"Director of Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate School and Libraries"

Job Summary

Advancement at CU Boulder encourages applications for a Director of Development which operates as a key individual contributor and partner for College of Arts & Sciences, Graduate School & Libraries! The Director uses expert knowledge of fundraising techniques to coordinate, direct, and implement development activities for the College of Arts & Sciences, Graduate School & Libraries advancement team.

This position 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 $5,000+ and major gifts of $100,000+.

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.

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

At CU Boulder Advancement, we are committed to fostering an environment where everyone matters and all can thrive. Our efforts around equity, inclusion, and belonging are integral to our mission and to our success as a division. We actively engage in learning, reflection, and the ongoing examination of systems, policies, and practices that perpetuate oppressive ideologies—including racism, sexism, ableism, and heterosexism. We recognize our responsibility to lead by example and to support a culture that is inclusive, accountable, and grounded in respect for our colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve. We hold ourselves accountable through individual and divisional goals that assess progress, growth, and outcomes in alignment with our values and public mission.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Portfolio Management and Donor Engagement

• Develop and manage a portfolio of 50-75 individual prospects capable of making gifts at the leadership and major gift level. At this level, a portion of the portfolio is expected to be mature and stable with about 1/3 of the portfolio existing in the discovery phase.
• In partnership with the Managing Sr. Director of Development, develop annual goals around development work (face to face meetings, proposals, dollars raised, and assists).
• 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.).
• Work closely with the dean, faculty and volunteers to develop and implement fundraising strategies in order to meet 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.
• Serve as a mentor and coach for entry-level development officers.
• 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 may occasionally be required to work evenings/weekends.

What We Can Offer

The salary range is $100,000 - $128,000 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 dynamic. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience or combination of education and experience may substitute.
• Experience: 5+ years of professional, job-related experience.

What You Will Need

• Expert knowledge of fundraising techniques, especially in a higher education/nonprofit environment.
• 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.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Software Used: Microsoft Office products, donor tracking software (Salesforce), Zoom, Teams, LinkedIn.
• Experience working in a non-profit or higher education environment.
• Background in liberal arts, the fine arts, STEM education, graduate level education, academic research, libraries and archives.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification.

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 February 23, 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.