Development Assistant, Principal Gifts

University of Pennsylvania

3d • $19 - $23 • Onsite

About The Position

Provide administrative support to four Senior Philanthropy Officers in Principal Gifts. Also provide support to the Strategic Partnerships team, as needed. This position provides comprehensive administrative support to the central Principal Gifts front line team. Represent the Office of Principal Gifts and Central Development with professionalism and provide high-level customer service to Penn’s most important internal (including President’s office, Deans, faculty, and senior administrators) and external (including Trustees, Penn alumni, parents, families, and friends at influential business, government, and leadership levels) constituencies. Ability to navigate the university as a whole and establish effective working relationships throughout to respond appropriately to a wide range of inquiries. Exercise considerable judgement, tact, discretion, and diplomacy in the performance of duties. Anticipate the needs of the four frontline officers in their identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of both prospective and longtime donors.

Requirements

• High School Grad/GE Degree and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office products, electronic mail and knowledge of Salesforce.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal and organizational skills; thorough knowledge of office procedures, practices and methods; ability to organize and prioritize assignments and work effectively with diverse groups; detail-oriented, flexible, and productive under pressure; ability to staff events as needed; ability to occasionally work evening/weekend extended or flexible hours.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; knowledge of higher education or not-for-profit industry helpful.
• Ability to conduct internet research preferred; willingness to learn and apply new technologies as needed.

Responsibilities

• Administrative oversight over key donor review meetings and their corresponding reports (Prospect Strategy Meetings, PRN/Top Donor Communication Strategy Meetings, Principal Gift Prospect List.) Schedule annual, biannual, and monthly meetings; prepare materials, agendas, minutes, and reports; compile and summarize data; perform preliminary analysis of reports; provide support to Schools, Centers, and Central offices such that they comply with the parameters of these meetings and reports.
• Prepare gift agreements and process gift transmittals, process pledge payments, track monthly pledge reminders sent to Principal Gift donors, and prepare open-pledge reports. Liaise with Central Gifts and School and Center development offices to ensure accuracy of agreements and records in database, and that new gifts are recorded correctly.
• Create and manage reports database; ensure donor database is current and well-maintained; coordinate mailings; track donor pledge payments.
• Word process, compose, proofread, and edit correspondence. Conduct donor research and draft briefings.
• Assist in staffing special DAR events and programs. Contribute to all aspects of the Parent Leadership Committee in consultation with the Senior Director. Two meetings a year.
• Handle arrangements associated with travel and reimbursements for Senior Director and two Executive Directors.
• Serve as a BEN Financials end-user.
• Ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Office of Principal Gifts, always assuring complete professionalism. Exercise considerable judgment, tact, and diplomacy in performance of duties. Answer phones for Principal Gifts and SAVP.

Benefits

• 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
• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children
• Generous retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental)
• Time Away from Work
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Wellness and Work-life Resources
• Professional and Personal Development resources
• Access to University resources, cultural and recreational activities
• Discounts on arts and entertainment, transportation, mortgages, goods and services
• Flexible Work Hours
• Penn Home Ownership Services
• Adoption Assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED