Compensation: $65,000 to $72,000. FLSA exempt. Western offers an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan, dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, and other insurance options. After one year of employment, Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full time in undergraduate programs for up to four years.
Required Education:
4 Year Degree
Western Colorado University invites applications for the full-time position of Director of Development. The position reports to Assistant Vice President, Development, works closely with the Development Team (Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director, WCU Foundation, Director of Donor Relations and Outreach, Director of Advancement Services, and Director of Finance), and is responsible for traveling at least one week per month to meet with major donors.
The Director of Development (DoD) is responsible for securing major gifts of $7,500 or more by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors, with a focus on supporting Athletics, the Mountaineer Gala, and other key campus projects. This role offers an exciting opportunity to collaborate strategically with WCU Board of Directors, the Development team, Athletics staff and coaches, University leadership, faculty, staff, and students to engage donors and prospective donors in meaningful ways. The DoD will manage a portfolio of donors, with a significant emphasis on cultivating new and existing relationships on Colorado’s Front Range, while developing innovative strategies to meet and exceed annual fundraising goals.
One impactful aspect of this role is leading the fundraising components of the Mountaineer Gala, WCU’s premier fundraising event, in Denver, CO. The DoD will also play a critical role in utilizing Raiser’s Edge for tracking donor engagement, supporting Athletics fundraising with a focus on Elevation Club donors, and building fundraising strategy alongside campus partners. Success in this role involves regular travel and active participation in University events, making it a dynamic and highly visible position within the University community.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree. Prior fund raising experience. Ability to travel for at least one week each month. Will work occasional nights and weekends. Must have the ability to handle sensitive information confidentially. Must be proficient with technology including CRM databases (Raiser’s Edge), Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Outlook.
Preferred Qualifications: Higher education fund raising experience. Graduate Degree. A degree from Western Colorado University. Business, sales, communications, advertising, or marketing experience. Fundraising certificates including Certified Fund Raising Executive. Experience working with Blackbaud products including Raiser’s Edge.
Western is a residential, public university with an enrollment of 3,400 students who come from across Colorado and all fifty states. Western is a member of the NCAA Division II, competing in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC); some 370 student athletes participate in our 14 sponsored sports teams. Our faculty and staff members share a strong commitment to personalized education with the liberal arts as its core. They are student-oriented, collegial, energetic, and engaged in the campus and community. The curriculum provides flexibility where experiential learning and interdisciplinary approaches are valued. Western supports diversity, equity, and inclusivity of all types including ability (physical, mental), social class, racial/ethnic, linguistic, religion, sexual orientation, age, experience, gender, and cultural. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEII Committee charge. The University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, a rural community 200 miles southwest of Denver. At an elevation of 7,700 feet in the southern Rocky Mountains, the Gunnison Valley provides exceptional year-round outdoor recreational opportunities. Professionals have chosen Western because of ...the quality of life combined with rewarding careers. Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university.