Director of Donor Relations and Operations

Director of Donor Relations and Operations

Company: Red Rocks Community College

Job Location: Lakewood, 80228

Category: Development and Fundraising

Type: Full-Time

Salary: $100,000.00 - $110,000.00 Annually

Location: Lakewood, CO

Job Number: 01117

Division: President

Department: Foundation

Closing Date: 4/6/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA Status: Exempt

Red Rocks Community College exemplifies extraordinary. We are dedicated to our Vision and Mission, which promote student achievement, staff empowerment, and community engagement. We live our values: Integrity, Collaboration, Learning, Inclusiveness, and Communication.

RRCC seeks applicants who understand and have first-hand experience working with diverse populations, which may include but are not limited to, historically marginalized populations such as people of color, LGBTQ+ community members, veterans, first generation graduates, and people with disabilities.

Summary of Position

The Red Rocks Community College Foundation advances the mission of Red Rocks Community College by generating philanthropic support for scholarships, student success programs, faculty excellence, and strategic institutional priorities. Since 1991, the Foundation has raised more than $28 million and awarded over $11 million in scholarships, helping thousands of students access and complete their education.

As the Foundation expands donor engagement and prepares for its first comprehensive campaign, the Director of Donor Relations and Operations will play a key leadership role in shaping stewardship strategy, strengthening operational and financial systems, and supporting the growth of the College's philanthropic impact. Working closely with Foundation staff, college partners, and external advisors, the Director provides strategic leadership for donor stewardship, fund management, financial reporting, and operational processes that ensure responsible management of philanthropic resources and meaningful engagement with donors.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising, donor stewardship practices, and fund management.
• Understanding of nonprofit financial management, budgeting, and reporting.
• Ability to manage donor funds and ensure compliance with donor intent.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build collaborative relationships with donors, colleagues, and leadership.
• Experience using donor databases or financial reporting systems.
• Proven ability to lead teams, support staff development, and foster a collaborative work environment.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited institution. A combination of education and directly related professional experience can substitute for a Master's degree.
• At least three years of professional experience in nonprofit development, foundation operations, finance, advancement services, or a related field.
• Experience supporting donor stewardship, or nonprofit operations.
• Experience preparing and managing budgets, including monitoring expenditures and reporting financial results.
• Supervisory or team leadership experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, higher education, or a related field.
• Experience working in a higher education foundation or advancement office.
• Experience with donor databases or fundraising CRM systems.
• Experience with endowments, scholarship funds, or restricted gift management.
• Experience supporting audits, Form 990 preparation, or grant financial reporting.

Physical & Cognitive Demands

The following are some of the physical and cognitive demands commonly associated with this position.

• Occasionally moves, positions, and transports files and office materials weighing up to 10 lbs.
• This is largely a sedentary role. This position operates in an office environment and constantly uses a computer, and routinely uses standard office equipment including phones, copiers, etc.
• The person in this position constantly communicates with internal and external constituents and students. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Cognitive demands include comparing, copying, computing, compiling, analyzing, coordinating, synthesizing, negotiating, communicating, instructing, and interpersonal skills.

Starting Salary

Starting salary range for this position is $100,000 - $110,000 annually, commensurate with education and experience. This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt position. This position has been exempted from the State Classified System.

To Apply

All applicants must submit:

1. Resume
2. Detailed letter of interest (cover letter) addressing the job announcement.

Candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications as related to the duties and responsibilities of the position. Candidates may redact any personally identifiable information on their materials including but are not limited to age, date of birth, and dates of attendance and date of graduation for educational institutions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Visit our Careers website to submit your application.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process and/or during the course of employment, please contact Jennifer Matthews, Executive Director of Human Resources, at (303) 914-6298 or Jennifer.Matthews@rrcc.edu.