Director of Development

Summary

Description

Red Rocks Community College exemplifies extraordinary. We are dedicated to our Vision and Mission, which promote student achievement, staff empowerment, and community engagement. We live our values: Integrity, Collaboration, Learning, Inclusiveness, and Communication.

RRCC seeks applicants who understand and have first-hand experience working with diverse populations, which may include but are not limited to, historically marginalized populations such as people of color, LGBTQ+ community members, veterans, first generation graduates, and people with disabilities.

Summary of Position

The Red Rocks Community College Foundation advances the mission of Red Rocks Community College by generating philanthropic support for scholarships, student success programs, faculty excellence, and strategic institutional priorities. Since 1991, the Foundation has raised more than $28 million and awarded over $11 million in scholarships, helping thousands of students access and complete their education.

The Director of Development is a key fundraising leader responsible for managing a portfolio of major and leadership gift prospects and advancing the College’s philanthropic impact. This role focuses on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual, corporate, and foundation donors, including engaging a newly acquired alumni base to build a future donor pipeline, and leading the Foundation’s planned giving (legacy giving) program. The Director also leads specific donor relations initiatives, including select events and developing regular donor communications in partnership with Marketing or external partners. Working closely with the Executive Director, Foundation colleagues, College partners, and Board members, this position contributes to strategic development goals and offers the opportunity to help build and shape a more comprehensive development program. 

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising and donor stewardship practices, with experience managing a portfolio of donors and prospects.

• Familiarity with philanthropic funds, endowments, and restricted gifts, including stewardship and reporting requirements.
• Ability to plan, execute, and evaluate donor engagement initiatives, including events and regular communications.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build collaborative relationships with donors, colleagues, and leadership.
• Experience using donor databases or fundraising CRM systems.
• Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and contribute strategically to team goals.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. A combination of education and directly related professional experience can substitute for a Bachelor’s degree.
• At least three years of professional experience in nonprofit development, advancement, or fundraising, including portfolio management.
• Experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major or leadership gift donors.
• Experience planning or managing donor engagement initiatives, such as events, newsletters, or other communications.
• Experience with planned giving, including donor cultivation, stewardship, or marketing communications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, higher education, or a related field.
• Experience working in a higher education foundation or advancement office.
• Experience with donor databases or fundraising CRM systems 
• Experience managing planned giving programs or supporting planned giving marketing and communications.
• Experience planning or managing donor engagement events or recognition programs.

Physical & Cognitive Demands

The following are some of the physical and cognitive demands commonly associated with this position.

• Occasionally moves, positions, and transports files and office materials weighing up to 10 lbs.
• This is largely a sedentary role. This position operates in an office environment and constantly uses a computer, and routinely uses standard office equipment including phones, copiers, etc.
• The person in this position constantly communicates with internal and external constituents and students. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Cognitive demands include comparing, copying, computing, compiling, analyzing, coordinating, synthesizing, negotiating, communicating, instructing, and interpersonal skills.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

Red Rocks Community College provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process and/or during the course of employment, please contact Jennifer Matthews, Executive Director of Human Resources, at (303) 914-6298 or Jennifer.Matthews@rrcc.edu.

Starting Salary

Starting salary range for this position is $95,454 – $105,000 annually, commensurate with education and experience. This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt position. This position has been exempted from the State Classified System.

To Apply

All applicants must submit:

1. Resume
2. Detailed letter of interest (cover letter) addressing the job announcement.  

Candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications as related to the duties and responsibilities of the position. Candidates may redact any personally identifiable information on their materials including but are not limited to age, date of birth, and dates of attendance and date of graduation for educational institutions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Visit our Careers website to submit your application.  

If you have questions regarding this position, please contact us at HR@rrcc.edu.

Benefits

At RRCC, we value and uphold a commitment to a workplace that focuses on employees. In addition to rewarding and meaningful work, we offer a comprehensive selection of benefits to support our employees, including:

• Strong, flexible retirement benefits including Colorado PERA’s Defined Benefit Plan or Defined Contribution Plan. RRCC contributes 21.61% of your salary on your behalf. Supplemental retirement plans including 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans are also available.
• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, and flexible savings benefits.
• Employee assistance services such as counseling, professional coaching, financial planning, and more, are available to you and members of your household at no cost through the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP).
• Generous paid time off benefits including up to 15 hours of annual leave and 10 hours sick leave per month, 10 paid holidays per year, and up to 18 hours for academic and volunteer activities.
• Tuition assistance for employees and their eligible dependents at any community college within the Colorado Community College System or CCCOnline.
• State employees are eligible to participate in BenefitHub which offers discounts for retailers and services and other benefits resources.
• Employees may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Additional information about this program can be found on the Colorado Division of Human Resources website.

Notice to all Applicants

• Final candidate will be subject to successful completion of a background check, and, if applicable, a motor vehicle record review.
• Former employees of the Colorado Community College System, or one of its 13 colleges, who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, must disclose this information in their application material.
• Final candidates are required to submit unofficial transcripts for non-instructional positions and official transcripts for instructional positions to Human Resources within thirty (30) days of hire.
• Direct deposit of payroll is a condition of employment.
• Red Rocks Community College participates in E-Verify.
• Red Rocks Community College is a tobacco and smoke-free campus.
• All RRCC employees, except student employees, contribute to Colorado PERA at a fixed percentage of their earnings and do not contribute to Social Security.
• Finalist must be willing to make Colorado their primary workplace.

RRCC/CCCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Red Rocks Community College and Colorado Community College System believes when all human qualities are regarded with dignity and respect and when everyone has access to the individualized support they need, all will have the opportunity to thrive. In all aspects of the employment process, decisions are made based on merit, competence, performance and business need without regard to sex, gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, familial status, veteran or military status, pregnancy status, marital status, religion, genetic information, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Our Accommodations and Non-Discrimination policies, plus other helpful information, can be found publicly at https://www.rrcc.edu/disclaimers-and-legal-notices.

We also believe in going further. At RRCC we have a focus on equity and belonging. We strive to create a community in which everyone feels respected and valued for their unique talents and contributions, and where people from all backgrounds are able to achieve their goals. Red Rocks Community College acknowledges that inclusion and equity are multifaceted and complex concepts, and that our efforts in these areas will require innovation, intention, and an institutional commitment to these principles, across our entire college community.

Red Rocks Community College is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). As we move toward full HSI status, we are focused on servingness and are committed to creating a learning environment where equity is expected and our Latinx students thrive.

For information regarding Red Rocks Community College Security, including Clery Act/Crime Statistics for the campuses and surrounding area, please visit: https://www.rrcc.edu/campus-police.