Director of Regional Development, Wharton External Affairs

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.

Wharton School Overview

Founded in 1881 as the world's first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students.

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director of Major and Planned Gifts, The Director of Regional Development provides strategic leadership for regional fundraising and engagement efforts. This role leads a team of major gift officers and is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects with a giving capacity of $250,000 and above within an assigned region.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of major gift officers, setting clear goals, evaluating performance, and supporting professional development to drive strong results across key fundraising metrics.
• Personally manage a portfolio of approximately 75 top-tier prospects with a giving capacity of $250,000 or more, meeting established goals for prospect visits, solicitations, and closed gifts.
• Develop and execute regional fundraising strategies aligned with the School's major gifts program. Serve as a key liaison to the Dean, Chief Advancement Officer, senior administrators, and faculty to advance fundraising priorities.
• Collaborate with colleagues across External Affairs and the broader University to strengthen alumni engagement and advance comprehensive relationship-building efforts on behalf of the School.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Demonstrated success managing a portfolio of high-capacity prospects.
• Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, with experience engaging senior leadership, faculty, and high-level external stakeholders.
• Proven experience supervising and developing professional staff, including goal-setting, performance management, and coaching.
• Strong strategic planning skills with the ability to develop and execute regional fundraising strategies aligned with institutional priorities.
• Advanced professional skills in complex problem-solving, decision-making, and navigating multifaceted donor situations.