Summary
Description
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.
At the University of Denver, we’re doing higher education our way: authentic to the Rocky Mountain Wests confident optimism and pragmatic independence. It sets us apart. We’re preparing young people to be the solutions in their own stories, empowering them to face uncertainty with confidence and uncommon sense.
We’re fiercely ambitious and forward-thinking, surpassing all expectations to redefine success and how to achieve it. And we’re true to our mission as a top-tier private institution dedicated to making the world a better place – contributing to our communities and making positive change in the world.
About DU Advancement
The Denver Difference campaign is our most ambitious yet. It marks a dramatic shift in conventional thinking about what the university experience can and should be. DU is setting the bar with our approach to higher education, developing and preparing students to be successful in life in every way. The University of Denver is building an advancement enterprise that mirrors the excellence and innovation of our great institution. Inclusive of alumni relations, development, and student and alumni career services, DU Advancement is building and fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy in support of our bold vision.
The University of Denver and DU Advancement deeply value inclusive excellence, recognizing that its success depends on how well it values, engages, and includes the rich diversity of constituents. 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.
About the Advancement Campaigns Team
The Campaigns Team, led by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Campaigns, plays a pivotal role in driving the success of the University’s comprehensive campaigns and beyond. This team is responsible for strategizing and executing all campaign-related activities, ensuring the institution’s goals are advanced externally. This is accomplished through crafting experiences that increase the philanthropic commitment and engagement of the University of Denver’s community, including students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends through strategic events and on-brand communications and marketing strategies.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor, Campaigns and working in close partnership with the Senior Director, Advancement Marketing & Creative to lead DU’s Advancement and Campaign Communication (A&CC) team, the senior director develops strategy and leads the execution of a comprehensive and best-in-class advancement communications program.
The Senior Director leads a team of communications professionals and works to advance DUs fundraising, engagement, and career and professional development goals through an integrated communications and marketing effort, overseeing the production of content and fundraising materials that drive and showcase giving and engagement.
Together with the Senior Director of Marketing & Creative, the Senior Director is responsible for annual marketing and communications planning and tactical execution of the marketing and communications framework for The Denver Difference campaign, DU’s $1B campaign to reimage the future of higher education.
The Senior Director is an exceptional writer and a collaborative communications partner, working across DU’s Advancement team and the university’s marketing and communications infrastructure to lead and support storytelling, impact reporting, fundraising communications, media relations, crisis communications and issues management, special events, executive communications, and internal communications.
Essential Functions
Leadership and Team Management
- Provide day-to-day leadership and direction for members of the A&CC communications team, providing oversight and contributing to the production of fundraising collateral and cases, impact reporting, storytelling, print and digital newsletters and publications, web content, scripting, gift proposals, presentation materials and executive communications for advancement and university senior leadership.
- Manage the A&CC team budget in collaboration with the Senior Director of Marketing and Creative and manage the execution of contracts and vendor relationships as necessary.
- Provide a high level of support to senior advancement and university leadership, including executive writing, preparation of high-level presentation decks and talking points, and proposal writing for transformational gift opportunities.
Strategic Planning and Development
- Together with the Senior Director of Marketing & Creative, lead the development of an advancement-wide annual marketing & communications plan that ensures communications and marketing activities are aligned with Advancement strategic objectives.
- In collaboration with the Senior Director of Marketing & Creative, develop and execute a strategic audience roadmap and content strategy plan across multiple channels and communication vehicles for external and internal stakeholders and constituencies.
- In collaboration with the Senior Director, Marketing & Creative, lead the development of university-wide communications cascades for deploying advancement content, including Discover the Difference deliverables, and ensure that advancement and campaign priorities and fundraising opportunities are well-represented and integrated into university-wide storytelling.
Communications and Content Creation
- Chief editor for communications and publications produced across advancement, ensuring high-quality content, writing, and messaging and alignment with university brand and development campaign messaging standards.
- Execute all communications elements of The Denver Difference marketing & communications framework and annual plan, ensuring that our bold campaign for the University of Denver is accessible, relevant, and inspiring to key audiences, internal and external stakeholders, and potential donors.
- Lead strategic storytelling, identifying and developing story packages with A&CC team members that showcase and illustrate campaign priorities, engagement activities and philanthropic impact.
- Lead collaboration between advancement and the DU Magazine editorial team, ensuring that magazine content and distribution aligns with alumni and donor interest and advancement communication goals.
Collaboration and Representation
- Represent advancement in university-wide communication planning, process, and collaboration, and serve as advancement’s primary point of contact and chief communicator for issues management and crisis communication activities and other university activities that necessitate advancement communication with alumni & donor audiences.
- Lead advancement and campaign media relations activities with DU’s central media relations team.
- Work with the Advancement Events team to support event messaging and programming, including overall program development, speaker preparation, scripting, marketing messaging and other event elements that support the delivery of outstanding guest experiences.
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
- Exceptional writer and storyteller, with the ability to write compelling copy across a variety of styles and voices.
- Understanding of development communications and the ability to research and develop fundraising cases and collateral across a variety of topics and academic disciplines.
- Outstanding communications skills and demonstrated understanding of communications theory principles and practice.
- Comprehensive knowledge of every step in the communication materials production process to guide staff, outside vendors and teammates in creating outstanding, best-in-class products.
- Creative and strategic thinker with the ability to inspire others, foster cross-divisional collaboration, and build outstanding collaborative relationships across a diverse organization
- Excellent organizational and project management skills and the ability to successfully lead projects from concept to completion.
- Experience building, leading, motivating, assessing, and holding accountable a highly engaged and cohesive team, preferably in a higher education fundraising environment.
- Proven track record managing programs, vendor relationships and budgets.
- Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and juggle multiple demands in a complex and fast-paced work environment.
- The highest standards of professional and personal behavior; excellent judgment and the ability to treat confidential information with discretion.
- The ability to practice and adhere to organizational values.
Required Qualifications
We welcome applications from all candidates, including first-generation applicants and individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as veterans, those with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. If you meet the minimum requirements listed below and are enthusiastic about the work, we strongly encourage you to apply.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience (Veterans with equivalent combination of military certification/education and experience may substitute for the degree qualification)
- 7 years of communications leadership experience
- 3 years of supervisory experience
- Demonstrably exceptional writing skills across a variety of styles
- Experience developing and executing integrated marketing and communications plans and producing best-in-class deliverables
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree in a communications-intensive discipline, including communications management, strategic communications, or journalism.
- Experience working in a university setting or similarly complex non-profit environment.
Working Environment
- Standard open office environment
- Noise level is quiet to moderate
Physical Activities
- Ability to use 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. In accordance with the University’s flexible work policy, this position is eligible to be considered for partial remote work. Further details regarding this plan will be determined with the hiring manager and are dependent on the division and team specific needs.
Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) January 20, 2025.
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 14.
Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $95,000 – $120,000.
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.
Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran 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; the Americans with Disabilities Act; 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; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.
