Job Summary
The Office of Advancement encourages applications for an Associate
Director of Development to join as a key individual contributor and
partner for the Leeds School of Business! The Associate Director
uses knowledge of fundraising techniques to coordinate and
implement development activities and has a strong desire to work
towards becoming an expert level fundraiser.
This position demonstrates phenomenal relationship building skills
and is responsible for cultivating new and existing donor
relationships and increasing philanthropic support for the
University through planning, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding
leadership gifts of $25K-$99K. This position will also be tasked
with securing gifts of $100K+ depending on the portfolio and
tenure. This position will be required to travel on a regular basis
to meet with current and prospective donors to form relationships
and conduct discovery meetings.
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
Portfolio Management and Donor Engagement
- Develop and manage a portfolio of ~100 individual prospects
capable of making gifts at the leadership level. Work towards
commitments of $25K+ and $100K+.
In partnership with the Managing Senior Director, develop
annual goals around development work (face to face meetings,
proposals, dollars raised, and assists).
Collaborate with Managing Senior Director to develop strategic
plan for cultivating, soliciting and stewarding each donor as
appropriate, collaborating with the system’s gift planning team,
colleagues and academic partners when appropriate.
Conduct regular travel to visit with donors in pursuit of
achieving established goals and metrics.
Document prospect strategies and contact reports, evaluate new
prospects and generate stewardship reports and general
correspondence to cultivate major gift prospects.
Other Development Duties as Assigned
- Grow philanthropic totals by deepening collaboration with
advancement and other campus colleagues for enhanced donor
engagement. This involves participating in regular internal
meetings and engagement opportunities (task forces, frontline
fundraiser meetings, etc.).
- Embrace a self-learner/self-starter approach and continuously
look for opportunities to match donor interests with leadership
initiatives in pursuit of meeting established goals and
objectives.
- Facilitate productive relationships daily between donors and CU
administrators, faculty and staff to ensure effectiveness of
programs.
- Represent the University at events to support CU and cultivate
donors.
- Other duties as assigned.
What You Should Know
- This position will require local, regional, and out-of-state
travel to meet with donors.
- This position has the ability to work a hybrid schedule with
some days on campus and some days remote.
- This position will occasionally be required to work
evenings/weekends.
What We Can Offer
The salary range for this position is $83,000 - $93,000 annually.
Relocation assistance is available within Advancement
guidelines.
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 a
combination of education and experience may substitute.
- Experience: 3+ years of professional, job-related
experience.
- Software Used: Microsoft Office products, donor tracking
software (Salesforce), Zoom, Teams, LinkedIn.
What You Will Need
- Knowledge of fundraising techniques, especially in a higher
education/nonprofit environment.
- Desire to learn about major gift solicitation techniques.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to interact with
new people on a regular basis.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and adapt to
changing priorities; able to appropriately manage time and meet set
timelines.
- Ability to take constructive feedback from leadership and
campus partners.
- Ability to champion the shared values of the Office of
Advancement.
- 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.
- Phenomenal relationship building skills.
- Growth mindset, resilience and perseverance.
- Ability to travel regularly and practice fiscal management and
responsibility.
- Active listening skills.
What We Would Like You to Have
- Experience working in a non-profit or higher education
environment.
- Background in business education.
- Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification.
- Experience with public speaking.
- Experience with regional travel, specifically New York
City.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A current resume.
- 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
September 8, 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.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu
