Stewardship & IFR Program Director

Position Details

University of Colorado | Denver

Official Title: External Relations Program Director
Working Title: Stewardship & IFR Program Director
FTE: Full-time
Salary Range: $83,615 - $92,416
Position #00001247 - Requisition #39398

Job Description

The Stewardship and Industry and Foundation Relations Program Director is responsible for the oversight of Advancement stewardship and Industry and Foundation Relations (IFR) programs and functions. The position provides management and development of strategies and processes that support stewardship programs that demonstrate meaningful impact, ensure appropriate recognition, and reinforce a culture of gratitude across campus. This position serves as a strategic partner to further IFR efforts as it expands relationships and philanthropy with Foundations and Corporations.
This position reports to the Executive Director of Finance and Administration and supervises the Development and Prospect Research Associate. The position manages the administrative pieces that support the Major Gift, Communications, and Annual Giving teams.

What you will do:

Stewardship - 50%

• Lead impact reporting for operational gift funds: research stewardees, collect outcomes, develop concise donor-facing summaries, and distribute on a defined cadence.
• Manage the scholarship stewardship program: liaise with campus partners on awarding updates, manage student correspondence, confirm award disbursement in CU SIS, donor outreach, and delivery timelines.
• Coordinate donor-student meetings: mentor students and prepare them for outward facing engagement, scheduling, briefing materials, consent/media releases, and post-meeting follow-ups.
• Coordinate student ThankView videos for select donor engagement plans.
• Maintain gift fund designation stewardee tracker and database updates.
• Research and compiling donor stewardship gifts.
• Administer CU Denver Loyal milestone recognition society (criteria, cadence, assets, fulfillment, tracking).
• Project manage holiday cards and gifts for Advancement and the Chancellor's Office: timeline, creative proofing, address validation, and vendor coordination.
• Assists with the donor acknowledgement process, coordinating the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor letters, first-time donor and annual giving donor postcards, honorary and memorial acknowledgements, and other related donor recognition.
• Manages Advancement swag inventory.

Industry & Foundation Relations - 40%

• Provide strategic and tactical suggestions around IFR work based on oversight of IFR interaction with external public.
• Manage foundation proposal submission materials.
• Manage foundation grants calendar.
• Develop IFR templates for corporate briefings for leadership, corporate engagement overview, corporate Ovrture pages, IFR proposals, IFR internal documents (i.e. impact statements, program overview/summary).
• Manage IFR monthly bulletin of leadership updates.
• Liaise with CU Foundation on behalf of IFR.
• Update/request impact data from campus partners/program managers.
• IFR scheduling support.
• Track corporate pledge payments and renewals, work with CUF to send pledge reminders and payment receipts (when necessary).
• Track corporate engagement activity with internal colleagues including workforce development, Office of Research Development, Provost re: curriculum development and program managers for volunteer engagement and board service.

Supervision - 10%

• Manage the Development & Prospect Research Coordinator and additional Development Assistants.
• Have oversight over Major Gift, Communications, and Annual Giving support as provided by the DA team including data pulls and research.
• Act as backup to support Advancement area support initiatives.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• A bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, advertising, graphic design, visual arts, or a related field.
• Four (4) years of related professional experience in photography, social media management, content creation, visual and mixed-media arts, editing, or other related professional experience.

Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in higher education Advancement shops or non-profit organizations.
  • Stewardship experience within higher education or a non-profit organization.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to use strategies and skills for setting, embracing and achieving objectives
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills and ability to diplomatically handle problems of a sensitive and/or confidential nature
• Ability to establish work priorities handle multiple deadlines
• Passion for engaging with people and connecting them to opportunities that meet their needs
• Ability to deal effectively with multiple categories of stakeholders, including students, alumni, employers, community leaders, faculty, and support staff.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and tasks simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.

Conditions of Employment

• Occasional work during the evening and/or weekends may be required.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure allowing for 2-3 remote days/week based on manager and unit discretion.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $83,615 - $92,416.
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Benefits
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Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by March 29th, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Required Application Materials

To apply, please visit: www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

• A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications
• A current CV/resume
• List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

Questions should be directed to Nickolas Chabot-Olson, nickolas.chabot-olson@ucdenver.edu