Job Details

Senior Program Manager, Donor Stewardship

Position Number: 7115039
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Development and Fund Raising

Senior Program Manager, Donor Stewardship

Requisition Number: 71658
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 10-May-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

Advancement at CU Boulder encourages applications for a Senior Program Manager for Donor Stewardship!
The Senior Program Manager for Donor Stewardship is responsible for planning and implementing impactful donor stewardship efforts on the central Donor Relations team and is critical to the donor engagement efforts, playing a key role in supporting the growing scale and complexity of stewardship work during the university's first comprehensive campaign.
The Senior Program Manager will manage donor stewardship projects emerging from engagement strategy meetings, ensuring high-impact execution for some of our most invested donors under the guidance of the Associate Director of Donor Relations. This role is also responsible for broader campus-wide stewardship initiatives such as Buffs All In Day of Giving and fund-specific stewardship plans, increasing overall philanthropic support for CU Boulder.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

CU Boulder Advancement is committed to a culture of joy, motivated by collaboration, passionate about excellence and driven by impact. These four values define the culture and drive engagement and fundraising success. We are committed to fostering an environment where everyone matters and all can thrive. This dedication is rooted in our core values and our mission to drive impactful fundraising and engagement. Our team actively engages in learning, reflection, and the transformation of systems, policies, and practices that perpetuate oppressive ideologies-including racism, sexism, ableism, and heterosexism. We recognize our responsibility to lead by example in building a supportive and inclusive culture for both internal colleagues and external partners. We hold ourselves accountable through individual and divisional goals that continuously assess our progress, growth, and outcomes-ensuring alignment with our mission and values every step of the way.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Programmatic Oversight and Project Management

Lead cross-campus stewardship projects aligned with top donor engagement strategies, ensuring thoughtful collaboration, coordination and execution with unit partners
Project manage major campus-wide stewardship initiatives, including Buffs All In Annual Day of Giving, from planning through implementation and follow-up
Lead the development and execution of fund-specific stewardship plans aligned with the team's scope and responsibilities
In partnership with the Associate Director of Donor Relations, review the effectiveness of programs and make suggestions for modifications and improvements
Seek out new insights and standard processes through ongoing research and benchmarking, applying a creative approach to elevating stewardship initiatives
Apply a forward-thinking mentality to identify challenges and develop creative, solutions-focused approaches that strengthen stewardship efforts

Impact Reporting

Supervise the development and delivery of the annual campus-wide donor impact report
Project manage comprehensive impact reports for top donors whose giving spans multiple campus areas. Collaborate with unit partners and Advancement Marketing & Communications to define the vision, gather and synthesize content, leverage storytelling, coordinate partners, manage timelines, and deliver reports that highlight donor impact, are meaningful to the donor, and advance the relationship

Other Duties as Assigned

Assist in collecting, tracking, and reporting engagement metrics, while actively finding opportunities to embed measurable components within stewardship programs or projects to enhance understanding of donor interactions and preferences
Track expenses for stewardship programs and projects, ensuring alignment with the team's overall budget while supporting thoughtful planning, forecasting, and resource allocation
Enter contact reports on a consistent basis as stewardship and engagement touchpoints are completed
Support donor events as needed, stepping in as a collaborative team member to help ensure seamless and positive experiences
Participate in monthly stewardship roundtables with unit partners, sharing ideas and collaborating to strengthen stewardship programs

What You Should Know

This position has the ability to work a hybrid schedule with some days on campus and some days remote
This position will occasionally be required to work evenings/weekends

What We Can Offer

The salary range is $70,000 - $85,000. Relocation assistance is available within Advancement guidelines.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be effective. Be proactive. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, or a combination of education and experience will substitute
Experience: 3+ years of professional, job-related experience

What You Will Need

Strong written and verbal communication: Ability to communicate effectively in writing and speaking, crafting content that is impact-focused and tailored to the donor audience
Solid time management and organizational skills: Proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while meeting agreed upon set timelines
Strong attention to detail: Ability to organize and distill complex information, ensuring accuracy in all tasks
Adaptability: Ability to manage various tasks simultaneously while maintaining strong standards of quality, and to easily adapt to changing priorities as needed
Composure: Ability to act quickly and perform under pressure
Knowledge of university policies: Ability to master and apply University policies and procedures in relevant situations
Commitment to shared values: Ability to champion and uphold the values of the Office of Advancement, including joy, excellence, collaboration, and impact
Problem solving/solution oriented: Go getter mentality and ability to offer thoughtful solutions if issues arise
Continuous Learner: Embraces a growth mindset, actively seeking opportunities for learning, development, and continuous improvement
Data Handling & Analysis: Strong data/database management and manipulation skills
Relationship-Building: Proven track record to connect and collaborate with individuals across a variety of roles, backgrounds, and communication styles
Diplomacy & Discretion: Ability to exercise a high degree of tact, discretion, and collaboration in working with a diverse range of constituents including employees, students, volunteers, alumni, donors, and campus colleagues

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

A current resume.
A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by May 10, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Senior-Program-Manager-Donor-Stewardship/71658