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Job overview

Area of Responsibility
Development/Fundraising
Type
Full-Time
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts - Athletics

University of Pennsylvania – PennFull-TimePhiladelphia, PA

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 of Development, Major Gifts - Athletics

Job Profile Title

Major Gifts Officer

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Development, the Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts will manage his/her own portfolio of major gift donors and prospects with specific responsibilities for assigned sports. Working under limited supervision, the Major Gifts Officer will identify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors to support Athletic and University priorities. In addition, the Associate Director of Development will work with a specific portfolio of sports and will be responsible for managing all aspects of the fundraising and alumni relations for each sport. This will include, but is not limited to: managing multiple boards comprised of key alumni/parent/friends volunteers, overseeing capital project fundraising, generating new endowment revenue and working every fiscal year to achieve each sport’s annual fund goal. The Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts will also work in collaboration with other Athletic Department staff, including the Athletic Director, coaches, sports boards and central University colleagues to set priorities and devise fund-raising strategies, programs, and events. Indirect supervision and coordination with team of Assistant Directors, Annual Giving of their related work activities based on sport assignments.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Major Gifts Fund-raising

  • Cultivate and solicit alumni and other prospects with emphasis on gifts of $25,000 or more with a focus on gifts of $100,000 or more. Responsibilities include:

  • Manage a major gift prospect pipeline of at least 150 names

  • Provide individualized and strategic stewardship contact for existing major gift donors

  • Design and implement cultivation/stewardship special events for individuals and assigned Sports Boards

  • Identify and rate new prospects capable of making gifts of $25,000 or more

  • Write gift proposals and other materials as needed

  • Represent the Department at national, regional, local, virtual, and on-campus events  

  • Promote involvement of volunteers and board members in the Program's fund-raising efforts

  • Manage the annual fund activities for assigned Sports Boards which includes oversight of marketing communications for these sports

Staff Management

  • Indirect supervision and coordination with team of Assistant Directors, Annual Giving of their related work activities based on sport assignments. Responsibilities include:

  • Provide leadership and guidance to Assistant Directors, Annual Giving in terms of tasks, fund-raising strategies, and event preparation and execution for the sports you work in tandem with

  • Work in collaboration with all Assistant Directors, Assistant Director for Data Analytics, Director of Annual Giving and Assistant Director of Event Management to advance the mission and goals of Penn Athletics. Examples will include, but are not limited to sport specific newsletter generation, data analysis and reporting, correspondence with external and internal constituents, as well as other communications with board members and volunteers, prospective donors, and existing donors and all related duties as assigned.

Volunteer Management

  • Identify, recruit, train and support volunteers. Cultivate volunteers for future leadership roles on Department advisory boards and other alumni leadership activities. Responsibilities include:

  • Work closely with volunteers as “door openers” and special event hosts

  • Engage volunteers in prospect identification and evaluation process

  • Oversee select prospect assignments to volunteers, including, the provision of pre-

  • and post-contact support and, as appropriate, accompany volunteer members on cultivation/solicitation visits

  • Keep volunteers informed about the Department and its fund-raising priorities

  • Work closely with sports boards on goal setting, formulating board strategies and tactics

  • Jointly develop events calendar for assigned sports

Collaboration with University Development Staff

  • Work closely and in collaboration with Senior Associate AD for Development and Alumni Relations, Sr. Director of Development, fellow Associate Directors of Development, Assistant Directors of Development, the Director of Athletics on individual prospects, special events and development of overall strategic plan for the department. Collaborate with on-campus fund-raising staff, including colleagues in central development office (Principal Gifts, Leadership Gifts, Major Gifts, Planned Giving, and Annual Giving/Reunion Program as well as School/Center development directors and Alumni Relations staff). Responsibilities include:

  • Conduct cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits at the request of and/or in

  • combination with colleagues in central development and Schools/Centers

  • Staff fund-raising visits by Athletic and University leaders, e.g. President, Athletic

  • Director, coaches and senior development officers

  • Work closely with Directors of Development and other Associate Directors of Development, Major Gifts and on-campus Alumni Relations colleagues in the development of on-campus events and programs that will lead to increased high-level involvement of prospects and donors

  • Collaborate with central fund-raising staff, including Principal Gifts, Leadership Gifts,

  • Major Gifts, Penn Fund Reunion, Planned Giving and School/Center Development

  • Directors

**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 of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Preferably in sales, business development or related field.

  • Familiarity with Penn and/or solid understanding of a major research university environment

  • Strong communication skills, both oral and written

  • Supervisory experience and solid administrative skills with ability to establish objectives, set performance standards, and organize and motivate a team of professionals to achieve fundraising goals and non-financial alumni relations goals

  • Ability to work independently, but collaboratively, in goal-oriented team environment

  • Travel, extensive evening/weekend work and valid driver's license are required.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Division of Recreation & Intercollegiate Athletics

Pay Range

$76,000.00 - $100,000.00 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 
A Background check may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.