Associate Director of Development, Leadership Annual Giving, College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The University of Denver (DU), a private university, is the oldest independent university in the Rocky Mountain region, with approximately 12,900 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 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 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.

About the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (CAHSS)

The College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (CAHSS) is the University of Denver’s largest and most academically diverse unit, home to two schools, 21 departments, and numerous centers and institutes. With more than 28,000 alumni, CAHSS is a cornerstone of the DU experience—every undergraduate takes courses in the liberal arts, and one-third declares a CAHSS major. The College also offers a range of graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees in areas such as music, art, media and journalism, economics, and psychology, as well as specialized programs like the Denver Publishing Institute and the Center for Judaic Studies.

CAHSS faculty are nationally recognized scholars and artists who bring their research and creative work into the classroom, enriching student learning and advancing the University’s mission to serve the public good through community engagement.

In 2025, Dr. Sahara Byrne was appointed Dean of CAHSS. A scholar of communication and media effects, Dr. Byrne previously served as Senior Associate Dean at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Her research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Science Foundation. As dean, she brings a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, student-centered education, and community impact.

This is an exciting time to join CAHSS, as the College builds on its strong foundation and looks ahead to new strategic opportunities under dynamic leadership.

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Development, Leadership Annual Giving for the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (CAHSS) reports directly to the Executive Director of Development and Alumni Engagement in CAHSS and is part of the Development and Alumni Engagement team in DU Advancement.

The associate director will focus on expanding the unit’s base of philanthropic support through qualification and solicitation of an assigned portfolio of prospects. The focus of this work will be on gifts at the leadership annual giving level ($1,000 - $49,999), prioritizing less restrictive gifts of cash to top philanthropic priorities for the college.

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, disciplined fundraiser who is experienced in new donor acquisition and upgrades. The position will make an important contribution to both the annual giving efforts of the college as well as the pipeline for major gifts. Success in this position will be measured primarily through metrics including qualifications, visits, and dollars raised as well as positive contributions to the team objectives and culture.

Essential Functions

Grow and expand the base of philanthropy

• Manage an active port