"Senior Associate Director of Principal Giving Strategy Experience, 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. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

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 Principal Giving Strategy + Experience, Wharton External Affairs

Job Profile Title

Associate Director D, Development, Fundraising

Job Description Summary

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. Each year 13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education's individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a dynamic community of staff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

The Senior Associate Director of Principal Giving Strategy & Experience (the Director) will help provide strategic oversight of the Principal Giving Program (PGP). This position involves a collaborative partnership with the Senior Managing Director of Principal Giving (SMD) and the School's philanthropic leadership to foster and enhance relationships with our most significant Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) individuals and esteemed volunteers.

By serving as the internal lead for the Principal Giving Strategy & Experience at the Wharton School, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to manage a staff member and make a profound impact on the School's philanthropic landscape and join a team dedicated to excellence and innovation in advancing philanthropic initiatives. Your leadership will be instrumental in preparing for future School and University fundraising initiatives.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Support the Principal Giving Program's initiatives, in partnership with the SMD and WHEA philanthropic leadership, by supporting the lifecycle of an extensive portfolio of principal giving level prospects. In collaboration with the SMD, the Sr. Associate Director will implement proactive strategies tailored to our highest-priority philanthropic partners, thereby creating and supporting customized engagement opportunities that inspire transformational contributions. They will directly supervise and manage the Associate Director.
• Serve as the liaison among various stakeholders, including Wharton and University development staff, faculty directors, and program administrators. They assist in devising short and long-term frameworks, in partnership with the SMD to cultivate and nurture impactful relationships, ensuring that our donors and supporters feel valued and recognized throughout their philanthropic engagement.
• Oversee the newly established Assistant Director of Principal Giving Donor Relations and Stewardship, guiding the development of roles and responsibilities for this position. Together, they will focus on executing exemplary engagement, cultivation, recognition, and stewardship activities, thereby enhancing donor connections and maximizing philanthropic impact.
• Join critical discussions with the SMD and Wharton leadership to learn about ambitious goals and priorities for philanthropic efforts. This role requires effective management of special projects and collaboration with senior staff, and faculty to advance the objectives of the Principal Giving Program. Furthermore, they will ensure meticulous information-sharing mechanisms to facilitate robust stewardship initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with the Administrative Coordinator to prioritize key activities, streamline workflows, and enhance communication processes within the Principal Giving Program. The Sr. Associate Director's guidance will be essential for the Assistant Director of Principal Giving Stewardship and Donor Relations, particularly in ensuring effective donor follow-up during the cultivation and stewardship processes. The Sr. Associate Director will help to build a process to track and report on the top 50 Wharton prospects. This would be in partnership with the Director of Data Management (Senior Director of Data, Analytics & Salesforce CRM) and the Development Leadership team. Through this framework, gift officers can optimize the resources available to advance Principal Giving strategies.
• Focus on appropriate and consistent engagement with and recognition of donors and school leaders at the highest levels. This support and partnership will enhance the stewardship and donor relations program, ensuring effective communication and appreciation for our supporters' contributions.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess outstanding problem-solving and prioritization skills, demonstrating the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a rigorous attention to detail. The role requires a high degree of discretion and poise when interacting with stakeholders across varying levels. Exceptional writing, communication, and relationship-building skills are essential to fulfilling the demands of this position.

• A bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required
• Advanced degree preferred
• Experience managing complex issues and problem-solving
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Supervisory experience and/or experience in managing department budgets preferred
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and work efficiently in a highly pressured environment.
• Must have keen interpersonal and organizational skills and excellent judgment. At all times, must exhibit a high degree of diplomacy, tact, and a strong sense of discretion.
• Excellent organizational skills as well as the ability to relate to all levels of personnel required.
• Must be able to react to time-sensitive matters as well as manage complex, longer-term initiatives
• Must be willing to be available for remote access as needed after normal work hours
• Experience in both nonprofit/higher education and corporate contexts strongly preferred.