Associate Director, Development Communications
University of Denver

Job Info

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About the University of Denver
The University of Denver (DU), a private university, is the oldest independent university in the Rocky Mountain region, with approximately 12,900 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. DU is classified as an R1: Doctoral University - very high research activity as a Doctoral/Research University. Financial Times Higher Education, U.S. News, and The Princeton Review have consistently ranked DU among the nations top 100 universities and among the top three universities in the state of Colorado.

The University of Denver embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that define our region and our history. With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21st-century education, and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, we open a world of opportunity to students and empower Pioneers to make a difference around the world.

About DU Advancement
The University of Denver is building an advancement enterprise that mirrors the excellence of our great institution. Advancement efforts at DU have a tremendous impact through our relationships with DUs remarkable students, dedicated donors, inspiring alumni, engaged families, and wonderful friends. DU is committed to building and fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy in support of our institution as we implement the DU IMPACT 2025 vision. The University of Denver and DU Advancement deeply value inclusive excellence, recognizing that its success is dependent on how well it values, engages, and includes the rich diversity of constituents. You can learn more about inclusive excellence at the University of Denver by visiting The Cultural Centers digital home. As a part of that effort, we are continuing to grow a team of collaborative, curious, results-oriented, and mission-driven advancement professionals who value inclusivity and who possess a deep respect for one another and for our shared profession.

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Development Communications develops and leads production of fundraising content that inspires strong philanthropic support for the University of Denver. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor, Advancement and Campaign Communications, this position leads the conceptualization, research, writing, editing, and project-managing for digital and print communications in support of advancements cultivation, fundraising and stewardship efforts.

The Associate Director, Development Communications is an exceptional writer and strong project manager who can create compelling narratives and impactful collateral pieces that support philanthropic priorities. Working in close partnership with frontline fundraisers, advancement colleagues and academic leaders, they will be a collaborative, strategic, creative, highly motivated and deadline-oriented team member who is inspired to turn institutional priorities into fundraising successes.

Essential Functions

• Articulate the vision and case for support for DU and DUs ambitious fundraising campaign to a wide range of external audiences through a wide variety of digital, print and scripted communications.
• Working with university faculty and leadership as required, research, write, edit, and project-manage design and production of a broad range of customized digital and print communications that engage and inspire support from DUs donors, including high-impact fundraising collateral; gift proposals, case statements, concept papers and pitch decks.
• Develop communication materials and messaging for activities essential to the success of DUs fundraising campaign, including direct response campaigns, high-level stewardship reporting, leadership communications, presentation decks, volunteer board activities, scripting, and programming support for signature events.
• Identify opportunities for storytelling that supports philanthropic cases and work in collaboration with Advancement & Campaign Communications team members to translate those opportunities to deliverables (print, digital, video, etc.) Develop an in-depth knowledge of the University that enhances proposals and other written materials in development.
• Manage the development communications workflow and project timelines, collaborating as needed on materials that require design or digital production. Manage a complex production schedule, setting and adjusting priorities and monitoring progress while meeting deadlines. Provide direction to the work of the Part-Time Development & Campaign Communications Specialist.
• Develop a robust content library and create proposal toolkits and templates for the development team. Meet with internal stakeholders to identify and understand communications goals and identify opportunities to develop effective fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship communications that support fundraising and engagement efforts across the university. Serve as a resource to advancement staff and leadership seeking information and assistance related to proposals and philanthropic priorities.
• Edit and proofread fundraising communications and proposals written by advancement colleagues, ensure that content is reviewed and approved as required prior to publication or distribution. Advise on and support a variety of advancement writing projects for development, alumni engagement and career and professional development as needed.

University Citizenship

• Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all central and unit-based advancement functions and campus colleagues to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative advancement practices.
• Model "One DU" leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Broad working knowledge of creative proposal writing for major gifts, marketing, and digital communications with a proven record of developing, executing and assessing strategic and tactical communication and marketing plans.
• Demonstrated ability as a versatile, creative and persuasive writer with strong grammar, spelling and proofreading skills.
• Excellent research skills and the ability to gather and synthesize large quantities of information, organize ideas and turn institutional objectives and messages into compelling cases for philanthropic support.
• Ability to handle confidential information with a high level of discretion.
• Ability to produce high-quality work on deadline while managing multiple projects, priorities and deadlines.
• Effective presentation skills for publications, websites and other media and ability to develop, package and produce editorial content for a variety of channels and mediums.
• Facile technology user with experience working with project management tools and the ability to learn new platforms quickly.
• A strong track record of planning and executing complex marketing/communications projects, coordinating the roles of multiple project contributors, setting priorities and schedules, and meeting deadlines with a minimum of supervision.
• Exceptional ability to write, superior editing and grammar skills and strong cross-channel writing skills, including the ability to shift voice and tone based on audience and channel
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365.
• Knowledge of the university fundraising profession and methods of higher education institutional advancement and fundraising.
• Familiarity with academic, scientific, and/or technical subjects and a demonstrated ability to translate these to a lay audience

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of education or work experience (Veterans with equivalent combination of military certification/education and experience may substitute for the degree qualification).
• 3 years of fundraising communications experience and proposal writing experience in an academic or non-profit setting

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with InDesign, Photoshop and other Adobe Suite products
• Relevant experience in a university setting

Working Environment

• Open office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions often occur, and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.
• Eligible for hybrid work with supervisor approval.

Physical Activities

• Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., some nights and weekends as required

Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) June 20, 2023.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 11

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $65,000-$80,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidates sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university's complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non‑discrimination‑statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

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