Associate Director, Annual Fund and Premium Seating

Job Summary

Advancement at CU Boulder encourages applications for an Associate Director of Annual Giving & Premium Seating!

This position supports the Buff Club's growth by implementing donor communication, solicitation, and engagement strategies throughout the annual fund calendar. The role leads member acquisition initiatives, including student and recent graduate programs and manages the creation of the Buff Club annual membership guide. This position also plans annual fund events and manages a portfolio of 60-75 donors focused on mid-level giving, renewals, and identifying prospects for higher levels of support. Working closely with the Assistant Athletic Director, the officer helps set and achieve goals for outreach, revenue, and donor retention.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

CU Boulder Advancement is committed to a culture of joy, motivated by collaboration, passionate about excellence and driven by impact. These four values define the culture and drive engagement and fundraising success.

We are committed to fostering an environment where everyone matters and all can thrive. This dedication is rooted in our core values and our mission to drive impactful fundraising and engagement. Our team actively engages in learning, reflection, and the transformation of systems, policies, and practices that perpetuate oppressive ideologies-including racism, sexism, ableism, and heterosexism. We recognize our responsibility to lead by example in building a supportive and inclusive culture for both internal colleagues and external partners. We hold ourselves accountable through individual and divisional goals that continuously assess our progress, growth, and outcomes-ensuring alignment with our mission and values every step of the way.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Strategy and Execution

• Under the direction of the Assistant Athletic Director for Annual Giving/Premium Seating, this position is responsible for:
• Maintaining ongoing strategies as it relates to donor communication, solicitation, engagement, and prospecting. Shifting priorities will need to be balanced as various campaigns are completed throughout the annual fund calendar year.
• Designing, and delivering the creation of the Buff Club annual membership Guide.

Programmatic Oversight/Task Execution/Tactical Work

• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies for Buff Club member acquisition and growth, including student memberships, recent graduate initiatives, referral programs, and membership upgrades.
• Be responsible for premium seating renewals and new sales strategy.
• Complete and organize annual fund special events.

Portfolio Management and Donor Engagement

• Develop and manage a portfolio of 60 - 75 individual annual fund donors and prospects, with a primary focus on growing mid-level giving, renewing support, and identifying donors with potential to move into higher giving levels.
• Partner with the Assistant Athletic Director of Annual Giving and Premium Seating to establish annual goals related to donor outreach, personal visits, solicitations, revenue generation, and donor retention benchmarks.
• Conduct regular in-person and virtual outreach to engage donors and prospects, including campus visits, events, and travel as needed to achieve activity and fundraising goals.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions, outreach strategies, and portfolio movement; assist with identifying new prospects and generating personalized stewardship communications and impact reports.

What You Should Know

• This position may require local and regional travel to engage with university constituents.
• This position is working on-site.
• This position will occasionally be required to work evenings/weekends.

What We Can Offer

The salary range is $80,000 - $92,000 annually. Relocation assistance is available within Advancement guidelines.

Additional Compensation Details:

• Athletic Event Tickets: Per Athletic Department Policy and NCAA regulations,
• Nike Elite Employee Benefit. Per Nike Elite Policy.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be engaged. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, or combination of education and experience may substitute.
• Experience: 3+ years of professional, job-related experience.

What You Will Need

• Solid knowledge of fundraising, donor relations, and alumni relations standard processes.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to participate in public events and represent Advancement and the university in a professional manner.
• Solid ability to analyze information/situations and solve problems.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of tact, discretion, and collaboration in working with a diverse range of constituents including employees, students, volunteers, alumni, donors, and campus colleagues.
• Solid ability to organize and manage multiple projects/tasks simultaneously; the ability to work independently and on a team and adapt to changing priorities.
• Solid knowledge of current issues facing public universities and interests of collegiate athletics, students, faculty, and alumni.
• Solid knowledge of annual giving standard methodologies.
• Strong attention to detail and especially related to the visual appeal of presentation materials.
• Growth mindset, resilience, and perseverance.
• Ability to champion the shared values of the Office of Advancement.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Experience in donor relations and/or development/fundraising environment, preferably in Athletics.
• Experience in constituent relations/relationship management.
• Experience in a higher education environment.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by May 17, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.