Executive Director of Development

University of Pennsylvania

1d•$110,907 - $175,000

About The Position

The Executive Director of Development provides strategic leadership for fundraising and engagement efforts at Penn Athletics and reports to the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development & Alumni Relations. The role leads a frontline major gift team comprising three major gift officers and the Director of Development, who oversees three Assistant Directors of Development. The Executive Director manages a portfolio of major gift prospects capable of contributing $100,000 or more, with a focus on gifts of $250,000 or more. The position oversees day-to-day fundraising and alumni relations for multiple varsity sports, including management of multiple sports boards of 20 or more volunteers that meet quarterly and support fundraising across annual funds, endowment support, capital projects, and planned gifts. The role works with the Athletics Director and Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development & Alumni Relations on high-level strategy and initiatives, and helps coordinate the unit’s relationship with Penn’s central Office of Development and Alumni Relations. The position is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and involves extensive travel and evening and weekend work.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts and 7 to 10 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated success managing a portfolio of high-capacity prospects.
Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, including experience engaging senior leadership, faculty, and high-level external stakeholders.
Experience supervising and developing professional staff, including goal-setting, performance management, and coaching.
Advanced professional skills in complex problem-solving and decision-making, and ability to navigate multifaceted donor situations.
Must hold a valid driver’s license.
Position involves extensive travel and evening/weekend work.

Nice To Haves

Experience with athletics fundraising within a higher education environment.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage a team of major gift officers, set goals, evaluate performance, and support professional development to achieve fundraising results.
Manage the Director of Development and co-create the strategic direction for the Assistant Director of Development team.
Oversee fundraising, alumni engagement, and volunteer strategy for multiple varsity sports, and implement strategies to meet fundraising goals.
Manage a personal portfolio of 100 or more major and leadership gift prospects; develop and execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
Identify and develop a pipeline of high-level gift prospects for immediate and long-term cultivation.
Work with the Central DAR data alignment team to analyze data, develop portfolio strategies, and build a data-driven program to maximize engagement of the DRIA community.
Work with the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development & Alumni Relations to develop annual goals, plans, and budgets for a comprehensive fundraising program.
Help plan and execute fundraising strategies for future Penn Athletics-specific or University-wide campaigns.
Partner with the Athletics Director, Senior Associate Athletic Director, major gift officers, coaches, lead volunteers, and athletic administrators across the Division and University to maximize philanthropic support.
Collaborate with the Senior Associate Athletic Director to develop engagement and solicitation strategy for the Penn Athletics Board of Advisors.
Provide dotted-line oversight of the Assistant Director of Stewardship & Administration regarding Board of Advisors management, communications, and annual meeting planning.
Communicate DRIA’s strategic priorities, aspirations, and values to alumni, parents, and friends through formal and informal communications, including written proposals.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
Flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children at Penn; dependent children may also receive assistance at other institutions.
Basic, matching, and supplemental retirement plans, with investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Substantial time away from work during the year.
Long-term care insurance options for eligible employees and family members.
Wellness and work-life programs and resources.
Professional and personal development resources.
Access to University libraries, athletic facilities, cultural activities, and recreational resources.
Discounts and special services for arts, entertainment, transportation, mortgages, goods, and services.
Flexible work options and hours.
Forgivable home-ownership loan for eligible employees buying a home or residing in West Philadelphia, for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption assistance reimbursement for qualified expenses, for up to two adoptions in the household.