Director, Gift Administration & Records Management

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.

Position Summary

The Director of Gift Administration & Records Management (GARM) develops and manages the administration of all University contributions, including the development and management of policy and procedures regarding the accurate processing, storage, and data related to University contributions. They work cross-functionally with various business owners to support their data management needs, as well as managing the strategy for records management for Advancement constituents, with primary responsibility for maintaining the Advancement GARM data in the division’s software platform, currently Ellucian’s CRM Advance. They lead the GARM team, which processes all gifts to the University, including but not limited to cash/outright gifts, pledges, matching gifts, securities, gifts-in-kind, and gifts of real estate, and related donor correspondence, such as tax receipts and pledge reminders.

This position is frequently responsible for managing training or otherwise communicating complex data and systems to a wide variety of audiences with varying levels of familiarity; therefore, they must be skilled in conveying complex information in clear and concise ways. The successful candidate will be highly detail-oriented, well-organized, focused, and goal-oriented with a high level of initiative and energy. They must also be adept at problem-solving, demonstrating the use of good judgment in situations requiring independent initiative and tact, while ensuring policy compliance.

Essential Functions

• Gifts and Records Systems & Compliance Management
• This includes but is not limited to assessing, developing, and deploying procedures that ensure accurate and timely recording of information; ensuring that gifts and pledges are recorded in compliance with IRS and CASE guidelines as well as FASB requirements, including receipting and gift valuation; and ensuring that all biographical updates are in compliance with DU Data
• Standards and department policies and procedures.

Finance Support

• Serves as liaison to the Controller’s Office for all contribution-related questions and issues. Works with the Controller’s Office to ensure that all donations are properly deposited and fed to finance. Reconciles gift accounts with finance and prepares audit documentation; this may include, but is not limited to, providing detail of reconciling items and plans for corrective action; providing documentation of gifts, pledges and adjustments; and providing details on gift processing procedures and processes.

Department Leadership

• Provides comprehensive leadership of the GARM team. This includes supporting the day-to-day functionality of the team, as well as facilitating the recruitment, hiring, training, mentoring, evaluation, and professional development of the team. In partnership with the Executive Director of Gift Policy and Advancement Information Systems, the Director is also responsible for effectively managing the GARM operating budget, including monitoring transactions, promoting policy compliance, and assisting in budget modeling and forecasting processes.

Training and Content Expertise

• Continues to build and oversee comprehensive technical training program, develops materials, processes and procedures that help educate departmental and campus partners on the procedures surrounding charitable contributions, biographical data recording, and other technical solutions. Partners with division staff and others to regularly train, mentor, and advise advancement professionals and other University employees on best practices for gifts and records. Serves as a main point of contact for Advancement and University staff for gifts and records management, as well as alumni, donors, and friends of the University.

Technology Support

• Manages the GARM team’s testing and implementation of system additions, modifications, and upgrades; this includes locating, isolating, and collaborating with the University’s information Technology division to resolve system bugs or issues.

University Citizenship

• Serves as an active and collaborative partner to all central and unit-based advancement functions, the Controller’s Office, information Technology, and other campus colleagues, to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative fundraising practices. Models “One DU” leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• High-level of understanding of basic accounting procedures, data collection, and complex relational databases.
• Ability to deal effectively with a wide range of individuals internal and external to the University.
• Must be innovative, curious, and able to evaluate and challenge long-standing paradigms of advancement services.
• Effective change manager with the ability to develop, implement and communicate comprehensive transition plans.
• Strong organizational skills and strict attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a group.
• Ability to manage time well, particularly while managing competing priorities, and meet strict deadlines.
• Strong communication skills to effectively work with campus partners, vendors, and Advancement staff.
• High-level of proficiency with MS Office suite of software.

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. We strongly encourage you to apply if you meet the minimum requirements listed below and are enthusiastic about the work.

• 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).
• 5 years of experience in gift processing and records/database management in a large, complex environment.
• Understanding of relevant gift accounting standards, including those offered by the IRS, Federal Accounting Standards Board (FASB), Voluntary Support of Education (VSE), and CASE.
• Supervisory experience, with a demonstrated commitment to coaching, mentoring, and developing team members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in accounting, bookkeeping, finance, or other resource management role.
• Experience working with Ellucian software products or other CRM products (preferably based on MS Dynamics)
• Experience in higher education or similarly complex nonprofit organization.
• Experience managing an operating budget.

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. 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) March 24, 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 13.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $90,000-$105,000.

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.