Associate Director, Gift Agreements & Compliance

About the University of Denver

The University of Denver is a private institution dedicated to the public good. Here, we create a better future for all.

Through the 4D Experience, our community members build skills, knowledge and perspective at our campuses nestled in the vibrant city of Denver and the Rocky Mountains. As globally-minded citizens, we strive to make a difference in the world and create real, lasting change through collaborations and cutting-edge research designed to solve real-world challenges. For over 150 years, DU has offered a multitude of disciplines, majors and degrees designed to prepare students for lives and careers of purpose.

About DU Advancement

The Denver Difference campaign is our most ambitious 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 relations, development, and student and alumni career services, DU Advancement is building and fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy in support of our bold vision.

The University of Denver and DU Advancement deeply value inclusive excellence, recognizing that its success is dependent on how well it values, engages, and includes the rich diversity of constituents. As a part of that effort, we are continuing to grow a team of inclusive, collaborative, inquisitive, innovative, ethical, and transparent advancement professionals who possess deep mutual respect for one another and for our shared profession.

Position Summary

The department of Gift Administration and Records Management (GARM) is a key support component to the success of the broader Advancement unit. The GARM team works closely with Advancement Operations, development officers and other Advancement team members, partners in the Controller’s office, Internal Audit, external auditors, and other University units to manage donations to the University of Denver, ensure entry and quality, and maintain the database used to solicit and communicate with the constituent population.

The Associate Director, Gift Agreements and Compliance will play a key leadership role in managing and ensuring compliance in the gift agreement process. This position is responsible for leveraging strong relationships with frontline fundraisers and leaders to drive the creation of gift agreements, new fund designations, pledges, and bequests while ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations. The Associate Director will serve as a subject matter expert for policy-related inquiries and will also contribute to process improvements and audit fulfillment.

Essential Functions

Gift Agreement Management

• Conceptualize and drive the ongoing development and refinement of gift agreement processes and materials, identifying opportunities for innovation and ensuring best practices are adopted across the organization.
• Lead the drafting, reviewing, revising, and execution of gift agreements, reflecting donor intent and ensuring compliance with policy, IRS rules and regulations, and organizational standards.
• Serve as a trusted resource for questions regarding gift policies, providing guidance to internal teams to ensure adherence to all policies and regulations.

Fund and Pledge Management

• Oversee the creation of new fund designations in the Advancement CRM and collaborate with development and unit partners by assisting in the facilitation of the University Finance fund creation workflow process.
• Supervise the entry and tracking of complex pledges and bequests in the CRM, ensuring accuracy and timely processing.
• Lead the process for sending pledge reminders, overseeing communication with development officers, fulfilling ad hoc requests, analyzing pledge reminder process and implementing improvements.
• Maintain gift holding account, ensuring that all transactions are accurately tracked and properly allocated in alignment with donor intent.
• Assist in audit tasks, including conducting gift agreement research and ensuring the organization is prepared for audits by providing necessary documentation and data.

Partnerships & University Citizenship

• Collaborate with the Office of Sponsored Research to ensure philanthropic commitments are regularly reviewed, entered into Advancement CRM and reconciled.
• Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all central and unit-based Advancement staff and other campus colleagues, to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative career