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Director Of Development Operations Jobs in Colorado

Craig Hospital

Director of Development

Englewood, CO · Hybrid

$35.17 - $50.64/hr

Partner with direct reports for execution and operations team for system implementation and ... Lead a team of pipeline development and donor relations professionals: Development Manager, Digital ...

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All JobsOf Development Operations JobsDirector Of Development Operations JobsDirector Of Development Operations Jobs in Colorado

Director Of Development Operations information

See Colorado salary details

$35.8K

$113.2K

$188.7K

How much do director of development operations jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of development operations in Colorado is $113,228.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,400.00 and $142,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a director of development operations?

A Director of Development Operations is a senior-level professional responsible for overseeing and optimizing an organization's software development processes and infrastructure. They bridge the gap between development and IT operations, ensuring smooth, efficient, and secure deployment of software products. Their duties often include implementing best practices in DevOps, managing teams, automating workflows, and aligning technology with business goals. This role is critical for organizations that want to deliver software quickly and reliably while maintaining high quality and security standards.

How does a director of development operations typically collaborate with other departments to ensure the success of fundraising initiatives?

A Director of Development Operations works closely with teams across the organization, including marketing, finance, and program staff, to align fundraising strategies with organizational goals. They coordinate the flow of information, ensure accurate donor data management, and often lead cross-functional meetings to streamline campaign planning and reporting. By fostering strong interdepartmental relationships, they help ensure that fundraising efforts are well-supported, compliant, and able to adapt quickly to new opportunities or challenges. This collaborative approach is key to maximizing both efficiency and impact in fundraising operations.

What is the difference between Director Of Development Operations vs Director Of Fundraising?

AspectDirector Of Development OperationsDirector Of Fundraising
Primary FocusOversees development processes, systems, and operational efficiencyLeads fundraising campaigns, donor relations, and revenue generation
Required CredentialsTypically requires experience in development systems, project management, and nonprofit operationsOften requires fundraising certifications, donor management experience, and communication skills
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, collaborating with development teams and operations staffOffice and event-based, engaging with donors and stakeholders
Industry UsageCommon in nonprofits, educational institutions, and large organizationsPrevalent in nonprofits, charities, and community organizations

The main difference is that the Director Of Development Operations focuses on streamlining development processes and systems, while the Director Of Fundraising concentrates on securing funds through campaigns and donor engagement. Both roles are vital in nonprofit organizations but serve distinct functions within the development department.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of development operations?

To excel as a Director of Development Operations, you need expertise in software development lifecycle management, infrastructure automation, and strategic planning, often supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with tools such as Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, along with certifications like AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, is highly valued. Strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and effective communication are critical for managing cross-functional teams and driving organizational change. These skills ensure seamless collaboration, reliable system performance, and the successful execution of technology initiatives.
What job categories do people searching Director Of Development Operations jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Director Of Development Operations jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Director Of Development Operations jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Director Of Development Operations job openings:
Director Of Development Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Development Operations job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $113,228 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Director of Development

Colorado Dream Foundation

Denver, CO • On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

About the Colorado LiftED Foundation
The Colorado LiftED Foundation is a long-term partner to youth and families in the Denver metro area, offering academic, social, and emotional support so no one has to navigate school and life alone. Since our founding in 1988, we've leveraged proven methods to give youth equal access to the resources they need to succeed - working toward a Colorado where every young person has equal access to educational and career opportunities that ignite their innate potential.
About the Position
The Director of Development & Engagement owns CLF's individual-giving engine - donor relationships, signature events, and year-round giving campaigns that turn community belief into sustained support for youth. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Director sets and executes the strategy for donor cultivation and stewardship, the Annual Gala and signature events, and CLF's giving campaigns (Colorado Gives Day, End-of-Year Giving, and beyond), and owns the revenue those efforts produce.
This is a builder's role with a growth path: in year one it is non-supervisory, with the Director carrying strategy and donor relationships directly, supported by a contracted event coordinator and volunteers, and partnering closely with the CEO, Senior Director of Development, and Development Operations & Communications Manager. The ideal candidate is a strategic relationship-builder who is equally comfortable shaping a multi-year donor plan, running a flawless gala, and reading a campaign dashboard to course-correct mid-stream - someone who treats each donor as a long-term partner whose commitment is meant to outlast any single gift.
This Role Lives All Five CLF Values
  • A Seat at the Table - Donor and volunteer experiences authentically include the voices of youth, families, and community.
  • An Inch Wide, A Mile Deep - A focused, high-quality donor portfolio beats chasing volume.
  • Once a Dreamer, Always a Dreamer - Every donor and volunteer is stewarded with the same long-term commitment CLF brings to youth.
  • Whatever It Takes - Relentless, creative follow-through on cultivation, events, and campaigns alike.
  • We Not Me - Individual giving is shared organizational infrastructure, not a department off to one side.

