Associate Vice Chancellor, Alumni Engagement and Career Development

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 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. 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 Center’s digital home. As a part of that effort, we are continuing to grow a team of inclusive, collaborative, inquisitive, innovative, ethical, and transparent advancement professionals who value inclusivity and who possess a deep respect for one another and for our shared profession. 

About the Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice Chancellor and serving the Advancement Senior Management Team, the Associate Vice Chancellor, Alumni Engagement and Career Development will be responsible for developing, fostering, and advancing networks of University of Denver supporters, ambassadors, patrons, and promoters.  The Associate Vice Chancellor provides vision to the University’s integrated alumni/constituent engagement and student and alumni career and professional program.

In this role, they will connect DU constituents to each other and to the University in strategic and meaningful ways, building and sustaining a strong pipeline of support for the University and DU’s most ambitious fundraising effort to date.  The Alumni Engagement and Career Development departments within University Advancement will fulfill specific value propositions unique to each constituent community.  They must understand the needs and expectations of constituents based on their affiliation, affinity, and capacity and translate those needs into actionable, measurable advancement programming, engagement and philanthropic outcomes.  The Associate Vice Chancellor will play a key role in strategically engaging DU networks in the Campaign and provide executive leadership to DU’s Alumni. 

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

Essential Functions

• Provide overarching vision to Alumni Engagement and Career Development teams in support of the mission, vision, values, and goals of Advancement and the University of Denver.
• Set vision for the Alumni Engagement and Career Development efforts related to the University’s multi-year, comprehensive campaign.  Integrate Alumni Engagement and Career Development programming to support the DU’s mission and the Campaign with a specific focus on the Chancellor’s 4D student experience.
• Define, implement, and staff an alumni volunteer structure to ensure active, involved, empowered and effective volunteer support of the campaign effort and DU.
• Provide executive leadership and vision to DU’s University-wide Alumni Council and engage the Council to help support DU and the campaign.
• In coordination with other members of the Senior Vice Chancellor’s senior management team, assist in the preparation of materials and presentations to the Board of Trustees and its committees.
• Develop and provide written and oral reports to University leadership, staff and volunteer groups as necessary.
• Drive efforts to connect alumni, families, and friends to the University and to each other through alumni networks, affinity groups formed by common demographic and cultural attributes, reunion programming, and extensive local and regional volunteer opportunities.
• Lead efforts to support the development of broad industry connections that support the successful – and mutually beneficial – placement of DU students and alumni.
• Develop and maintains collaborative relationships and programs across campus including academic colleges, Admissions, Marketing and Communications, Athletics, and Student Affairs
• Partner with the Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement on major projects and initiatives in support of departmental objectives and university department, college, and overall goals.
• Utilize findings, study national trends and adopt best practices to assist in the development of programs and messaging to cultivate life-long relationships between DU and its constituents.
• In collaboration with the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Career and Professional Development, Executive Director of Unit/College Engagement, and the Executive Director of Regional Advancement and Volunteer Engagement, lead the Alumni Engagement and Career Development operating budget development and forecasting.
• 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 DU's faculty, students and alumni.  Ability to conceptualize and articulate key endeavors that engage alumni and attract donors to DU.
• Sophisticated understanding of mission-driven institutions, particularly colleges and universities.
• Detailed knowledge of engagement and fundraising strategies, programs and operations.
• 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 alumni engagement efforts 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 (Veterans with equivalent combination of military certification/education and experience may substitute for the degree qualification)
• 10 years of experience working within alumni relations, career services, and/or development functions, preferably in a higher education or similar complex environment.
• 5 years of personnel and program management experience with a demonstrated commitment to coaching, mentoring, and developing team members.
• Experience in successfully managing complex initiatives from the planning stages through execution and analysis.

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
• This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule

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

Statement of Other Duties Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Statement of Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

The University of Denver is committed to enhancing the diversity of its faculty and staff and encourages applications from women, minorities, members of the LBGTQ+ community, people with disabilities and veterans. The University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) February 27, 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 18.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $175,000-$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.

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.