Development Associate, Football

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.

Posted Job Title

Development Associate, Football

Job Profile Title

Temporary Employee - Non-Exempt

Job Description Summary

The Development Associate, Football is a temporary role responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic support for the Penn Quakers football program. This position works closely with the the Major Gift Officer for Penn Football, the Assistant Development Officer(s) for Penn Football and the Sr. Associate Athletics Director of Development and Alumni Relations, the broader Penn Champions Club development team and the football coaching staff to secure philanthropic support for the program’s annual fund, endowment, capital priorities with a constant focus on improving the student-athlete experience. This role would ideally start in April of 2026 and go through the end of the fiscal year with the possibility of extending it through the first quarter of FY27.

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.

Posted Job Title

Development Associate, Football

Job Profile Title

Temporary Employee - Non-Exempt

Job Description Summary

The Development Associate, Football is a temporary role responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic support for the Penn Quakers football program. This position works closely with the the Major Gift Officer for Penn Football, the Assistant Development Officer(s) for Penn Football and the Sr. Associate Athletics Director of Development and Alumni Relations, the broader Penn Champions Club development team and the football coaching staff to secure philanthropic support for the program’s annual fund, endowment, capital priorities with a constant focus on improving the student-athlete experience. This role would ideally start in April of 2026 and go through the end of the fiscal year with the possibility of extending it through the first quarter of FY27.

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Assist Major Gift Officer(s), Assistant Development Officers, Director of Annual Giving, and Sr. Associate AD, Development & Alumni Relations on football-specific annual fund growth strategies
• Cultivate and Solicit the Penn Football community for annual fund support, specifically maximizing spring annual fund matching initiative focused on new or increased support from football donors
• Partner and Collaborate with the Penn Football Board and the Penn Football Development Subcommittee on various fundraising efforts
• Assist Major Gift Officer(s), Assistant Development Officer and Sr. Associate AD, Development & Alumni Relations on the football portfolio of approximately 75–100 major gift prospects, focusing on donors capable of making gifts of $25,000+ in support of Penn Football and related athletics priorities.
• Assist the Major Gift Officer, Assistant Development Officer and Sr. Associate AD, Development & Alumni Relations Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts for the Penn Football Varsity Fund, operational endowment, and capital initiatives.
• Work closely with the Head Football Coach and athletics leadership to engage alumni, parents, and supporters in meaningful fundraising and stewardship opportunities.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation strategies that lead to increased philanthropic support and long-term donor engagement.
• Attend football donor meetings, prospect visits, and stewardship events, including game-day engagement for the spring football game
• Travel to out-of-region donor meetings, games and events in partnership with Major Gift Officer(s) and/or the Sr. Associate AD, Development & Alumni Relations to steward, identify, cultivate and solicit annual fund and major gift prospects
• Assist Major Gift Officer(s) in expanding the major gift pipeline by identifying new prospects among alumni, parents, and friends of Penn Football.
• Collaborate with Penn Champions Club colleagues on annual fund growth and donor recognition opportunities.
• Partner with Major gift Officers, Sr. Associate AD, Development & Alumni Relations, and central development teams at the University of Pennsylvania to advance prospects capable of principal and leadership gifts that benefit Penn Football and DRIA’s cross-Divisional priorities (Nutrition, Mental Health, PAWLA)

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Division of Recreation & Intercollegiate Athletics

Pay Range

$7.25 - $41.00 Hourly 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.

University Benefits

• Health and Life : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare.
• 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.

Please note that benefit eligibility is determined/based on ACA guidelines.   

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