Director of Advancement - Denver

The · Director of Advancement · (DoA) is a senior executive leader responsible for the strategic direction, management, and execution of all fundraising and philanthropic activities for Urban Peak. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a member of the Senior Leadership Te ...

Job description

The
Director of Advancement
(DoA) is a senior executive leader responsible for the strategic direction, management, and execution of all fundraising and philanthropic activities for Urban Peak. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the DoA leads a comprehensive development program that supports an approximately $12 million annual operating budget and advances Urban Peak's mission to end youth homelessness.

This role balances hands-on fundraising leadership with departmental management and organizational strategy.

The Director of Development builds and leads a high-performing development function; partners closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leaders; and ensures that fundraising efforts are aligned with programmatic priorities, organizational values, and long-term sustainability.

This is a mission-critical role for a fast-paced, highly recognized organization and is ideal for a seasoned development professional who thrives in dynamic environments, values accountability, and is energized by working closely with a capable and visionary CEO.

Who You Are



Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, or Nonprofit Management or other related field
Minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive, successful nonprofit fundraising experience
Preferred certifications and/or licensure
Bachelor's degree preferred, or commensurate years of leading development efforts.
Demonstrated experience leading development teams and managing complex fundraising programs.
Proven success in major gifts, institutional fundraising, and donor relationship management.
Strong strategic thinking, organizational, and project management skills.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building abilities.
Commitment to equity, trauma-informed care, and positive youth development.
Lived experience reflective of the youth we serve encouraged but not required
Understanding of the provision of and commitment to trauma-informed care and positive youth development
Ability to travel locally and represent the organization at external meetings and events.

Ability to use second language in written and verbal communication is desired but not a requirement (most common languages in the Denver Metro area).

Must be team-oriented and able to coordinate with various departments and staff.
Must be computer proficient and possess experience of Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel).

Must be insurable as a driver on Urban Peak's auto liability policy in order to conduct business on behalf of the agency or transport youth using an Urban Peak vehicle and an approved personal vehicle.

Ability to pass both federal and state background checks
Ability to pass pre-employment TB Screening
Ability to pass pre-employment physical examination.

What You Will Do


1. Organizational & Development Leadership
Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team on organizational growth, sustainability, and external engagement.
Lead, manage, and develop the Development team, including hiring, supervision, performance management, and professional development.
Oversee and coordinate external consultants and contractors related to fundraising, marketing, and communications.
Establish and manage development systems, policies, procedures, and infrastructure to support efficient and scalable fundraising operations.
Create and manage the Development department annual budget, ensuring fiscal accountability and alignment with organizational goals.


2. Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Generation
Design, implement, and oversee a comprehensive annual and multi-year fundraising strategy that includes:
Major gifts and individual giving
Corporate part erships and sponsorships
Foundation and government grants (local, state, and federal)
Special events and campaigns (including capital campaigns, as applicable)
Donor communications, appeals, and stewardship
Personally manage a portfolio of major donors and high-capacity prospects.
Lead relationship-based fundraising and moves management strategies across the development team.
Analyze fundraising performance data and donor trends; adjust strategies to meet or exceed revenue goals.


3. Board & Development Committee Leadership
Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors to build a strong culture of philanthropy.
Staff and lead the Board Development Committee, including agenda setting, materials preparation, and follow-up.
Recruit, train, and support board members in fundraising roles, including donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Ensure board members are meaningfully engaged and accountable for agreed-upon fundraising expectations.


4. Donor Relations, Marketing & Communications
Ensure best-in-class donor stewardship practices that build long-term relationships and donor loyalty.
Oversee donor communications, marketing campaigns, and fundraising-related messaging in collaboration with internal staff and external partners.
Ensure accurate donor tracking, reporting, and analytics through Raiser's Edge or similar CRM systems.
Represent Urban Peak externally with donors, funders, community leaders, and partners.


5. Cross Department Collaboration & Compliance
Collaborate with Finance to ensure accurate revenue forecasting, gift processing, and financial reporting.
Partner with Programs and Evaluation to align funding strategies with outcomes, impact data, and reporting requirements.
Ensure compliance with all ethical, legal, and regulatory standards related to fundraising and donor relations.
PERFORMANCE METRICS & SUCCESS INDICATORS

*The Director of Advancement will be evaluated based on the following key performance areas:
Fundraising & Revenue Outcomes
Meet or exceed annual fundraising revenue goals aligned with the organizational budget.
Year-over-year growth in unrestricted and flexible funding.
Growth in major donor revenue and average gift size.
Successful renewal and growth of foundation, corporate, and government funding.


Strategy & Execution
Timely development and execution of an annual fundraising plan with clear goals, timelines, and accountability.
Effective use of data and donor analytics to inform strategy and decision-making.
Successful execution of signature events and campaigns within approved budgets.


Leadership & Team Development
Development team performance against individual and collective fundraising goals.
Staff retention, engagement, and professional growth within the Development department.
Clear performance expectations, regular feedback, and documented evaluations for direct reports.


Board Engagement & Governance
Active, productive Board Development Committee with clear goals and participation.
Increased board member engagement in fundraising activities.
Demonstrated board accountability to fundraising commitments
.

Donor Experience & Stewardship
High donor retention rates, particularly among major donors.
Timely, meaningful donor acknowledgments and stewardship touchpoints.
Positive donor feedback and strengthened long-term relationships
.

Organizational Impact
Alignment of fundraising strategies with programmatic priorities and organizational values.
Strong cross-department collaboration and internal stakeholder satisfaction.
Demonstrated contribution to Urban Peak's long-term financial sustainability.