional experience, including 5 years of direct fundraising experience
• Demonstrated experience closing gifts at the leadership annual giving ($1,000+) and major gifts ($50,000+) level

Preferred Qualifications

• Fundraising experience in higher education or a similarly complex nonprofit environment

The role involves regular (e.g. 8-10 times per year) out-of-state travel, occasional evening and weekend work, is based in Denver, and is eligible for hybrid work.

Essential Functions

Fundraising Activities & Outcomes 

• Develop and execute complex fundraising strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects
• Manage a portfolio of donors with capacity to make gifts of $50,000+.
• Leverage campaign priorities and university initiatives to inspire philanthropic investme