Greeley, Colorado, United States · On-site
$90k–$100k/yr
POSITION TITLE: Director of Development COMPENSATION RANGE: 90,000.00 - 100,000.00 USD per year EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Professional Administrative DEPARTMENT: Office of Development TARGET HIRE DATE: 10/1/2026 BENEFIT…
Skills: Major Gift Solicitation, Donor Stewardship, Portfolio Management, Relationship Building, Strategic Planning
Greeley, Colorado, United States • On-site
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The Director of Development identifies, cultivates, and solicits major gifts of $25,000 or more from alumni and community partners. This role manages a portfolio of 100-125 prospects and collaborates with academic leadership to maximize philanthropic support for the university.
Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree and at least three years of fundraising experience, preferably within higher education. Proven success in implementing multi-year cultivation strategies and achieving financial performance metrics is required.
POSITION TITLE: Director of Development DEPARTMENT: Office of Development BENEFITS: UNC’s Career Hub |  |
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 08/07/2026.
The Director of Development
identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards major gifts ($25,000+)
to the University of Northern Colorado from alumni, friends, and community
partners. This position carries out these responsibilities for an academic
college and/or program(s), non-academic college special initiatives, overall university
priorities and an assigned travel territory.
This position reports to the
Assistant Vice President for Development and is a member of the centralized
Development Team within the Division of University Advancement. This individual
must foster inclusivity while working closely and collaboratively with all departments
within the division to ensure that philanthropic relationships, events and
solicitations are donor centric in order to maximize support of UNC. This
incumbent also works closely and coordinates with the College of Education and
Behavioral Sciences administration, faculty and support staff to ensure that
they are appropriately informed and engaged in development activities.
1. Proactively manages a portfolio of approximately 100-125 qualified major and blended gift prospects.
-Visits a minimum of 144 prospects and donors yearly, engaging in substantive conversations that strategically move them toward making a major gift ($25,000+).
-Travels (minimum of 4 times per year) to assigned territory.
-Develops effective plans and compelling proposals to secure major gifts from assigned prospects.
-Solicits identified prospects for major gifts for university and assigned area priorities, preparing written and oral presentations that address the donor’s philanthropic interests and university and/or unit priorities.
-Visits identified prospects for the purpose of assessing the capacity and willingness to make a gift.
-Documents completed and anticipated moves with prospects in alumni/development database in a timely and accurate way.
-Creates and implements effective stewardship activities working in collaboration with the donor relations coordinator.
-Works closely with the prospect researcher to ensure that prospects and donors have well-documented and comprehensive records and that portfolios are accurate and up-to-date; responds to referrals of major gift prospects from the prospect researcher and other sources in a timely manner.
-Works with academic leadership, development colleagues and volunteers to establish a network to assist in identification and cultivation of donor prospects.
2. Fosters an environment for successful fundraising by preparing campus partners to participate effectively and appropriately in development activities and prospect meetings.
3. Models behavior that demonstrates positive and respectful engagement and an approach that emphasizes action for the good of the university as a whole.
4. Actively participates in prospect management, development, alumni and community relations, and key campus meetings as needed.
5. Partners with the Alumni and Community Relations Team to strengthen donor and prospect engagement by leveraging key events, volunteer opportunities and other strategic initiatives that deepen a prospect’s relationship with the university.
6. Works effectively and collaboratively with UNC Foundation colleagues on the execution of gift agreements, creation of endowed/spendable funds and receipting and stewarding of gifts.
7. Follows university and development policies and procedures.
8. Participates in ongoing enhancement of fund-raising skills through professional training.
9. Other duties as assigned.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Minimum of three years of fund-raising experience, preferably in higher education.
-Documented success in personally implementing sophisticated, multi-year cultivation strategies that use a relationship-building and moves management approach leading to successful gift closure.
-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.
-Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to university business and confidential prospect information.
-Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person, writing, and by phone.
-Willingness and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
-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.
-Able to secure meetings and qualify new prospects.
-Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.
-Ability to prepare complex and detailed proposals and related materials.
-Attention to detail and thoroughness in completing assigned duties.
-Demonstrable experience in developing stewardship plans leading to additional investments.
-Demonstrated ability to articulate the value of a UNC education and represent the institution well.
-Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfort working in donor/prospect database systems.
-Ability and willingness to travel.
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. Recognized
as a top university for social mobility, UNC is proud to
be a Hispanic
Serving Institution and to serve more than 44% of our undergraduates who are the first in their
family 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 working
environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the UNC
community. In accordance with federal and state law, UNC prohibits unlawful
discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, national origin,
religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic
information, and/or veteran status. UNC also prohibits discrimination based on
gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose
a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for,
assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to
discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally protected expression will not be
considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the
responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure UNC’s
compliance with this policy.
ADA Accommodations
The University of Northern Colorado is committed
to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you
require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing
or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct
your inquiries to 970-351-2718 or [email protected].
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.
Support throughout your career, from orientation to retirement and everything in between.
Welcome! Your UNC Human Resources office is here to support you throughout your career, from orientation to retirement and everything in between. What We Do/Our Mission The Human Resource Services department’s Mission is to provide quality programs, exceptional customer service, and expertise in all areas of human resources to the University and its employees in order for UNC to foster academic excellence and provide a comprehensive learning environment. Commitment to Service Human Resource Services believes that our employees are our strength, and is committed to serving all employees of the University of Northern Colorado in an ethical, fair, courteous, responsive, and professional manner.
Offices: 898 17th St, Greeley, Colorado 80631, US
View all jobs at University of Northern Colorado Human ResourcesSupport throughout your career, from orientation to retirement and everything in between.
Welcome! Your UNC Human Resources office is here to support you throughout your career, from orientation to retirement and everything in between. What We Do/Our Mission The Human Resource Services department’s Mission is to provide quality programs, exceptional customer service, and expertise in all areas of human resources to the University and its employees in order for UNC to foster academic excellence and provide a comprehensive learning environment. Commitment to Service Human Resource Services believes that our employees are our strength, and is committed to serving all employees of the University of Northern Colorado in an ethical, fair, courteous, responsive, and professional manner.
Offices: 898 17th St, Greeley, Colorado 80631, US
View all jobs at University of Northern Colorado Human Resources