Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship (Hybrid)

University of Denver; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Tuition benefit

Retirement plan

Job summary

The University of Denver is seeking a Director, Donor Relations and Stewardship to lead a high-touch donor engagement program and deepen philanthropic commitment across the DU community. This role oversees 4–6 professionals and reports to senior advancement leadership.

The position requires a strategic leader with results-driven focus, strong budgeting and collaboration skills, and a commitment to the university’s mission in a hybrid work arrangement. Evening/weekend events may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• 7+ years of progressive professional experience.
• At least 5 years of donor, constituent, or member relations experience.
• Two or more years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and implementation.
• Proven ability to proactively prioritize work and effectively manage resources in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the University’s subject matter expert on donor relations and stewardship, establishing policies, standards, and best practices.
• Develop strategies to improve the donor experience, increase retention, and promote future giving.
• Lead and deliver a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program for the entire donor population.
• Develop standards for recognition and donor stewardship and provide guidance to campus.
• Foster a university-wide culture of donor relations and stewardship and collaborate with campus partners.
• Provide strategic direction and accountability for donor recognition and engagement activities.
• Support gift officers in designing and executing annual stewardship plans and reports.
• Oversee annual stewardship reporting including endowment reports.

Skills

Leadership

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Communication

Project management

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree

7+ years professional experience

5+ years donor relations

2+ years leadership

Tools

CRM systems

Relational databases

Enterprise information systems

Job description

The University of Denver is seeking a Director, Donor Relations and Stewardship to lead a high-touch donor engagement program and deepen philanthropic commitment across the DU community. This role oversees 4–6 professionals and reports to senior advancement leadership.

The position requires a strategic leader with results-driven focus, strong budgeting and collaboration skills, and a commitment to the university’s mission in a hybrid work arrangement. Evening/weekend events may be required.