Director of Development

Director of Development

Central Office - Denver, CO 80205

Overview

Salary Range $82,500.00 - $88,000.00 Salary

Description

Position Title: Director of Development - Reports To: President & CEO

Hiring Salary: $82,500 - $88,000 commensurate with experience - FLSA Status: Full Time - Exempt

General Purpose:

Scholars Unlimited is a non-profit organization that provides high-quality, comprehensive after school and summer learning programs to elementary school children in metro Denver. Our mission is to support the academic, social, and emotional growth of children in low-income communities by partnering with local school districts to help every student reach their full potential. Programs are currently offered in Denver, Aurora, Sheridan, and Westminster.

At Scholars Unlimited, we value equity, belongingness, community, and joy. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment where every individual can thrive as their authentic self. We actively challenge racism, bias, and systemic inequities through ongoing learning, accountability, and action. As changemakers, we invest in equitable practices and continuous growth to strengthen our organization, our communities, and the students we serve.

The Director of Development is a senior leader responsible for developing and executing the organization's fundraising strategy in partnership with the President & CEO and Board of Directors. This role leads efforts to grow and diversify revenue, strengthen sustainable funding streams, and foster a culture of philanthropy across the organization. The position oversees a contributed revenue portfolio of approximately $2.9 million annually and is accountable for achieving annual and multi-year fundraising goals that support organizational growth and impact. The Director of Development supervises the Development Coordinator and provides strategic oversight of fundraising, donor engagement, grants, events, and development operations.

Essential Functions

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Lead and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that supports organizational priorities, revenue growth, and long-term sustainability.
• Establish fundraising goals, monitor performance, and drive achievement of annual and multi-year revenue targets.
• Partner with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to align development strategies with organizational goals and budget planning.

Revenue Generation & Donor Engagement

• Oversee all fundraising activities, including individual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundations, grants, campaigns, and special events.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, funders, and strategic community partners to expand and diversify revenue streams.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities that advance organizational impact and sustainability.

Development Operations & Compliance

• Provide oversight of development operations, systems, data management, reporting, and fundraising infrastructure.
• Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory fundraising standards and reporting requirements.
• Utilize data and performance metrics to inform strategy and decision-making.

Team, Board, and Volunteer Leadership

• Supervise and develop Development staff and external partners to ensure high performance and accountability.
• Partner with the Board of Directors and Development Committee to strengthen fundraising capacity, engagement, and stewardship efforts.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with program, finance, and leadership teams to align fundraising priorities with organizational needs and impact.
• Serve as an ambassador for the organization and ensure consistent, compelling messaging to donors, funders, and community stakeholders.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the success of Scholars Unlimited

Work Environment

• Hybrid position: Employees are expected to work in the office a minimum of 4 days per week, with specific schedules coordinated with their supervisor

Benefits

• Scholars Unlimited offers a generous benefits package that includes PTO, up to 11 paid holidays per year, a paid winter break between December 26 and January 31, two mental health wellness days per year, health, dental, and vision insurance coverage with an employer premium allowance per month, a retirement plan with employer match, employer-paid Life, AD&D, STD, and LTD insurance, and an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP).

Compensation:

• Hiring Range is $82,500 - $88,000 commensurate with experience

Organizational Culture:

• We have a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• We have a passion for our students and are invested in their success.
• We believe that trust among team members is essential.
• We believe that respect among team members is essential and non-negotiable.
• We encourage all team members to be curious.
• We love your individuality and want to see you shine.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in non-profit management, communications, business, marketing, or a related field required (or equivalent experience)

Experience:

• 7–10 years of progressive experience in nonprofit development or fundraising
• 3–5 years of experience supervising staff and leading teams
• Demonstrated success managing multi-stream fundraising strategies
• Proven success securing major gifts and growing revenue
• Experience managing donor and grant portfolios
• Experience working with Boards and volunteer fundraising efforts
• Experience with development operations, campaigns, and donor systems
• Public speaking and organizational representation experience
• Experience with grant writing and grants management preferred
• Familiarity with donor management systems (e.g., Blackbaud) strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated commitment to Scholars Unlimited's mission, values, and advancing equitable opportunities for elementary-aged youth, including a commitment to racial equity
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit fundraising strategies across multiple revenue streams
• Strategic thinking and ability to translate goals into actionable fundraising plans
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to inspire and engage stakeholders in support of organizational priorities
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Data-driven decision-making and performance analysis skills
• Ability to supervise staff and manage consultants
• Ability to collaborate across teams, leadership, and external partners
• Bilingual in Spanish is preferred

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must complete and pass criminal history background checks prior to the start of employment