Director of Development, Foundation Relations

Position Summary The University of Denver is seeking an experienced, driven, and passionate Foundation Relations fundraiser to join our Advancement team as the Director of Development, Foundation Relations. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Foundation Relations, the director will partner with administrative, academic, and Advancement colleagues to secure funding from private grant‑making organizations in support of the University’s highest priorities. The director serves as a subject‑matter expert in institutional giving (predominantly private foundations) and will possess the technical expertise needed to navigate pre‑ and post‑award grant processes. The director will manage a diverse portfolio of foundation prospects aligned with DU’s priorities and campus strengths, develop and mature assigned foundation donors, and collaborate closely with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, grant administrators, budget officers, and fiscal compliance experts. Responsibilities Fundraising Outcomes Responsible for raising $1,000,000+ annually through leadership annual gifts and major gifts, once the portfolio is mature. Contribute to annual and campaign goals by securing gifts and grants aligned with institutional priorities and strategic initiatives. Fundraising Activities Develop and execute complex fundraising strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects. Manage a portfolio of donors with capacity to make gifts of $50,000+. Leverage campaign priorities and university initiatives to inspire philanthropic investment. Solicit private foundations for major gifts and grants of $50,000+, including current‑use funding, endowments, and multi‑year commitments. Represent the university’s breadth of academic programs and initiatives in donor conversations and proposals. Leadership Provide strategic guidance and mentorship to development team members and support staff. Prepare, debrief, and coach colleagues and academic partners for donor meetings and solicitations. Steward budgetary and operational resources to support fundraising success and team efficiency. Programmatic & Operational Responsibilities Align donor interests with institutional needs and campaign priorities. Partner with academic leaders to identify fundable priorities and translate them into compelling philanthropic opportunities. Develop and implement donor engagement and stewardship initiatives. Articulate the impact of philanthropy through customized communications, reports, and donor experiences. Ensure accurate and timely entry of contact reports and donor data in the CRM. Track and report on key performance indicators such as qualifications, visits, solicitations, and dollars raised. Manage complex projects and initiatives in compliance with university policies and procedures. Collaborate Across Campus Partner with central and unit‑based advancement teams and campus colleagues. Staff dean, academic leaders, and/or faculty to drive strategy, preparing for donor visits, and solicit and follow up. Participate in cross‑functional planning and strategy sessions to support integrated advancement goals. Liaise closely with the Office of Research and Sponsored (ORSP) programs on grant opportunity communications, limited submission competitions and pre‑ and post‑award grant coordination. Intentionally and thoughtfully partner with faculty, academic leadership, grant administrators, ORSP, and unit‑based Advancement colleagues to develop fundable proposals to foundations, including interdisciplinary, multi‑unit campus projects. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Demonstrated expertise in managing major gift and institutional giving fundraising and outcomes. Ability to cultivate and close gifts of $100,000+. Writes major gift proposals and crafts compelling cases for support. Leads through uncertainty and change and develops solid solutions for varied situations, applying sound judgment when making decisions. Builds and manages an individual portfolio to meet personal goals. Partners with deans/faculty to shape cases for support. Oversees prospect strategy and metrics for themselves. Works effectively with internal and external constituents and faculty; collaborates effectively with other Advancement teams. Acts as an Advancement ambassador internally and externally; provides mentorship or supervision to team members. Requirements Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience. Seven (7) years of professional experience, including at least five (5) years of direct fundraising experience. Demonstrated experience closing gifts at major gift level ($50,000-$999,999) through strategic portfolio management and relationship building. Experience using standard office software (Microsoft Word, Excel) and donor management systems such as Salesforce and Advance. Demonstrated experience securing gifts and grants from professional, private foundations. Preferred Qualifications Fundraising experience in higher education or a comparably complex nonprofit environment. Hybrid work arrangement; occasional travel to key markets outside Denver; participation in events and evening activity attendance. Work Schedule Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Salary Salary Grade: 14 Salary Range: $100,000 – $115,000 Benefits Medical, dental, and retirement benefits Paid time off Tuition benefit ECO pass Application Deadline 4:00 p.m. (MST) August 3, 2026 EEO Statement The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran 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; the Americans with Disabilities Act; 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; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's NonDiscriminationStatement. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history and National Sex Offender Registry background check. #J-18808-Ljbffr Stryker