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 11,000 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 R-1 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 campaign 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 engagement, development, operations, and campaign leadership, DU Advancement is building and fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy in support of our bold vision.

About Donor Relations & Stewardship The Donor Relations & Stewardship team is an integral part of the University's fundraising success. As a centralized team supporting schools, colleges, units, and programs across the institution, Donor Relations & Stewardship develops and implements strategies that demonstrate donor impact, strengthen relationships, and inspire continued philanthropic investment. The team partners closely with frontline fundraisers, academic leadership, faculty, and university administrators to deliver meaningful stewardship experiences that reinforce donors connection to the University and the impact of their generosity.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship, the Assistant Director, Scholarship Stewardship & Engagement serves as the strategic lead for scholarship stewardship, donor communications, and student-centered donor engagement across the University. This position develops and implements comprehensive stewardship strategies that demonstrate the impact of scholarship philanthropy, strengthen donor relationships, and foster a culture of gratitude among scholarship recipients.

The Assistant Director is responsible for managing the University's scholarship stewardship program, including scholarship notifications, student thank-you initiatives, scholarship reporting, donor communications, stewardship events, and student philanthropy engagement efforts. The position serves as a key liaison among Advancement, Financial Aid, academic units, scholarship recipients, and donors to ensure a seamless and meaningful stewardship experience for all stakeholders.

As a strategic partner to Advancement leadership, frontline fundraisers, campus partners, and donors, the Assistant Director provides subject matter expertise, best-practice guidance, and operational leadership related to scholarship stewardship and communications. Success in this role requires exceptional relationship management, project leadership, communication skills, and the ability to coordinate complex initiatives involving donors, students, faculty, and administrators.

The ideal candidate is collaborative, donor-centered, highly organized, and passionate about helping donors understand the lives they transform through scholarship support. A bachelors degree and four years of professional experience, including three years of related or transferrable experience is required. Experience working within a university or similarly complex nonprofit environment including working with donors and/or high-profile constituents, preferred.

This position is eligible for hybrid work, with limited Denver metro travel and occasional evening or weekend event support as needed.

Essential Functions

Scholarship Stewardship Strategy and Program Management

- Lead the University's scholarship stewardship strategy and annual stewardship program.
- Develop and implement comprehensive scholarship stewardship plans designed to strengthen donor retention and engagement.
- Establish best practices, timelines, and standards for scholarship stewardship activities across the institution.




- Partner with frontline fundraisers to develop customized stewardship strategies for scholarship donors.
- Identify opportunities to enhance scholarship donor experiences and improve stewardship outcomes.
- Monitor program effectiveness and recommend improvements to scholarship stewardship processes and communications.

Scholarship Communications and Donor Engagement
- Manage the scholarship notification process, ensuring donors and recipients are informed of scholarship awards in a timely and meaningful manner.
- Oversee student thank-you letter collection, review, and distribution processes.
- Develop and execute donor-centered scholarship communications that demonstrate the impact of philanthropy.
- Coordinate donor gifting and stewardship swag programs to enhance donor recognition and engagement.
- Manage ThankView, ODDER, and other stewardship communication platforms used for scholarship donor outreach.
- Create communication strategies that strengthen connections between donors and scholarship recipients.
- Develop messaging and storytelling content highlighting scholarship impact and student success.

Scholarship Impact Reporting
- Lead the development and production of scholarship stewardship reports.
- Coordinate scholarship impact reporting efforts with academic units, Financial Aid, students, and Advancement partners.
- Produce milestone reports for scholarship funds and scholarship donor segments.
- Collect and synthesize student stories, outcomes, and impact data into compelling donor-facing communications.
- Support the development of legacy statements and donor legacy documentation when appropriate.
- Ensure scholarship reporting fulfills donor expectations and stewardship commitments.

Student Engagement and Philanthropic Education
- Develop and manage student philanthropy engagement initiatives related to scholarship stewardship.
- Educate scholarship recipients on the impact of philanthropy and donor support.
- Partner with campus colleagues to cultivate gratitude and philanthropic awareness among students.
- Create opportunities for meaningful donor-scholar interactions.
- Support the development of future alumni engagement and philanthropy initiatives through scholarship stewardship programming.

Event Collaboration and Stewardship Experiences
- Partner with Advancement Events, unit-based fundraisers, and campus stakeholders to execute scholarship stewardship events and donor engagement opportunities.
- Coordinate donor-scholarship recipient interactions at events and stewardship experiences.
- Support event strategy, logistics, communications, and follow-up efforts related to scholarship donors and recipients.
- Develop innovative stewardship experiences that connect donors directly to the impact of their philanthropy.

Cross-Campus Partnership and Coordination
- Serve as Advancements primary liaison to Financial Aid regarding scholarship stewardship coordination and donor inquiries.
- Collaborate with Financial Aid to ensure accurate scholarship information and reporting.
- Partner with academic units, faculty, and student affairs professionals to gather information supporting stewardship efforts.
- Provide guidance and training to campus partners regarding scholarship stewardship practices and expectations.

University Citizenship
- Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all central and unit-based Advancement functions and campus colleagues.
- Foster strategic, effective, and collaborative advancement practices.
- Model One DU leadership and support institutional priorities.
- Promote a culture of gratitude, donor-centered philanthropy, and stewardship excellence.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Demonstrated knowledge of stewardship, donor relations, scholarship administration, and donor engagement best practices.
- Exceptional project management skills and ability to manage multiple complex programs simultaneously.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong storytelling abilities and experience creating donor-facing communications.
- Ability to build relationships with donors, students, faculty, staff, and university leadership.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Experience coordinating events and engagement initiatives.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments and stakeholder groups.
- Knowledge of stewardship communication platforms,



including video and digital engagement tools.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
- Commitment to exceptional customer service and donor experience.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
- Relevant skilled experience can be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis (e.g., one year of experience equals one year of education).
- 4-7 years of experience, including at least 3 years of related or transferrable professional experience

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in higher education or a similarly complex nonprofit environment

Working Environment

- Standard open office environment
- Noise level is quiet to moderate
- Non-essential role. Note: essential employees are those individuals who must report to work, be “on call” to report to work, and/or work remotely if required in order to maintain the critical functions of the University during scheduled closures or an unscheduled suspension of normal operations due to emergencies, events, or other situations.

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
- This role is not required to operate an Automobile, Passenger Van, UTV/ATV, or golf cart

Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Application Deadline For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) September 15, 2026.

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 10.

Salary Range:

The salary range for this position is $62,000 - $72,000.

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:

- Resume
- 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 based upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history and National Sex Offender Registry background check.

📌 Assistant Director, Scholarship Stewardship & Engagement (Quinte West)
🏢 University of Denver
📍 Quinte West