Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts-Athletics

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

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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

The Associate Director, Major Gifts will manage his/her own portfolio of major gift donors and prospects with specific responsibilities for multiple sports boards (volunteer board) while also assisting in the major gift fundraising of all capital initiatives. The Associate Director, Major Gifts will work directly with the Sr. Associate Athletics Director, Development & Alumni Relations, 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 for each individual sport he/she is responsible for. The Associate Director, Major Gifts will identify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors to support Athletic and University priorities. The Associate Director, Major Gifts will work with the Sr. Associate Athletics Director, Development & Alumni Relations to establish objectives and goals for each sport community and execute to achieve those goals. In addition, the Associate Director, Major Gifts will collaborate with internal partners, such as the Director of Development, Assistant Director for Events & Social Media, Assistant Director of Volunteer Management and Stewardship, to advance the mission and goals of the Penn Champions Club.

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, 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.
• Prefer experience and work-related skills 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

$77,330.00 - $98,340.22 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 
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 benefits to 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.

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

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