Associate Vice Chancellor, Campaigns

About DU Advancement

In preparation for the most ambitious philanthropic campaign in the University’s history, 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 DU’s 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 and prepare for a fundraising campaign with a bold and courageous goal.

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 Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. As a part of that effort, we are continuing to grow a team of inclusive, collaborative, inquisitive, innovative, ethical, and transparent advancement professionals who possess deep mutual respect for one another and for our shared profession.  

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Campaign is responsible for the orchestration of strategy and execution of all activities relating to the success of the University’s comprehensive campaign as well as managing associated efforts advancing imperatives of the institution forward externally.  Working in close collaboration with key stakeholders such as senior University leaders, trustees and volunteers, creates shared ownership, integration of strategic ideas and tools to drive an agenda that ensures the success of the campaign. 

This position will partner with the Senior Vice Chancellor of Advancement, the Associate Vice Chancellor of Development, Associate Vice Chancellor of Alumni Engagement and Careers and the Associate Vice Chancellor of Advancement Operations, ensuring optimization and leveraging of integrated goals and initiatives.  This role has will provide leadership and management support for the staff associated with campaign operations, advancement and campaign communications, and special events.

The successful candidate will have significant experience working closely with senior academic leaders, deans or division chairs and other faculty; measurable success leading campaign efforts and demonstrated experience building and sustaining a high-performing enterprise.  They must bring a collaborative approach to leadership, including an understanding of how to successfully establish a cohesive partnership across the organization, so that the resources and activities of all groups operate together for the highest levels of effectiveness.

Essential Functions

• Collaborate with the Senior Vice Chancellor of Advancement, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development, Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Engagement and Career, and the Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement Operations and others to develop the campaign plan and recommend overall campaign strategies including case for support, themes, goals, timeline, volunteer structure, budget and staffing, naming and recognition strategies, communications planning and campaign outreach and events.
• Work with the Chancellor, Provost, academic leadership and Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement to manage the campaign priority setting process.
• Define, implement and staff a campaign volunteer structure that ensures active, involved, empowered and effective volunteer support of the campaign effort.
• Convene Campaign Strategy Group.
• Translate the campaign plan into action and ensure progress towards goals by the campaign team, across Advancement and with campaign volunteer groups.
• Set strategy and direction for communications efforts related to the University’s multi-year, comprehensive campaign. Integrate efforts within the University’s overall identity and messaging platform central Marketing and Communications team.
• Provide management oversight and support to direct reports in assigned functional areas including Advancement Communications,
• Special Events and Campaign Operations.
• Provide leadership and counsel to the Campaign team for development communication strategies and production of hundreds of deliverables vital to the overall success of our efforts.
• In coordination with other members of the Senior Vice Chancellor’s senior management team, assist in the preparation of campaign-related materials and presentations to the Board of Trustees, its committees and the Campaign Cabinet.
• Manage efforts across DU to create clarity, consensus and alignment on all campaign efforts. Convene the Campaign Steering Group.
• Develop and provide written and oral reports to University leadership, staff and volunteer groups as necessary.
• Manage the campaign budget and prepare budget narratives, requests and updates for submission to Institute leadership and faculty as appropriate.
• Collaborate with senior colleagues to ensure solicitation pipeline is sufficient to meet campaign targets.
• Develop strategy and conceptualize methods to ensure robust monitoring and reporting of campaign progress to internal and external constituents.
• Conceptualize campaign events, including the public launch and ongoing events, managed by advancement and the central University events teams.
• Produce all campaign-related content (print and web-based), including the campaign case statement and all supporting narratives.
• In partnership with Institute strategic communications, promote and publicize news about the campaign and its individual gifts and milestones.
• Perform other special duties as requested by the Senior Vice Chancellor of Advancement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Authentic curiosity about the academic and public good vision of the University of Denver as well as a strong appreciation for the extraordinary accomplishments and challenges of DUs faculty and students. Ability to conceptualize and articulate key endeavors that attract donors to DU.
• Sophisticated understanding of mission-driven institutions, particularly colleges and universities.
• Detailed knowledge of fundraising strategies, programs and operations.
• Thorough knowledge of all phases of fundraising including principal gifts, constituency-based fundraising, major gifts, planning giving, regional and international fundraising programs.
• Aptitude for combining strategic planning and project management skills in identifying, analyzing, developing and implementing short- and long-term strategies, approaches, metrics and incentives.
• Exceptional oral, written and presentation skills.
• Stature, credibility and superior interpersonal and relationship skills to facilitate collaborative work with colleagues and peers across the Institute and with external partners and constituents. Ability to build and sustain high-performing teams.
• Dedication to excellence in all aspects of individual, collective and organizational performance.
• Tolerance for and ability to work productively in the context of ambiguity, uncertainty and change.
• Excellent project management skills and a proven track record of successfully recruiting, training, managing and motivating volunteers.
• Comfortable with a flexible work schedule, including significant travel for major donor cultivation and some evening and weekend work.
• Demonstrated ability to practice and adhere to organizational values.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education or work experience
• 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the broad work of advancement in a higher education or non-profit setting.
• Experience setting and meeting defined campaign objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in management, public administration, communications or other related field or equivalent experience within the work of advancement.
• Experience as a major and principal gift fundraiser with a successful track record of engagement with prospects and donors at the six-, seven- and even eight-figure levels.
• A working understanding of a university environment.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment
• Noise level is quiet to moderate

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. with assistance

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) Friday, September 23, 2022.

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 18.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $190,000-$225,000.

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 candidate’s 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.