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, Parent Fundraising, Parent & Family Giving
Job Profile Title
Major Gifts Officer
Job Description Summary
The Office of Parent & Family Giving engages undergraduate parents and families in support of the University of Pennsylvania’s highest philanthropic priorities through meaningful relationships, volunteer leadership, and strategic fundraising.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Parent & Family Giving, the Associate Director is a key member of the Parent & Family Giving team and a valued partner to colleagues across Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) and the broader University. The Associate Director will manage a portfolio of approximately 120 non-alumni parent and family prospects and donors, with a primary focus on individuals capable of making outright and planned gifts of $100,000+.
Working closely with the Executive Director and colleagues across University Strategic Philanthropy and Partnerships (USPP) and central development teams, the Associate Director will develop and implement thoughtful, individualized strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward major and planned gifts. The Associate Director will collaborate with faculty, senior administrators, volunteers, and development colleagues to strengthen relationships, maximize philanthropic opportunities, and advance institutional priorities.
Success in this role requires exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, sound fundraising judgment, and the ability to engage parents and families as both philanthropic partners and volunteer leaders. The Associate Director will develop and execute comprehensive cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies; coordinate complex prospect strategies across the University; engage volunteers in meaningful fundraising activities; and demonstrate the impact of philanthropy through strategic stewardship.
The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated and collaborative fundraiser who thrives in an integrated, team-oriented environment and is committed to advancing the University’s fundraising goals and priorities.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
Develop a strong understanding of the University of Pennsylvania’s educational, research, and financial priorities and effectively articulate the impact of philanthropy in support of those priorities.
Manage a portfolio of approximately 120 non-alumni parent and family prospects and donors, with a focus on individuals with the capacity to make gifts of $100,000+.
Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward…