Associate Director, Major Gifts

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning.

Job Description Summary

Based in Philadelphia and reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Major Gifts, the Major Gifts Officer will manage their own portfolio of major gift prospects and donors. The person in this position will identify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more to University priorities.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a prospect pipeline of approximately 200 names.
• Develop and maintain knowledge base about the educational, research, and priority funding needs across the university.
• Recruit, manage and motivate fundraising volunteers.
• Design and implement cultivation special events for individuals and groups.
• Identify and qualify new prospects capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more.
• Write proposals and other materials such as briefing memos for events, talking points, invitations.
• Work in collaboration with the development and alumni relations community on overall development needs and priorities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 3 to 5 years of successful fund-raising experience, preferably in higher education, including direct solicitation of five and six figure gifts from individuals or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Familiarity with Penn and/or solid understanding of a major research university environment.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to work independently, but collaboratively, in goal-oriented team environment.
• Must be willing to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed (valid driver's license required)