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.
Position Summary
The University of Denver is seeking a driven and passionate professional to join our Advancement team as the Senior Director of Alumni Engagement serving in assigned colleges or units. This is a unique opportunity for a skilled professional to join a dynamic, growing and purposeful enterprise united around a compelling vision charted by Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. The incumbent will be part of the university-wide advancement team and will work in partnership with the assigned colleges or units. In this capacity s/he will partner directly with the unit based advancement teams and a community of talented professionals advancing the mission of the University of Denver and representing the bold ideas of our faculty to inspire philanthropy and engagement.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Unit Based Engagement, the Senior Director of Alumni Engagement will provide strategic leadership and staffing of each unit to build and enrich the awareness, philanthropic participation, and active engagement the respective alumni and friends. This will be accomplished through identifying areas of opportunity for shared programming such as strategic alumni and donor events and cross-functional opportunities to support the four pillars of the campaign including the identification of constituents to support campaign outcomes. In addition to cross-functional programming, the Senior Director will lead global networks efforts through a variety of tailored and independent alumni engagement activities by partnering with other advancement professionals and administrators to fully serve and engage the targeted communities.
Within the Advancement division, the Senior Director will help onboard new unit-based alumni engagement professionals and provide mentorship to all unit-based alumni engagement professionals.
Essential Functions
Alumni Engagement : Build and manage alumni relationships through various social, professional, volunteer and service-oriented platforms. This will include one-on-one relationship building with key alumni leaders and volunteers; managing alumni engagement activities; partnering with colleagues on managing alumni committees, including college-based councils and volunteers; and other outreach programs to engage alumni in the life of the University. In partnership with development colleagues, perform qualification duties related to strengthening the pipeline of philanthropic and volunteer support and executing college-based Annual Giving strategies through DU’s annual day of giving (1Day4DU), dean vision letters and other initiatives supporting campaign efforts.
In addition to supporting these efforts, the Senior Director will be responsible for identifying cross-functional and collaborative opportunities to achieve greater success in engaging DU’s global network.
Qualification & Annual Giving: In partnership with development colleagues, perform qualification duties related to strengthening the pipeline of philanthropic and volunteer support and executing college-based Annual Giving strategies through DU’s annual day of giving (1Day4DU), dean vision letters and other initiatives supporting campaign efforts.
Leadership : In partnership with the Executive Director, establish engagement priorities and goals based on the strategic vision for the assigned units. Effectively and responsibly steward budgetary and other resources to advance the University of Denver.
University Citizenship : Serve as an active and collaborative partner to assigned units, central and unit-based advancement functions, and other campus colleagues, to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative engagement and fundraising practices. Model “One DU” leadership.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Effective communicator within the University and on behalf of assigned units and DU Advancement
- Excellent writing and editorial skills, as well as planning documents, proposals and research documents
- Strong project management skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite
- Strong relationship building and event planning experience
- Highly organized and detail oriented
- Proven skills to think creatively and strategically and to solve problems
- Initiative, including with respect to relationship cultivation
- Ability to provide mentorship to Advancement colleagues
- Demonstrated ability to practice and adhere to organizational values
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience
- 5 years of alumni, membership or other constituent relations experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in constituent relations with a higher education, law school, school district or similar complex organization
Working Environment
- Standard office environment.
- Noise level is quiet to moderate.
- Eligible for hybrid work.
Physical Activities
- Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period.
- Ability to travel regularly.
- Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs. with assistance.
Work Schedule
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., some nights and weekends as required
Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) August 3, 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 15.
Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $95,000-$130,000.
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: July 19, 2023
Applications close: August 03, 2023