Senior Philanthropy Officer

Senior Philanthropy Officer

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.

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 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 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