Key Responsibilities
Individual-Giving Strategy & Donor Portfolio
  • Own the individual-giving strategy and pipeline. Design and execute a multi-year plan for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship - partnering with the CEO and Senior Director of Development to set cultivation stages and ensure every high-value donor has a clear next step.
  • Carry a personal portfolio. Cultivate and steward individual and donor-advised-fund (DAF) donors with high-touch stewardship; standard acknowledgments are generated centrally.
  • Make leadership effective in donor moments. Prepare the CEO and Senior Director of Development with briefing materials and deeper-engagement opportunities like site visits and program showcases.

Signature Events & Donor Experience
  • Own the Gala and signature events end-to-end. Hold the strategy, budget, and execution - from concept through vendor and venue management and run-of-show, to post-event reconciliation and debrief, so each event outperforms the last.
  • Lead contracted and volunteer event capacity. Direct a contracted event coordinator and volunteers, setting scope and holding accountability for execution.
  • Design a year-round engagement calendar of cultivation moments - receptions, showcases, board touchpoints - between major events.

Giving Campaigns & Revenue Growth
  • Own campaign strategy and revenue. Hold the strategy, segmentation, timeline, and revenue goals for Colorado Gives Day, End-of-Year Giving, and new campaigns you design - tracking performance in real time and adjusting tactics to meet or exceed targets.
  • Keep storytelling true. Ensure campaign storytelling authentically reflects the youth, families, and communities CLF serves.

Coaching, Feedback & Growth
  • Report up with rigor. Meet weekly with the Senior Director of Development to align priorities and surface risks; engage in quarterly coaching and an annual review.
  • Coach down to the capacity you lead. Set clear scope and give growth-oriented feedback to the contracted event coordinator and volunteers.

Growth Path
This role begins as a non-supervisory builder position: the Director carries individual-giving strategy and relationships directly, supported by a contracted event coordinator and volunteers. As individual giving matures into a proven, dependable revenue stream, CLF expects to add development capacity reporting to this role.
Skills & Qualifications
  • Five to seven or more years of progressive development experience, with demonstrated ownership of donor cultivation, signature events, and giving campaigns, and a track record of growing individual or annual giving.
  • Demonstrated ability to set and meet revenue targets and to own budgets for events and campaigns.
  • Proficiency with donor management systems (Virtuous, Salesforce, Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, or similar); direct Virtuous experience preferred.
  • Excellent relationship and written-communication skills, with an ear for donor-facing language that is warm, specific, and anchored in mission.
  • Experience directing contractors and/or volunteers, with the judgment to build and eventually supervise a small team.
  • Comfort with spreadsheets, email-marketing platforms, and reporting dashboards, and the analytical habit of using data to course-correct.
  • Deep commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and CLF's five core values.

Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in development, nonprofit management, communications, or a related field.
  • Availability for evening and weekend work tied to the Gala, cultivation events, and campaign deadlines.
  • Valid Colorado driver's license and reliable transportation for donor meetings and site visits.
  • Must pass a background check consistent with CLF's youth-serving organizational standards.
  • Alignment: Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and CLF's core values (A Seat at the Table, We Not Me, An Inch Wide A Mile Deep, Once a Dreamer Always a Dreamer, Whatever It Takes).

Compensation & Benefits
  • Employment Status: Full-Time (1.0 FTE), Salaried/Exempt.
  • Salary Range: $85,000-$100,000, commensurate with experience.
  • Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance; employer-sponsored retirement plan; paid time off; paid holidays; professional development support.
  • Location: Hybrid (Denver metro), with in-person presence required for the Gala, cultivation events, and team collaboration.

AI Disclosure
At CLF, we use tools like Claude.ai as part of how we think, draft, and work. AI can be a genuine asset for organizing your thoughts, working through writer's block, or strengthening how you communicate your ideas. That said, what we're looking for in your application is you - your voice, your reflection, and your real connection to this work. When responses feel like they were generated rather than considered, we lose the very thing we're trying to understand: how you think about relationships, complexity, and mission.
So as you prepare your materials, we ask that AI supplement your thinking, not replace it. If you used AI assistance in drafting your application, we simply ask that you briefly note how in your submission. There's no wrong answer - honesty here is itself a signal of the self-awareness we value in our team.
Additional Information
This description illustrates the job functions and basic duties, including "other duties as assigned"; supervisors may assign additional responsibilities as appropriate. Colorado LiftED Foundation is committed to equal employment opportunity and a non-discriminatory workplace, and welcomes all qualified candidates who share our mission to apply.

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