Development Director Jobs in Colorado

Development Director jobs in Colorado are in strong demand, concentrated in nonprofit organizations, higher education, healthcare systems, and arts and culture institutions, with roles ranging from emerging fundraising managers stepping into first leadership positions to seasoned executives overseeing eight-figure campaigns. Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs account for the largest share of openings, anchored by institutions like UCHealth, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and Colorado State University. The most sought-after specialties are major gifts, capital campaign leadership, and corporate and foundation relations. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles71
Top employerRocket Lab USA
Top cityDenver, CO
Cities hiring22
Work type60% Hybrid
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 71+ Development Director jobs

Development Director, Colorado Springs
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Added 2d ago
Development Director, Colorado Springs
American Heart Association
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Content & Communications
Creative & Design
Marketing
$62k - $80k/yr
Experience equivalent to degree accepted
1,001-5,000

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Director of Development
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Added 2d ago
Director of Development
Central City Opera
Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Consulting & Professional Services
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$65k - $75k/yr
Bachelor's degree

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Director of Business Development, Mountain West
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Added 3d ago
Director of Business Development, Mountain West
UOVO
Denver, Colorado
Account Management
Business Development
Customer Success
Hybrid
51-200

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Youth Development Site Director - The Colorado Springs School
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Added 5d ago
Youth Development Site Director - The Colorado Springs School
YMCA
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Program Management
Project Management
Technical Product & Program Management
CPR Certification
51-200

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Sr. Director, Space and Missile Defense Solutions Business Development & Capture
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Sr. Director, Space and Missile Defense Solutions Business Development & Capture
Parsons
Colorado
Business Strategy
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Strategy & Corporate Development
$177k - $332k/yr
Bachelor's degree in business
10,000+

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See All 71 Development Director Jobs in Colorado

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Development Director Jobs by City in Colorado

Where Colorado roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Colorado Springs
7 jobs
Boulder
4 jobs
Littleton
4 jobs
Thornton
3 jobs
Centennial
3 jobs
Golden
2 jobs
Lone Tree
2 jobs
Westminster
2 jobs

Development Director Job Market in Colorado

A snapshot from current Colorado openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Rocket Lab USA3 open roles
University of Colorado3 open roles
American Heart Association3 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Construction & Real Estate
  • Consulting & Professional Services

What Colorado Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in development director jobs across Colorado.

  • Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or a related field required
  • Five or more years of progressively responsible fundraising or development experience
  • Demonstrated success managing major gift portfolios and cultivating individual donors
  • Experience leading capital campaigns, annual funds, or planned giving programs
  • Proficiency with donor management software such as Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or Blackbaud
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for grant writing and board engagement

Development Director Jobs in Colorado: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a development director in Colorado?

Most development directors in Colorado come up through fundraising coordinator, major gifts officer, or grants manager roles within nonprofits, universities, or healthcare foundations before moving into director-level leadership. Colorado has no state license or exam for this role. Employers consistently favor candidates with a bachelor's degree and a portfolio showing measurable campaign results. The Certified Fund Raising Executive credential, administered nationally by CFRE International, is widely respected by Colorado hiring committees and can distinguish candidates without a graduate degree.

Which companies hire development directors in Colorado?

Colorado development director roles are posted by Rocket Lab USA, University of Colorado, and American Heart Association and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Colorado's large nonprofit sector, research universities, and integrated health systems are among the most consistent sources of development director openings in the state.

Which Colorado cities have the most development director jobs?

Denver, Colorado Springs, and Boulder have the most development director openings in Colorado. Denver dominates due to its concentration of nonprofit headquarters, hospital foundations, and arts institutions, while Boulder's research university ecosystem and Fort Collins's growing nonprofit and higher-education sector drive strong hiring in those markets.

Are there remote development director jobs in Colorado?

Yes, and more than many comparable leadership roles. About 80% of development director openings tied to Colorado are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the nature of major gifts and stewardship work that often happens through calls, travel, and relationship management rather than in a fixed office. Grant writing, donor communications, and portfolio management are the functions most commonly performed remotely.

How can I get hired as a development director in Colorado with little or no experience?

The most realistic path is to start in a development coordinator, annual fund associate, or grants administrator role at a mid-size Colorado nonprofit or university foundation, then build toward director-level responsibility. Institutions like the University of Colorado system, Centura Health Foundation, and Denver Human Services regularly hire for entry and associate-level development positions that lead into director roles. Earning the CFRE credential and building a portfolio of measurable campaign results, even from volunteer or junior work, accelerates the transition significantly.

Where can I find and apply to development director jobs in Colorado?

You can find and apply to development director jobs in Colorado on Migrate Mate, which lists current Colorado openings updated regularly. Search for roles that match your experience level and focus area, whether that is major gifts, planned giving, or capital campaigns, and apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 71 Development Director Jobs in Colorado

Find roles in Colorado that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Development Director Jobs