Senior Philanthropy Officer

University of Pennsylvania; United States; On-site; USD 167,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Life, and Flexible Spending

Tuition benefits

Retirement plans

Wellness and work-life resources

Professional development

Job summary

University of Pennsylvania is seeking a Senior Philanthropy Officer to lead major gift efforts and manage a portfolio of high-net-worth donors. The role centers on strategic engagement, solicitation, and stewardship for gifts at the $5M+ level across Penn’s schools and centers.

Reporting to senior philanthropy leadership, you will collaborate with University leadership, volunteers, and DAR colleagues to drive transformational gifts and build the principal gifts pipeline.

Qualifications

• Master of Science or Master of Arts degree; 7–10 years of demonstrated fundraising experience.
• Experience securing high-impact gifts ($1M+) from individuals or equivalent.
• Ability to travel at least 25 percent of the time.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Manage a high-level portfolio of alumni, family foundations, and friends with the potential to make gifts of $5M+ within five years.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal gifts donors; coordinate with campus partners and senior administration.
• Travel 25–30% to develop relationships with Penn parents, alumni, and friends.
• Represent the University’s priorities and develop compelling gift opportunities aligning donor interests with Penn’s priorities.
• Align principal gift donors with leadership opportunities and events to deepen engagement.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Listening

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Diversity, equity, inclusion

Education

Master of Science

Master of Arts

Job description

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

Senior Philanthropy Officer

Job Profile Title

Director E, Development, Fundraising

Job Description Summary

The Principal Gifts team develops engagement, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for top-tier individuals and families and ensures that these strategies are actively pursued and executed. This includes identifying and articulating large-scale priority opportunities for transformational gifts. Each member of the Principal Giving team is expected to have an intellectual curiosity about the work of the University, an ability to translate a broad range of academic areas into inspiring visions for donors, a high level of adaptability and flexibility as needs and priorities change, and strong relationships with internal constituencies and colleagues that promote a positive, collaborative spirit for development strategy and planning across all schools. The Senior Philanthropy Officer serves as a central leader in advancing the team’s work across the Penn community.

Summary:

Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President for Strategic Philanthropy and Partnerships, the Senior Philanthropy Officer is a key member of the Principal Giving team and responsible for the management and growth of a donor/prospect pool of some of the University’s most affluent and important stakeholders. The Senior Philanthropy Officer designs and executes engagement, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for the University’s principal gifts level (i.e., $5 million and above giving capability) prospect pool. This high-level work involves frequent interaction and active partnerships with University Leadership (e.g., President, Provost, Deans), Volunteers (e.g., Trustees, Board of Advisor members), and Senior Administrators (e.g., Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations, University Secretary) to ensure existing and emerging principal gifts level constituents are best positioned with Penn and provide maximum levels of philanthropic support for university and/or School-based priorities. The Senior Philanthropy Officer serves as a resource and facilitator to Schools and Centers – helping to identify new and developing existing prospects at the $5 million and above level and providing central development resources and support required to help close gifts of this magnitude.

Works closely with the Senior Associate Vice President, Principal Giving team members, and School-based development team leadership to ensure top-tier donors and prospects are managed and moved towards deepened engagement with and giving to Penn. Also works with other offices within Development and Alumni Relations to assist them in targeted prospect outreach activity resulting in solicitation of principal gifts. The Senior Philanthropy Officer will help spearhead the team’s efforts with large-scale interdisciplinary initiatives and collaborate in development of new programs and initiatives to increase the number of principal gift prospects entering the “pipeline,” and develop strategies to move new prospects into the $5,000,000 and above category.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Personally manage a high-level portfolio of alumni, family foundations, and friends (capable or who have the potential to make gifts of $5 million or more within the next five years). Monitor and report on progress of donor/prospect-related activities and gift solicitations.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward assigned principal gifts level pool. Drive and manage strategic, consistent, personalized engagement with donors and donor prospects, including meaningful interaction with campus partners and senior University administrators, faculty members, Boards of Advisors, and other high-level volunteers.
• Devote 25-30 percent of time traveling to develop relationships with Penn parents, alumni, and friends. These may include individual visits with university leadership, faculty members, or DAR colleagues.
• Represent the University’s priorities in the context of an overall vision for Penn and its place in the world. Contribute to the identification, development, and refinement of compelling gift opportunities to align principal gift donors’ interests with the University’s priorities.
• Align potential principal gifts donors with volunteer leadership opportunities, committees, activities, and/or events that are appropriate to their interests (or potential interests) and areas of expertise that deepen their Penn engagement over time and facilitates significant philanthropic investment.
• Articulate the case for support for Penn as a whole and for a range of Schools and centers in a way that is both inspiring and specific in terms of activity across Penn and the impact of a gift on the University and beyond.
• Conceptualize, plan, and spearhead team’s efforts focused on large-scale interdisciplinary initiatives and programs.
• Plan, coordinate, and direct visits and special events for principal gift level prospects and donors.
• Direct and prepare cultivation materials, major funding proposals, talking points and strategies, assessments of potential support, briefings for senior officers and key volunteers, and stewardship reports for all assigned prospects; ensure that all interested parties are involved in key efforts focused on specific prospects; document all substantive prospect contacts.
• Collaborate with school-based and central staff to develop new programs and initiatives aimed at increasing the number of donor/donor prospect entering the principal gifts “pipeline.” Develop strategies to move new prospects into the $5 million + category.
• Provide thoughtful counsel to DAR colleagues on principal gifts relationship-building ideas and coordinated fundraising strategies. Assist in evaluating and designing appeals to principal gift level prospects.
• Keep abreast of the intellectual content of the University and advances across the academy.
• Practice the highest standards of professionalism and performance as evidenced by collaborative teamwork, initiative, critical thinking, excellent judgment, tact, reliability, and timeliness of follow-through.
• Maintain knowledge of important developments within regional, national, and international funding environments as they relate to Penn’s philanthropic interests.
• Serve as a resource and role model to staff on matters of prospect strategy and offer new approaches and techniques; seek to provide creative solutions to complex solicitations; rely on experience in the field and remain current with evolving trends in philanthropy.
• Celebrate current achievements and set clear expectations for future success. Create and contribute to a work environment of transparency, clarity, agility, and mutual respect.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Master of Science, Master of Arts, and 7 to 10 years of demonstrated, successful fundraising experience, preferably in higher education, including track record securing high impact gifts ($1M+) from individuals or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Extensive experience in working with high net-worth individuals and volunteers. Ability to travel (at least 25 percent of the time) – local, regional, and national. International as required.Superb interpersonal, listening, organizational, and analytical skills.Excellent communication skills (both oral and written). Dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion.Experience with planned giving vehicles and in structuring blended gifts. Emotional intelligence needed to navigate complicated organizations, relationships, and ambiguity.Ability to work independently yet relate comfortably in an existing framework of fundraising, participating in and contributing to a total team effort and in a fast-paced, complex environment.Ability to interact regularly and collaborate efficiently – often in a consultative role –with development officers in varying programs. Travel, evening/weekend work, and valid driver’s license preferred.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Development and Alumni Relations

Pay Range

$167,379.00 - $260,000.00 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 protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefitsto protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition : Take advantage of Penn’s exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
• Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you’ll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay