Upenn
Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts (New York Regional Office)
Penn Club of New York
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- Seniority
- Director
- Stated salary
- $100,000 per year
- Country
- US
- Work mode
- On-site / unstated
- First seen by hirly
- 1 Oct 2026
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the posting
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 (New York Regional Office)
Job Profile Title
Major Gifts Officer
Job Description Summary
Based in New York City and reporting to the Director of Development of the New York Regional Office, the Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts manages a personal portfolio of major gift prospects and donors in the New York region, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more to University priorities. The Associate Director devises fundraising strategies and regional cultivation/stewardship events and programs for their prospect pool, often in collaboration with other University colleagues, and engages volunteers to help build and steward relationships with alumni, parents, and friends of the University.
Job Description
This role is based in our New York office.
Job Responsibilities
Major Gifts Fund-raising
Cultivate and solicit alumni donor prospects in the New York region, with emphasis on securing commitments of $100,000 or more to the University’s top priorities. Responsibilities include:
- Manage a prospect pool of ~ 150-200 names
- Identify and rate new prospects capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more.
- Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for prospects and donors with an emphasis on increasing their financial commitment to the Penn Fund and University priorities.
- Write gift proposals and other case building and stewardship materials as needed.
- Represent the University at regional and on-campus events.
Collaboration with University Development Staff
Work closely with the Director of Development for Major Gifts on individual prospects, special events, and development of overall strategic plan for assigned donor prospect pool. Collaborate with campus-based colleagues including Penn Fund/Reunion Program, Principal Gifts, School/Center development officers, Gift Planning, and Alumni Relations staff.
- Work closely with campus-based development colleagues to create and support events and programs (both regionally and on campus) that will lead to increased high-level involvement of alumni in the region as well as to develop individual strategies to cultivate and steward prospect interests across a variety of areas across the University.
- Staff prospect visits for University leaders, e.g. President, Dean or faculty member, and by senior development officers; includes developing prospect briefing/goals and managing follow up actions.
Volunteer Management
Identify, recruit, train and support volunteers. Cultivate local alumni for future volunteer leadership roles at the University (e.g. boards of Trustees and Overseers, Advisory boards, reunion volunteers, speakers and other alumni leadership activities).
- Work strategically with volunteers to encourage them to build bridges and utilize their networks to help Penn develop stronger relationships with other prominent alumni, parents, and friends of the University.
- 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, accompanying volunteers on cultivation/solicitation visits.
- Keep volunteers informed about the University and its fundraising priorities.
**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 Degree and 3 to 5 of successful fund-raising experience, preferably in higher education and in the New York metropolitan area, including direct solicitation of five and six figure gifts from individuals or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
- Familiarity with Penn and/or solid understanding of a major research university environment.
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
- Ability to work independently, but collaboratively, in goal-oriented team environment.
- Must be willing to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed (valid driver's license required)
Job Location - City, State
New York, New York
Department / School
Development and Alumni Relations
Pay Range
$77,330.00 - $125,000.00 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 faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care
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