Assoc Dir of Development

University of Northern Colorado; Colorado; On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

UNC Career Hub

Job summary

The University of Northern Colorado is seeking an Associate Director of Development to grow leadership annual giving and strengthen donor pipelines. This role focuses on cultivating 150–200 leaders contributing $1,000–$24,999, with collaboration across advancement teams to maximize annual and major gifts.

The position reports to the Executive Director of Gift Planning and requires strong communication, strategic planning, and the ability to travel as needed to engage donors and prospects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Two or more years of fund-raising experience, preferably in higher education or equivalent experience in sales or marketing.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of 150-200 leadership annual giving donors and prospects ($1,000–$24,999).
• Meets fundraising performance metrics and develops 1:1 cultivation strategies.
• Coordinates with donor relations and research teams to build a major gift pipeline.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Communication skills

Portfolio management

Microsoft Office

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Donor database systems

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Assoc Dir of Development
COMPENSATION RANGE: 70,000.00 - 75,000.00 USD per year
EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Professional Administrative

DEPARTMENT: VP Alumni and Development Office
TARGET HIRE DATE: 11/2/2026

BENEFITS: UNC’s Career Hub

Candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; UNC cannot provide H-1B sponsorship at this time.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 10/03/2026.

Position Summary

The AssociateDirector of Development is responsible for identifying, cultivating, solicitingand stewarding leadership annual giving (LAG) donors from identified prospects withina portfolio comprised of university-wide donors, alumni, parents, faculty,staff and friends. This position primarily works with a portfolio of 150-200 individualscapable of making leadership gifts ($1,000-$24,999) to the university with agoal of increasing annual giving and developing a strong pipeline for majorgift donors. This position will work collaboratively with development officerson the referral of major gift prospects and the Donor Relations Coordinator tocoordinate stewardship efforts. They carry out these responsibilities on behalfof university-wide program(s), including academic and non-academic initiatives,and overall university priorities.
Thisposition reports to the Executive Director of Gift Planning and is a member ofthe centralized Development team within the division of University Advancement.This individual must foster inclusivity while working closely andcollaboratively with all development, advancement services, annual giving,alumni and foundation staff members to ensure that philanthropic relationships,communications, events and solicitations are donor centric in order to maximizesupport of UNC. This individual also works closely and coordinates with university-wideadministration, marketing and communications teams, and faculty and supportstaff to ensure that they are appropriately informed and engaged in developmentactivities.

Job Duties

• Proactively manages a portfolio of 150-200 identified leadership annual giving (LAG) donors and prospects ($1,000-$24,999). Time spent: 65%
• Meets fundraising performance metrics established with supervisor on an annual basis.
  Metrics include but are not limited to substantive visits, qualification visits, total dollars solicited, retention rates and other strategic activities.
  Develops communication strategies to contact, via telephone, email and other methods, identified prospects to secure 1:1, face-to-face visits.
  Conducts personal visits with prospects to solicit, upgrade and retain LAG level prospects utilizing a variety of gift vehicles including multi-year pledges to assist the team in realizing their annual and overall Development goals.
  Makes assessments of prospects for the purpose of assessing capacity and inclination to make a major, planned, or blended gift to develop a strong pipeline for major gift prospects.
  Once identified, coordinates with development leadership and development officers on the referral of major gift level ($25,000 or more) prospects.
  Creates effective, actionable cultivation and solicitation plans.
  Occasionally prepares compelling written proposals to secure gifts that address the donor’s philanthropic interests and university and/or unit priorities.
  Portfolio Management and Stewardship. Time spent: 20%
  Documents completed and anticipated moves with prospects in alumni/development database in a timely and accurate way.
  Routinely collaborates with Donor Relations Coordinator to ensure appropriate stewardship process is in place and executed for all donors within assigned portfolio and, in collaboration with development officers, implement strategy for engagement and program/college-specific stewardship.
• Works effectively and collaboratively with appropriate divisional colleagues on the execution of gift agreements, creation of endowed/spendable funds and receipting.
• Works closely with the prospect researcher to ensure that assigned prospects and donors have well-documented and comprehensive records and that their portfolio is accurate and up-to-date; responds to referrals of LAG prospects from the prospect researcher, development officers and student advancement ambassadors (SAA) and other sources in a timely manner.
  In collaboration with the prospect researcher and development leadership, works to continually evaluate, improve and implement new strategies to identify and segment LAG prospects and practices to stay current with industry practices.
• Fosters an environment for successful fundraising by working with development and cross-campus colleagues to gain insight on fundraising priorities and development-related engagement opportunities. Time spent: 5%
• Participates actively in team, divisional and campus meetings. Time spent: 5%
• Participates in ongoing enhancement of fundraising skills through professional training. Time spent: 5%
• Models behavior that demonstrates positive and respectful engagement and an approach that emphasizes action for the good of the university as a whole.
• Follows university and development policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from anaccredited institution.
• Two or more years of fund-raisingexperience, preferably in higher education or equivalent experience in sales or marketing.

Abilities

• -Driven, self-motivated individual with proven ability to achieve financial goals and performance metrics.
• -Ability to forge strong working relationships with others and a capacity for engaging confidence and trust among internal and external constituents.
• -Outstanding oral, written and interpersonal communication skills including effective presentation skills. Ability to commuicate clearly and succinctly with diverse audiences through strong phone, email and written communication.
• -Demonstrable experience in developing stewardship plans leading to upgrades and retention.
• -Exhibits and promotes a comprehensive understanding of university-wide priorities along with the value of a UNC education.
• -Willingness and ability to build and maintain effective relationships with donors and colleagues while working both independently and as part of a team.
• -Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to university business and confidential prospect information.
• -High motivation for success coupled with diplomacy, inclusivity, tact, and consistent follow-through.
• -Strong analytical, organizational and strategic planning skills with ability to handle multiple projects.
• -Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.
• -Attention to detail and thoroughness in completing assigned duties.
• -Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfort working in donor/prospect computer database systems.
• -Ability and willingness to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends.
• -Must have valid driver’slicense or the ability to obtain a driver’s license.

Benefits

Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.

About UNC

The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC’s commitment to education began in 1889 and continues to be a transformational force for our students. Recognizedas a top university for social mobility, UNC is proud tobe a HispanicServing Institution and to serve more than 44% of our undergraduates who are the first in theirfamily to attend college. UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC’s Career Hub, to learn more about UNC’s strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!

EEO Statement

The University of Northern Colorado offers an educational and workingenvironment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the UNCcommunity. In accordance with federal and state law, UNC prohibits unlawfuldiscrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, national origin,religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, geneticinformation, and/or veteran status. UNC also prohibits discrimination based ongender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who opposea discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for,assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating todiscrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally protected expression will not beconsidered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is theresponsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure UNC’scompliance with this policy.

ADA Accommodations

The University of Northern Colorado is committedto providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If yourequire reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewingor otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please directyour inquiries to 970-351-2718 or [e-mail].

Background Check

Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire.
This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado.

Clery Act

In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.