The Associate Director reports directly to the Director of Lead Marketing & Community Activation and operates in consultation with the Executive Director of Annual and Leadership Annual Giving. This position participates in crucial strategy development for a multi-channel, donor-centric communications program, including Direct Mail, Phonathon, E-mail, Crowdfunding and other digital strategies to achieve a shared goal of $1.5-1.8M.

The Associate Director collaborates directly with academic units, centers and institutes across the University, in addition to the broader Advancement team and Division of Marketing & Communications, to develop and inform annual giving strategy and messaging.

Successful candidates will be highly collaborative, motivated, and skilled at creating and executing compelling annual giving strategies. They will be deeply involved in the growth and expansion of DUs donor base across the university. The University of Denver is unique in its academic portfolio, which boasts both strong undergraduate programs and experiences, as well as highly respected graduate and professional programs. Alumni identify with both the institution, as well as their specific academic units within it, and the Associate Director must ensure that messaging is tailored to the specific audiences outlined above.

This role is eligible for remote work under DU’s Remote Work Policy.

Essential Functions

The Associate Director, Signature Campaigns (ADSC) will manage the multiple processes related specifically with direct mail and email communications, including data and appeal code requests, working with Business Intelligence and Analytics to confirm segmentation and required data points and with Creative Engagement to develop a successful vehicle of outreach.

In addition, the ADSC will be responsible for analyzing data and producing reports for development partner updates. The Associate Director will work directly with the Director and in concert with Executive Director and Advancement colleagues embedded in academic units to determine university-wide and academic unit-specific annual giving goals, and build strategic and tactical plans for achieving these goals.

The Associate Director will play a primary role in the execution of all signature solicitation campaigns, including days of giving and unit-specific appeals as determined. That role includes handling all interactions with preferred vendors from the data analysis, strategy, and estimate process through to the execution of campaigns, performance tracking and invoicing.

University Citizenship: Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all central and unit-based advancement functions and campus colleagues to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative fundraising practices. Contribute to team success and model One DU leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including verbal, written and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Exceptionally high level of customer service skills
• Adept at using judgment and discretion in situations that that require sensitivity and tact
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and use data to optimize strategies

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience (Veterans with equivalent combination of military certification/education and experience may substitute for this qualification)
• 3 years of paid fundraising experience, which could include community organizing or campaign roles
  Management experience (to include direct management of projects or personnel)
• Experience planning and executing successful annual giving strategies and campaigns, including mail, phone, and digital strategies
• Experience raising annual gifts for an institution of higher education or similarly complex non-profit environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a University setting or similarly complex non-profit environment

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 Annual Giving

The Annual Giving Program is central to Advancement at the University of Denver, reports up to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development, and is part of the university-wide Development team. The efforts of Annual Giving provide critical support to DU and the community we serve, developing and maintaining a sustainable and predictable source of annual funding while enhancing the major and principal gift pipeline to help progress the mission of the University. In partnership with Advancement colleagues, we aspire to aggressively impact the culture of giving at DU, reflecting in increased alumni participation, donor loyalty, and a robust leadership annual giving society.

About the Team

This position’s peer group consists of two other Associate Directors within Annual Giving including Associate Director, Crimson Call Center and Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives, with whom this position will work closely. All Associate Directors report into the Director, Lead Marketing & Community Activation and consult with the Executive Director of Annual Giving and Leadership Annual Giving. There is shared supervisory responsibility for a Development Coordinator.

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.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.