Senior Philanthropy Officer

University of Pennsylvania

8d•$167,379 - $260,000

About The Position

The Senior Philanthropy Officer is a key member of the University of Pennsylvania’s Principal Giving team, reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President for Strategic Philanthropy and Partnerships. The role manages and grows a portfolio of highly affluent donors and prospects with the capacity or potential to give $5 million or more, and designs and executes engagement, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for principal-gift prospects. The officer partners with University leadership, volunteers, senior administrators, School and Center development teams, and colleagues across Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) to advance university- and school-based priorities and secure transformational philanthropic support. The position serves as a resource and facilitator for Schools and Centers, helping identify and develop principal-gift prospects and providing central development support for major solicitations. It also helps lead large-scale interdisciplinary initiatives and develops programs and strategies to expand the principal-gifts pipeline. The role requires keeping abreast of Penn’s academic work and funding environments, offering counsel and creative strategies to colleagues, and contributing to a collaborative, transparent, and respectful work environment. Travel is required for relationship-building, with the responsibilities describing 25–30 percent of time traveling and the qualifications specifying at least 25 percent. Evening and weekend work may be required or preferred, as stated in the posting.

Requirements

Master of Science or Master of Arts, plus 7 to 10 years of demonstrated successful fundraising experience, preferably in higher education; an equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable.
Track record of securing high-impact gifts of $1 million or more from individuals, or equivalent experience.
Extensive experience working with high-net-worth individuals and volunteers.
Ability to travel at least 25 percent of the time, locally, regionally, and nationally, and internationally as required.
Excellent interpersonal, listening, organizational, analytical, oral communication, and written communication skills.
Dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Experience with planned-giving vehicles and structuring blended gifts.
Emotional intelligence to navigate complex organizations, relationships, and ambiguity.
Ability to work independently while contributing to a team effort in an existing fundraising framework and fast-paced, complex environment.
Ability to interact regularly and collaborate efficiently, often in a consultative role, with development officers across varied programs.

Nice To Haves

Travel and evening/weekend work are preferred.
Valid driver’s license is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage a high-level portfolio of alumni, family foundations, and friends capable of or with the potential to make gifts of $5 million or more within five years; monitor and report on related activity and solicitations.
Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal-gift prospects, coordinating personalized engagement with campus partners, senior administrators, faculty, advisory boards, and volunteers.
Travel to develop relationships with Penn parents, alumni, and friends, including visits with University leaders, faculty, and DAR colleagues.
Represent Penn’s priorities within an overall vision for the University and develop compelling gift opportunities aligned with donor interests and University priorities.
Connect potential principal-gift donors with appropriate volunteer leadership opportunities, committees, activities, and events to deepen engagement and encourage philanthropic investment.
Articulate the case for support for Penn and its Schools and Centers, including the activities and impact supported by gifts.
Conceptualize, plan, and lead the team’s efforts on large-scale interdisciplinary initiatives and programs.
Plan, coordinate, and direct visits and special events for principal-gift prospects and donors.
Prepare cultivation materials, funding proposals, talking points, strategies, assessments of potential support, briefings for senior officers and volunteers, and stewardship reports; coordinate stakeholders and document substantive prospect contacts.
Collaborate with School-based and central staff to develop programs that increase the principal-gift prospect pipeline and strategies to move prospects into the $5 million-plus category.
Advise DAR colleagues on principal-gift relationship-building and coordinated fundraising strategies; help evaluate and design appeals to principal-gift prospects.
Keep abreast of Penn’s intellectual work, advances across academia, and regional, national, and international funding developments relevant to Penn’s philanthropic interests.
Model professionalism, teamwork, initiative, critical thinking, sound judgment, tact, reliability, and timely follow-through.
Serve as a resource and role model to staff on prospect strategy, offer new approaches, and provide creative solutions to complex solicitations while staying current with philanthropy trends.
Support a work environment characterized by transparency, clarity, agility, mutual respect, and clear expectations for success.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

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 pre-tax or Roth savings options and investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Substantial time away from work during the year.
Long-term care insurance for eligible employees and family members.
Wellness and work-life programs and resources.
Professional and personal development resources.
Access to University resources, including libraries, athletic facilities, cultural and recreational activities.
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.
Adoption assistance reimbursing eligible expenses for up to two adoptions in a household.