About the University of Denver
Located where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, the University of Denver embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that define our region and our history. DU is a private institution built on exploration through research and collaboration among educators, students, and local and global communities. With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21 st -century education, and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, we open a world of opportunity to students and empower Pioneers to make a difference around the world. Through learning, scholarship, and practice, our students gain the experience, knowledge, and courage they need to tackle big challenges in the real world and to guide diverse communities and organizations.
About DU Advancement
In preparation for the most ambitious philanthropic campaign in the University’s history, the University of Denver is building an advancement enterprise that mirrors the excellence of our great institution. Advancement efforts at DU have a tremendous impact through our relationships with DU’s remarkable students, dedicated donors, inspiring alumni, engaged families, and wonderful friends. DU is committed to building and fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy in support of our institution as we implement the DU IMPACT 2025 vision and prepare for a fundraising campaign with a bold and courageous goal.
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. You can learn more about inclusive excellence at the University of Denver by visiting the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. 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 Sturm College of Law
Founded in 1897, the Sturm College of Law is a national leader in experiential learning and interdisciplinary legal study. Located in one of the nation’s most dynamic and beautiful cities, the Sturm College of Law features a faculty of outstanding and nationally visible scholar-teachers, an accomplished and diverse student body, a highly talented and dedicated staff, and roughly 17,000 alumni who have achieved careers of distinction in law, business, government, public interest, and other professional domains. As Denver’s only law school, the Sturm College of Law benefits from unique access to one of the nation’s most dynamic legal markets.
About Dean Bruce Smith
Bruce Smith is the 20th dean of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, having served in that role since July 2016. Previously, he was professor of law and Guy Raymond Jones Faculty Scholar at the University of Illinois College of Law, where he was dean from 2009-14. In the latter capacity, he successfully completed a $50 million capital campaign; launched an innovative Chicago Program, three new clinics, and a postgraduate public interest fellowship program; and recruited a dozen new faculty members to campus. Dean Smith has been a visiting faculty member at the University of Michigan Law School, the George Washington University Law School, and the University of Luxembourg. From 1996-2001, he practiced in the litigation group at Covington & Burling LLP in Washington, D.C., where he focused on intellectual property litigation and sports law, representing the NFL, NHL, and NBA, among other clients.
Position Summary
The University of Denver is seeking nominations and applications for an experienced, driven, and passionate fundraising professional to join our advancement team as the Executive Director of Development for the Sturm College of Law. Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development, the Executive Director of Development works closely and collaboratively with the Dean of the Sturm College of Law. This position leads all aspects of the Sturm College of Law’s fundraising including managing a team of three to five direct reports including professional fundraisers, managing a portfolio of major-through-principal gift prospects, driving pipeline development through annual and leadership annual giving efforts, and articulating unit funding priorities. The Executive Director will be responsible for a unit-level annual fundraising goal of $7-10M+ set in collaboration with the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development and the Dean of the Sturm College of Law as well as leading the unit goal as the University of Denver enters a comprehensive $1B campaign.
Essential Functions
Leadership
- Lead the Sturm College of Law’s development team including three professional fundraisers (two Director of Development, Major Gifts and a Director of Development, Annual Giving) as well as a development coordinator t and all aspects of development related programmatic and operational initiatives for the unit.
- Establish and articulate fundraising priorities based on the Sturm College of Law’s strategic vision in partnership with the Dean and the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development.
- Support the management and vision for the Dean’s Advisory Board and program level advisory boards in consultation with the Dean.
- Engage in the advancement goal-setting process for the Sturm College of Law, including fundraising engagement metrics, and monitor progress toward goals.
- Provide strategy, guidance, and direction in support of the mission, vision, values, and goals of the University of Denver.
- Effectively and responsibly steward budgetary and other resources to advance the Sturm College of Law and the University of Denver.
Fundraising
- Develop meaningful and productive relationships with a portfolio of major, principal, and planned giving prospects and donors, including individual alumni and friends, law firms, accounting firms, corporations, and foundations in support of Sturm College of Law priorities.
- Cultivate, solicit, and close numerous gifts of $50K to $1M+; ensure attainment of overall goals for the Sturm College of Law.
- Collaborate with other development professionals across campus to effectively design and execute gift strategies to lead to transformational investments.
- Lead the unit to achieve annual fundraising goals across the gift pyramid and ambitious campaign goals.
Partnerships & University Citizenship
- Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all academic departments and functions, central and unit-based advancement functions, and other campus colleagues to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative fundraising practices.
- Form and maintain meaningful and productive partnerships with influential leaders in the City of Denver and the State of Colorado, as well as national stakeholders.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to close major gifts ($50,000+) through principal gifts ($5 million+) in a relationship-based, donor-centric advancement culture.
- Demonstrated ability to form and fully leverage cross-functional teams of colleagues, volunteers, and academic/administrative leaders toward closure of transformational gifts.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Experience strategizing with academic leadership or equivalent leadership to successful conclusions.
- Demonstrated ability to work with various stakeholders at all levels.
- Proven ability to work with a high level of confidence and independence, to maintain confidentiality, to prioritize assignments, and to manage time effectively.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills that help foster and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, donors, volunteers, and University Officials.
- Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups having competing interests and priorities within the University and community.
- Ability to serve as a strong coach and mentor to other advancement professionals and to foster an inclusive, collaborative, inquisitive, innovative, ethical, and transparent office culture founded on deep mutual respect.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education or work experience (Veterans with an equivalent combination of military certification/education and experience may substitute these qualifications for the degree qualification.)
- 7 years of paid fundraising experience, working within the full spectrum of development, including cultivation, gift solicitations, stewardship, and donor recognition
- Supervisory experience
- Experience directly staffing a dean (or equivalent unit-specific leader) in a complex organization
Preferred Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree or graduate degree in related field
Working Environment
- Standard office environment
- Noise level is quiet-to-moderate
- Some nights and weekend event attendance
- Some in- and out-of-state travel responsibilities
- Eligible for hybrid work
Physical Activities
- Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period
- Occasionally required to move about the office/campus, with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs. with assistance
Statement of Other Duties Disclaimer
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Statement of Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
The University of Denver is committed to enhancing the diversity of its faculty and staff and encourages applications from women, minorities, members of the LBGT community, people with disabilities, and veterans. The University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Work Schedule
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., some nights and weekends as required; eligible for hybrid work
Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) May 8, 2023.
Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.
Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 16.
Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $115,000-$155,000.
The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.
Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver .
Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university’s complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non-discrimination-statement .
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.
Advertised: May 04, 2023
Applications close: