Associate Director of Development, Annual Giving Signature Campaigns

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 12,900 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 depends 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 Annual Giving
The Annual Giving team resides under the Development team within Advancement and is responsible for filling and retaining a robust pipeline of donors and elevating donor-centric mass marketing to convert to fundraising outcomes. In partnership with central communication, stewardship and academic units, Annual Giving uses a multi-channel, strategically defined segmentation approach to soliciting gifts and communicating to a mass DU audience, utilizing data insights to grow and move donors along a continuum. The Annual Giving team values hard work, accountability, initiative, creativity, solution-oriented problem solving, and collaboration.

Position Summary

The University of Denver is seeking a talented professional to join our Advancement team as the Associate Director of Development, Annual Giving Signature Campaigns. The Associate Director is a part of the Development team within DU Advancement. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Development, Annual Giving, the Associate Director is responsible for building a culture of philanthropy and generosity among University of Denver students, faculty, staff, recent graduates, and alumni.

This position participates in crucial strategy development, implementation and data analysis for a multi-channel, donor-centric communications program, including Direct Mail, E-mail, Crowdfunding and other digital strategies to achieve a shared goal of $1.5-1.8 million. This employee must be a passionate ambassador and self-motivated professional for the University of Denver who is able to innovate in the field of philanthropy.

Essential Functions

This role is primarily responsible for working in collaboration with the Associate Director of Annual Giving Strategic Initiatives and other members of the Annual Giving team to direct, manage, execute, and evaluate all student philanthropy and recent graduate giving initiatives and to support all special and signature campaigns staged by the Annual Giving team. Specifically:

Pipeline Responsibilities

• Work with Senior Director to implement strategies that increase pipeline of donors for The Denver Difference campaign (a $1B goal) as well as stabilize and increase donor retention

Signature Campaign Strategic Lead + Execution

• Manage the New Anniversary Renewal campaign automated renewals through multi-channel vehicles.
• Strategic lead for Calendar Year End campaigns and specific alumni philanthropic campaigns including Reunion and Alumni Weekend giving.
• Ideate on and execute strategic plan to leverage crowdfunding as it relates to central Advancement priorities and goals including Giving Tuesday and 1DAY4DU (our annual day of giving).

Key Partner Collaboration

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