Job Details

Senior/Associate Director of Development, Weitzman School of Design

Position Number: 6660104
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Position Type: Development and Fund Raising

Senior/Associate Director of Development, Weitzman School of Design

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
Senior/Associate Director of Development, Weitzman School of Design

Job Profile Title
Major Gifts Officer Senior

Job Description Summary
Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Relations, the Senior/Associate Director of Development is a key member of the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) team at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design. This highly visible role is responsible for advancing the School's mission by developing and executing a strategic, growth-oriented fundraising program.

The Weitzman School of Design is a leading graduate school within Penn, offering degrees and programs in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, City and Regional Planning, Historic Preservation, Urban Spatial Analytics, and Fine Arts, as well as undergraduate majors and minors through the School of Arts and Sciences and select online programs.

The Senior/Associate Director will bring a strategic and entrepreneurial mindset, serving as a catalyst for new opportunities and long-term growth. This individual will identify, cultivate, and manage a robust portfolio of high-capacity prospects, while fostering partnerships with key corporate and foundation donors. Acting as a liaison to the School's research centers, they will align fundraising priorities with academic and research initiatives.

Working closely with the Assistant Dean, the Senior/Associate Director will help shape and implement strategic initiatives, lead targeted outreach campaigns, and engage volunteer leadership. The role involves national travel to meet with prospects and, as appropriate, accompany the Dean and other senior leaders. The Senior/Associate Director will also collaborate with colleagues across Penn's central DAR organization, including Principal Gifts, Planned Giving, and Major Gifts teams, to maximize the impact of donor engagement and philanthropy.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Conduct 75-80 prospect visits annually to identify, qualify, and cultivate alumni and friends capable of making leadership gifts in support of the School's named funds, programs, spaces, endowments, campaign priorities, and centers. Serve as the primary development liaison to the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, PennPraxis, the McHarg Center for Urbanism and Ecology, and the Center for the Preservation of Civil Rights Sites. Manage donors and prospects associated with pooled and endowed lecture funds.
Oversee all facets of the Dean's Council, from member recruitment and engagement to agenda development and meeting coordination, ensuring meaningful participation and alignment with School priorities.
Partner with the Senior Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving to identify donors who merit additional stewardship and have the potential to make major gifts, while continuing their engagement with the Annual Fund.
Build strong partnerships across central development offices and internal stakeholders to develop strategies that identify new prospects and maximize donor engagement and giving potential.
Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of the Annual Weitzman School Awards, a premier major donor cultivation and fundraising event. Collaborate with the Senior Associate Director of Communications and Stewardship to produce compelling written and digital event materials. Support additional DAR events focused on major gift cultivation and stewardship, and represent the School at lectures and programs hosted by the School and its Centers.
Collaborate with the Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Relations to identify School-wide funding priorities and translate them into effective fundraising collateral and case materials for front-line gift officers. Provide strategic guidance and support for the Board of Advisors and principal gift donors through tailored cultivation and stewardship activities.
Draft and edit gift proposals, agreements, and donor engagement materials that advance School and University priorities.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall mission and goals of the Development and Alumni Relations team.

**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

BA/BS and 3-5 (Major Gifts job profile) or 5-7 (Senior Major Gifts job profile) years of experience in development, alumni relations, communications and/or public relations or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Experience in higher ed. environment preferred; experience working with academic partners and/or experience with volunteer management also preferred; excellent organizational skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills; attention to detail; ability to manage multiple projects under time demands; strong understanding of relationship database systems and procedures; Ability to travel within the US and work events and weekends as needed.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
School of Design

Pay Range
$91,000.00 - $120,000.00 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 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.

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

Equal Employment 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.
To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Meyerson-Hall/Senior-Associate-Director-of-Development--Weitzman-School-of-Design_JR00113376-2