Senior Director, Major Gifts & Athletics Development

University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Pennsylvania seeks an Executive Director of Development to provide strategic leadership for fundraising and engagement across Penn Athletics and the broader university. This role directs a frontline major gifts team and collaborates with senior athletic administration to advance annual funds, endowment, capital projects, and planned gift initiatives.

Reporting to the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development & Alumni Relations, the Executive Director will manage a broad

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required (B.S. or B.A.) with 7–10 years of experience in development fundraising.
• Preferred experience with Athletics fundraising within higher education.
• Experience leading frontline fundraising teams and major gifts programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a frontline major gift team to achieve fundraising goals.
• Oversee fundraising, alumni engagement and volunteer strategies across multiple varsity sports.
• Manage a portfolio of 100+ major gift prospects and coordinate cultivation and stewardship efforts.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Team management

Strategic planning

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Arts

Tools

CRM systems

Portfolio management software

Job description

University of Pennsylvania seeks an Executive Director of Development to provide strategic leadership for fundraising and engagement across Penn Athletics and the broader university. This role directs a frontline major gifts team and collaborates with senior athletic administration to advance annual funds, endowment, capital projects, and planned gift initiatives.

Reporting to the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development & Alumni Relations, the Executive Director will manage a broad