Director of Development

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 08/07/2026.

Position Summary:

The Director of Development identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards major gifts ($25,000+) to the University of Northern Colorado from alumni, friends, and community partners. This position carries out these responsibilities for an academic college and/or program(s), non-academic college special initiatives, overall university priorities and an assigned travel territory.

This position reports to the Assistant Vice President for Development and is a member of the centralized Development Team within the Division of University Advancement. This individual must foster inclusivity while working closely and collaboratively with all departments within the division to ensure that philanthropic relationships, events and solicitations are donor centric in order to maximize support of UNC. This incumbent also works closely and coordinates with the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences administration, faculty and support staff to ensure that they are appropriately informed and engaged in development activities.

Job Duties:

1. Proactively manages a portfolio of approximately 100-125 qualified major and blended gift prospects.

• Visits a minimum of 144 prospects and donors yearly, engaging in substantive conversations that strategically move them toward making a major gift ($25,000+).
• Travels (minimum of 4 times per year) to assigned territory.
• Develops effective plans and compelling proposals to secure major gifts from assigned prospects.
• Solicits identified prospects for major gifts for university and assigned area priorities, preparing written and oral presentations that address the donor's philanthropic interests and university and/or unit priorities.
• Visits identified prospects for the purpose of assessing the capacity and willingness to make a gift.
• Documents completed and anticipated moves with prospects in alumni/development database in a timely and accurate way.
• Creates and implements effective stewardship activities working in collaboration with the donor relations coordinator.
• Works closely with the prospect researcher to ensure that prospects and donors have well-documented and comprehensive records and that portfolios are accurate and up-to-date; responds to referrals of major gift prospects from the prospect researcher and other sources in a timely manner.
• Works with academic leadership, development colleagues and volunteers to establish a network to assist in identification and cultivation of donor prospects.

2. Fosters an environment for successful fundraising by preparing campus partners to participate effectively and appropriately in development activities and prospect meetings.

3. Models behavior that demonstrates positive and respectful engagement and an approach that emphasizes action for the good of the university as a whole.

4. Actively participates in prospect management, development, alumni and community relations, and key campus meetings as needed.

5. Partners with the Alumni and Community Relations Team to strengthen donor and prospect engagement by leveraging key events, volunteer opportunities and other strategic initiatives that deepen a prospect's relationship with the university.

6. Works effectively and collaboratively with UNC Foundation colleagues on the execution of gift agreements, creation of endowed/spendable funds and receipting and stewarding of gifts.

7. Follows university and development policies and procedures.

8. Participates in ongoing enhancement of fund-raising skills through professional training.

9. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Minimum of three years of fund-raising experience, preferably in higher education.

Abilities:

• Documented success in personally implementing sophisticated, multi-year cultivation strategies that use a relationship-building and moves management approach leading to successful gift closure.
• Ability to achieve financial goals and performance metrics.
• Ability to forge strong working relationships with others and a capacity for engaging confidence and trust among internal and external constituents.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to university business and confidential prospect information.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person, writing, and by phone.
• Willingness and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• High motivation for success coupled with diplomacy, inclusivity, tact, and consistent follow-through.
• Strong analytical, organizational and strategic planning skills with ability to handle multiple projects.
• Able to secure meetings and qualify new prospects.
• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.
• Ability to prepare complex and detailed proposals and related materials.
• Attention to detail and thoroughness in completing assigned duties.
• Demonstrable experience in developing stewardship plans leading to additional investments.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate the value of a UNC education and represent the institution well.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfort working in donor/prospect database systems.
• Ability and willingness to travel.