Executive Director – Engagement and Annual Giving

Jobtailor; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Philadelphia seeks a senior advancement leader to set an integrated vision across communications, alumni affairs, and annual giving. You will oversee multi-channel programs, drive donor engagement, and elevate the school’s case for support.

Collaborate with senior leaders on donor lifecycle strategies, align goals with resources, and coach a high-performing team. You will build enduring relationships with academic leadership and develop talent while ensuring consistent messaging

Qualifications

• Master of Science and Master of Arts required with 7–10 years of experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in advancement strategy and annual giving.
• Proven strategic leadership and organizational management skills.
• Strong knowledge of donor engagement and data-informed decision-making.
• Exceptional communication and ability to influence senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Establish an integrated vision across communications, alumni affairs, and annual fund.
• Oversee multi-channel communications, alumni programs, and annual giving campaigns.
• Drive participation, enhance donor experience, and elevate the School’s case for support.
• Collaborate with senior leaders on coordinated donor lifecycle strategies.
• Align goals, resources, and performance metrics.
• Build and sustain relationships with academic and administrative leadership and major stakeholders.
• Ensure messaging consistency and integration of engagement and fundraising initiatives.
• Manage a focused portfolio of leadership annual giving donors.
• Lead and support direct reports through coaching and day-to-day guidance.
• Develop employees, remove obstacles, foster an inclusive high-performing environment, and ensure accountability.

Skills

Advancement Strategy

Annual Giving Practices

Strategic Leadership

Organizational Management

Data-Informed Decision-Making

Exceptional Communication

Relationship Building

Coaching and Feedback

Team Development

Influencing Senior Stakeholders

Education

Master of Science

Master of Arts

Job description

• Establish an integrated vision and operational framework across communications, alumni affairs, and annual fund


• Oversee comprehensive, multi-channel communications, alumni engagement programs, and annual giving campaigns


• Drive participation, enhance the donor experience, and elevate the School’s case for support


• Collaborate with senior leaders on coordinated full donor life-cycle strategies


• Align goals, resources, and performance metrics


• Build and sustain relationships with academic and administrative leadership, Wharton Marketing and Communications, and Penn Development and Alumni Relations


• Ensure consistency of messaging and integration of engagement and fundraising initiatives


• Manage a focused portfolio of up to 25 leadership annual giving donors


• Lead and support direct reports through coaching, feedback, goal-setting, and day-to-day guidance


• Develop employees, remove obstacles, foster an inclusive high-performing environment, and ensure accountability

Requirements

• Master of Science, Master of Arts, and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience


• Demonstrated expertise in advancement strategy


• Proven strategic leadership and organizational management skills


• Strong knowledge of annual giving and broad-based fundraising practices


• Exceptional communication and messaging expertise


• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and influence senior stakeholders


• Proven success leading, developing, and managing high-performing teams


• Strong analytical and data-informed decision-making skills


• Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in advancement strategy and annual giving practices, with a strong focus on building collaborative relationships and leading high-performing teams. Proven ability to drive donor engagement and enhance the overall donor experience through strategic communication and operational frameworks.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Advancement Strategy


• Annual Giving Practices


• Strategic Leadership


• Organizational Management


• Data-Informed Decision-Making

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Fundraising Practices


• Performance Metrics


• Donor Life-Cycle Strategies


• Portfolio Management


• Analytical Skills

Soft Skills

• Exceptional Communication


• Relationship Building


• Coaching and Feedback


• Team Development


• Influencing Senior Stakeholders

Certifications & Qualifications

• Master of Science


• Master of Arts

Industry Keywords

• Alumni Affairs


• Multi-Channel Communications


• Donor Experience


• Engagement Initiatives


• High-Performing Environment