Associate Director, Parent Fundraising, Parent & Family Giving

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

Associate Director, Parent Fundraising, Parent & Family Giving

Job Profile Title
Major Gifts Officer

Job Description Summary
The Office of Parent & Family Giving engages undergraduate parents and families in support of the University of Pennsylvania’s highest philanthropic priorities through meaningful relationships, volunteer leadership, and strategic fundraising.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Parent & Family Giving, the Associate Director is a key member of the Parent & Family Giving team and a valued partner to colleagues across Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) and the broader University. The Associate Director will manage a portfolio of approximately 120 non-alumni parent and family prospects and donors, with a primary focus on individuals capable of making outright and planned gifts of $100,000+.

Working closely with the Executive Director and colleagues across University Strategic Philanthropy and Partnerships (USPP) and central development teams, the Associate Director will develop and implement thoughtful, individualized strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward major and planned gifts. The Associate Director will collaborate with faculty, senior administrators, volunteers, and development colleagues to strengthen relationships, maximize philanthropic opportunities, and advance institutional priorities.

Success in this role requires exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, sound fundraising judgment, and the ability to engage parents and families as both philanthropic partners and volunteer leaders. The Associate Director will develop and execute comprehensive cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies; coordinate complex prospect strategies across the University; engage volunteers in meaningful fundraising activities; and demonstrate the impact of philanthropy through strategic stewardship.
The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated and collaborative fundraiser who thrives in an integrated, team-oriented environment and is committed to advancing the University’s fundraising goals and priorities.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Develop a strong understanding of the University of Pennsylvania’s educational, research, and financial priorities and effectively articulate the impact of philanthropy in support of those priorities.

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 120 non-alumni parent and family prospects and donors, with a focus on individuals with the capacity to make gifts of $100,000+.

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward outright and planned gifts through strategic, individualized engagement plans.

• Conduct approximately 120 substantive prospect and donor meetings annually and maintain timely and accurate documentation of significant contacts and strategies in the University’s prospect tracking system.

• Develop and execute comprehensive cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies in collaboration with the Executive Director and colleagues across DAR and the University.

• Coordinate the participation of faculty, senior administrators, volunteers, and development colleagues in prospect and donor engagement, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.

• Develop and manage complex prospect strategies in partnership with colleagues across USPP and school and center development teams, ensuring a coordinated and donor-centered approach.

• Plan, coordinate, and manage prospect and donor visits, including local and national travel.

• Engage parent and family volunteers in meaningful fundraising and leadership activities, including recruitment and engagement of volunteers for leadership roles such as the Penn Parents Council.

• Execute thoughtful and impactful stewardship activities that demonstrate the difference philanthropy makes across the University.

• Partner with colleagues across DAR, including Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, and other development teams, to advance shared fundraising and engagement priorities.

• Perform other related duties and assist with special projects as needed.

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

• Bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years of experience in institutional development, fundraising, or a related field, with demonstrated experience securing outright and/or deferred gifts of $100,000+ from individuals, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, is required.

• Experience working in a higher education or academic institution development program is preferred.

• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, including the ability to develop and execute effective strategies for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding individual donors.

• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively within a collaborative, centralized development structure.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to establish credibility and trust with donors, volunteers, faculty, administrators, and colleagues.

• Strong organizational and administrative skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, establish objectives, and develop effective strategies for achieving fundraising goals.

• Experience with local and national development travel is required.

• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends.

• Valid driver’s license required.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Development and Alumni Relations

Pay Range
$77,330.00 - $104,040.00 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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin   (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics) , citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected   under applicable federal, state or local law .

Special Requirements
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