Donor Experience Officer (DXO), Annual Giving

Job Summary

The Office of Advancement encourages applications for three Donor Experience Officers (DXOs)! The DXO is a frontline fundraiser who will use fundraising techniques to build donor relationships and has a strong desire to work towards becoming an expert level fundraiser. This is an entry-level role meant to provide a pathway for a successful career in fundraising and relationship management.

This position is responsible for qualifying and disqualifying new prospects, building positive relationships with existing donors in their portfolio and growing philanthropic support for the University. They will research, cultivate, solicit and steward gifts of $1,000-$25,000. While the main focus of the DXO is to secure gifts in the $5K-$25K range, this position could also work on securing gifts at $25K and above in collaboration with a more senior development officer. This position will report to the Director of Annual Giving, DXO and Pipeline Development.

The Annual Giving Team at CU Boulder is focused on creating and driving fundraising strategies supporting the acquisition and retention of entry-level and mid-level donors and moving donors through the major gift continuum. This team prioritizes the ethical collection and use of data to support operations built on best-practices and champions a donor-first philosophy towards the solicitation of donors giving gifts of less than $25,000 in support of the short and long-term priorities of CU Boulder.

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

• Build relationships with a hand-selected portfolio of 1,000 individual prospects capable of making gifts of $5,000+, focusing on several schools, colleges and units.
• Focus on employing digital tools to interact with donors, but there will also be opportunities for in-person meetings.
• Connect with constituents through phone, email, mail, local in-person meetings, Zoom meetings, LinkedIn, ThankView videos, and other industry communication tactics.
• Solicit and close gifts up to $25,000, while working with campus teams on plans, strategies, and major gift referrals.
• Work with prospect research and management teams to update, adjust, and maintain the donor portfolio. Keep up to date contact reports and records of donor interaction for the university community.
• In partnership with the Director of Annual Giving, develop annual goals around metrics (activities, meetings, solicitations, proposals, dollars raised, and referrals).
• Document prospect strategies and contact reports, evaluate new prospects and generate stewardship reports and general correspondence.
• Steward donors to strengthen their engagement with the University and work with campus partners to share updates and information.

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.
• Stay up to date on annual giving and leadership/major gift trends through professional development and peer networking.
• 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 be occasionally required to work weekends/evenings, but this is not common and will only happen in rare circumstances.
• This position has the ability to work a hybrid schedule with some days on campus and some days remote each week.

What We Can Offer

The salary range is $55,100 - $65,000 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

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience or a combination of education and experience may substitute.

What You Will Need

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to tailor communication style based on audience.
• Desire to learn about fundraising techniques.
• Phenomenal relationship building 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.
• Growth mindset, resilience and perseverance.
• Active listening skills.
• Strong sense of personal ethics.
• Ability to embrace a self-learner/self-starter outlook.
• Understanding of data compliance and integrity.
• Comfortability and ability to record videos for donors and talk to donors via video software such as Zoom.
• Ease with making personalized solicitations via video recordings, daily use of phone, and email, and use of multiple databases and virtual communication technology is essential to this role.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Software Used: Microsoft Office products, donor tracking software (Salesforce), EverTrue, Thankview, Zoom, Teams, LinkedIn, Trello, Concur, Paciolan.
• Experience in or understanding a non-profit or higher education environment.
• Experience working in a front office, sales, solicitations or any customer service-focused job.
• Experience with public speaking.
• Experience demonstrating self-learner and self-starter characteristics.

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 26, 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