Senior Director of Philanthropy

Denver Zoological Foundation; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 138,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, vision, and[d]e

403(b) Retirement Plan

Generous paid time off

DZCA family membership

Discounts and free parking

Job summary

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance seeks a Senior Director of Philanthropy to lead major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation partnerships, and donor engagement. You will guide a team, manage budgets, and partner with senior leaders to grow philanthropic revenue while advancing conservation efforts.

The role requires a strong track record in fundraising leadership, capital campaigns, and a deep commitment to the DZCA mission and values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field, or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• An advanced degree and relevant fundraising certifications are desirable.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive fundraising experience with major gifts and cultivating donor relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive philanthropy strategies aligned with the organization's mission and goals.
• Lead and coach fundraisers and staff, ensuring accountability and fundraising excellence.
• Maintain an active donor portfolio, grow major gifts, and partner with executives and Trustees.
• Oversee campaign readiness, fundraising materials, and donor recognition across programs.
• Manage budgets, monitor performance, and report to the Chief Philanthropy Officer.

Skills

People management

Communication skills

Fundraising strategy

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Advanced degree desirable

Job description

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA)is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission of Inspiring Communities to Save Wildlife for Future Generations.

DZCA honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions -- Inspire Awe: Safety, Care, Connect, and by embracing our Core Values of: Welcoming, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all that we do.

The Senior Director of Philanthropy will serve as a key member of the Philanthropy leadership team, responsible for providing strategic and tactical leadership across major and principal gifts, annual and mid-level giving, planned giving , corporate and foundation partnerships, donor engagement, and campaign readiness. This role leads and develops fundraisers and philanthropy support staff, maintains a portfolio of major and transformational donors and prospects, and partners closely with the Chief Philanthropy Officer, executive leadership, Trustees, and colleagues across the organization to grow philanthropic revenue and deepen donor relationships. The Senior Director will also bring demonstrated campaign experience and help position Denver Zoo for future comprehensive fundraising efforts.

Our team is made up of passionate and diverse professionals dedicated to providing excellent care for our animals while creating meaningful experiences for our guests. If you're excited to contribute your skills in a collaborative and innovative environment, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is the place for you!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement comprehensive philanthropy strategies aligned with the organization's mission, vision, strategic priorities, and long-term goals.
• Partner with the Chief Philanthropy Officer to establish annual fundraising goals, priorities, portfolio strategies, and performance expectations for the philanthropy team.
• Provide leadership, coaching, feedback, and direction to fundraisers and philanthropy support staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, professional growth, and fundraising excellence.
• Provide guidance to gift officers on prospect strategy, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, proposals, and relationship management, and help remove barriers to successful fundraising.
• Model behavior expectations aligned with the Zoo's core values and promote teamwork, forward planning, productivity, inclusion, and clear communication across the department and organization.
• Lead integrated fundraising strategies across major and principal gifts, annual and mid-level giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation partnerships, sponsorships, and other philanthropic revenue opportunities.
• Maintain an active portfolio of major and transformational donors and prospects, building relationships and moving donors through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Support the Chief Philanthropy Officer's portfolio (when needed) of major and transformational relationships and partner on high-level donor, Trustee, and community engagement.
• Set ambitious but achievable fundraising goals, monitor performance and pipeline metrics, and use data to strengthen strategy, forecasting, and results.
• Ensure strong donor stewardship and engagement strategies that deepen relationships, increase retention, and build the pipeline for future major and transformational gifts.
• Represent Denver Zoo in philanthropic, civic, and community settings and build relationships with key donors, prospects, partners, and community leaders.

Campaign Readiness & Execution

• Partner with the Chief Philanthropy Officer and organizational leadership to prepare for and execute future comprehensive fundraising campaigns, translating institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• Apply successful campaign experience to campaign strategy, prospect development, gift planning, volunteer and Trustee engagement, fundraising materials, reporting, and donor recognition.
• Coordinate with colleagues across the Zoo to ensure campaign priorities are well defined, fundable, donor-centered, and supported by accurate information and compelling cases for support.

Management & Administration

• Participate in overall Philanthropy Team strategy development, annual planning, budgeting, and organizational priority setting.
• Develop and manage assigned philanthropy budgets and resources responsibly, ensuring investments support fundraising goals and strong return on effort.
• Provide regular reports and strategic updates to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, executive leadership, and Trustees as appropriate.
• Collaborate across departments to advance donor engagement, events, communications, conservation, animal care, education, and other institutional priorities requiring philanthropic partnership.

Other Responsibilities and Duties

• Other assistance, as designated by the Chief Philanthropy Officer, to support the overall goals of the department and organization.
• Acts as a good steward of the DZCA's resources.
• This position will interact with managers at all levels and staff members across the organization, in addition to members of external organizations.
• The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of DZCA.

Leads, coaches, and develops fundraisers and philanthropy support staff, providing clear goals, feedback, mentorship, accountability, and guidance for success.

Develops and manages assigned philanthropy budgets and supervises fiscal opportunities for the Philanthropy team.

Responsibility for Confidentiality:

Technical / Professional Requirements & Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related field, or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience. An advanced degree and relevant fundraising certifications are desirable.

A minimum of 8 years of progressive fundraising experience with demonstrated success securing major and transformational gifts and cultivating lasting donor relationships.

Experience successfully leading and executing a capital campaign with a goal in the double-digit millions ($10 million+ preferred).

A minimum of 2 years of direct people-management experience leading, coaching, and developing fundraisers and philanthropy support staff (2+ years is preferred).

Experience overseeing multiple fundraising programs and using portfolio, pipeline, and performance data to drive results is required.

Experience within the zoological, conservation, cultural, education, or other mission-driven nonprofit sector is preferred, or any equivalent combination of experience, lived experience, and/or special skills.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Robust people-management experience, with demonstrated ability to inspire, coach, hold accountable, and retain a high-performing team of fundraisers and philanthropy support professionals.

Exemplary collaboration, organizational skills, written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize work and tasks.

Adaptability to produce and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-task and changing environment, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Superior relationship-management and negotiation skills and the ability to handle sensitive information with diplomacy.

A recognized communicator, fundraiser, developer, coach, and mentor who is comfortable working with a broad cross section of people in direct and matrixed relationships.

Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic goals, managing complex fundraising programs, and partnering effectively with executive leaders and volunteer leadership is required.

Position Conditions

• Ability to pass a background check and pre-employment drug and alcohol screen.

Compensation

Range for this position is $138,000 to $172,000 (annually).

A Truly Wild Workplace with Competitive Benefits

Join our team and enjoy a wide variety of great benefits, including:

• Comprehensivemedical, vision, and dentalcoverage
• 403(b) Retirement Accountwith employer match
• Generouspaid time off: vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays
• AFamily DZCA Membershipwith discounted tickets to special events
• Concession and retail discounts,plusfree parking
• Andso much more!

Application Process and Timelines

Application Deadline: October 26, 2026.

Review of applications will begin immediately. DZCA reserves the right to close the position before this date.

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.