"Senior/Associate Director of Development, Weitzman School of Design"

Senior/Associate Director of Development, Weitzman School of Design

University Overview

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The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Senior/Associate Director of Development, Weitzman School of Design

Job Profile Title

Major Gifts Officer Senior

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Relations, the Senior/Associate Director of Development is a key member of the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) team at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design. This highly visible role is responsible for advancing the School's mission by developing and executing a strategic, growth-oriented fundraising program.

The Weitzman School of Design is a leading graduate school within Penn, offering degrees and programs in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, City and Regional Planning, Historic Preservation, Urban Spatial Analytics, and Fine Arts, as well as undergraduate majors and minors through the School of Arts and Sciences and select online programs.

The Senior/Associate Director will bring a strategic and entrepreneurial mindset, serving as a catalyst for new opportunities and long-term growth. This individual will identify, cultivate, and manage a robust portfolio of high-capacity prospects, while fostering partnerships with key corporate and foundation donors. Acting as a liaison to the School's research centers, they will align fundraising priorities with academic and research initiatives.

Working closely with the Assistant Dean, the Senior/Associate Director will help shape and implement strategic initiatives, lead targeted outreach campaigns, and engage volunteer leadership. The role involves national travel to meet with prospects and, as appropriate, accompany the Dean and other senior leaders. The Senior/Associate Director will also collaborate with colleagues across Penn's central DAR organization, including Principal Gifts, Planned Giving, and Major Gifts teams, to maximize the impact of donor engagement and philanthropy.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct 75-80 prospect visits annually to identify, qualify, and cultivate alumni and friends capable of making leadership gifts in support of the School's named funds, programs, spaces, endowments, campaign priorities, and centers. Serve as the primary development liaison to the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, PennPraxis, the McHarg Center for Urbanism and Ecology, and the Center for the Preservation of Civil Rights Sites. Manage donors and prospects associated with pooled and endowed lecture funds.
• Oversee all facets of the Dean's Council, from member recruitment and engagement to agenda development and meeting coordination, ensuring meaningful participation and alignment with School priorities.
• Partner with the Senior Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving to identify donors who merit additional stewardship and have the potential to make major gifts, while continuing their engagement with the Annual Fund.
• Build strong partnerships across central development offices and internal stakeholders to develop strategies that identify new prospects and maximize donor engagement and giving potential.
• Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of the Annual Weitzman School Awards, a premier major donor cultivation and fundraising event. Collaborate with the Senior Associate Director of Communications and Stewardship to produce compelling written and digital event materials. Support additional DAR events focused on major gift cultivation and stewardship, and represent the School at lectures and programs hosted by the School and its Centers.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Relations to identify School-wide funding priorities and translate them into effective fundraising collateral and case materials for front-line gift officers. Provide strategic guidance and support for the Board of Advisors and principal gift donors through tailored cultivation and stewardship activities.
• Draft and edit gift proposals, agreements, and donor engagement materials that advance School and University priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall mission and goals of the Development and Alumni Relations team.

Please provide a resume and cover letter in order to be considered for this role. Please upload all documents in the "Resume/CV" section of the application prior to submitting.

Qualifications

BA/BS and 3-5 (Major Gifts job profile) or 5-7 (Senior Major Gifts job profile) years of experience in development, alumni relations, communications and/or public relations or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Experience in higher ed. environment preferred; experience working with academic partners and/or experience with volunteer management also preferred; excellent organizational skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills; attention to detail; ability to manage multiple projects under time demands; strong understanding of relationship database systems and procedures; Ability to travel within the US and work events and weekends as needed.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Design

Pay Range

$91,000.00 - $120,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.