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POSITION TITLE: Director of Development
COMPENSATION RANGE: 90,000.00 - 100,000.00 USD per year
EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Professional Administrative
DEPARTMENT: Office of Development
TARGET HIRE DATE: 10/1/2026
BENEFITS: UNC's Career Hub
Candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; UNC cannot provide H-1B sponsorship at this time.
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 08/07/2026.
Position Summary:
The Director of Developmentidentifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards major gifts ($25,000+)to the University of Northern Colorado from alumni, friends, and communitypartners. This position carries out these responsibilities for an academiccollege and/or program(s), non-academic college special initiatives, overall universitypriorities and an assigned travel territory.
This position reports to theAssistant Vice President for Development and is a member of the centralizedDevelopment Team within the Division of University Advancement. This individualmust foster inclusivity while working closely and collaboratively with all departmentswithin the division to ensure that philanthropic relationships, events andsolicitations are donor centric in order to maximize support of UNC. Thisincumbent also works closely and coordinates with the College of Education andBehavioral Sciences administration, faculty and support staff to ensure thatthey 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 anaccredited institution.
Minimum of three years offund-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.
Benefits:
Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.
About UNC
The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC's commitment to education began in 1889 and continues to be a transformational force for our students. Recognizedas a top university for social mobility, UNC is proud tobe a HispanicServing Institution and to serve more than 44% of our undergraduates who are the first in theirfamily to attend college. UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC's Career Hub, to learn more about UNC's strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!
EEO StatementThe University of Northern Colorado offers an educational and workingenvironment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the UNCcommunity. In accordance with federal and state law, UNC prohibits unlawfuldiscrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, national origin,religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, geneticinformation, and/or veteran status. UNC also prohibits discrimination based ongender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who opposea discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for,assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating todiscrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally protected expression will not beconsidered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is theresponsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure UNC'scompliance with this policy.
ADA AccommodationsThe University of Northern Colorado is committedto providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If yourequire reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewingor otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please directyour inquiries to 970-351-2718 or human.resources@unco.edu.
Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire.
This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado.
Clery Act
In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.