Assistant Development Officer, Annenberg School for Communication

About the role

The Assistant Development Officer will work in partnership with the Director of Development to plan, coordinate, and implement development efforts for the Annenberg School for Communication.

Responsibilities

• Support the identification, qualification, and cultivation of prospective donors by partnering with the Director of Development to manage data, track engagement, and draft outreach strategies using development systems and tools.
• Oversee the accurate tracking, maintenance, and reporting of robust donor and gift data by managing records in Compass, producing reports, and supporting data-driven fundraising activities.
• Produce and/or coordinate solicitations, stewardship reports and activities for donors working with the Director and communications staff, including solicitations, gift reports, acknowledgement letters, and outreach letters, e-communications, and recognition vehicles.
• Serve as a project manager for stewardship reporting system to ensure stewardship deadlines are met. Draft select gift proposals, letters, reports, and key correspondence.
• Serve as a key team member working to support the Director and Dean to plan, execute, and implement best practices around board engagement and annual board meetings.
• Build strong working relationships with School leadership, faculty, and administrative staff by coordinating meetings, facilitating communication, and preparing briefing materials for faculty and institutional leadership as needed.
• Aid in the planning, execution, and promotion of alumni (Homecoming and Alumni Weekend), donor, and volunteer events by coordinating logistics, preparing materials, and ensuring accurate post-event follow-up and reporting.
• Attend selected conferences as needed to serve as a forward-facing, engaged, and informed member of the School’s advancement team. Provide briefings, remarks, and other event materials as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and 1 to 2 years of experience in development or related experience, preferably in development, preferably in institutional development or a related field, with exposure to development communications, prospect management, annual giving, major gifts, volunteer engagement, and stewardship or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• The ideal candidate will possess excellent networking abilities and people skills. Must be comfortable providing frontline support and collaborating with stakeholders at all levels including alumni, staff, and faculty.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a small, high-performing team. Strong organizational skills, self-motivation, and attention to details and deadlines. Skilled in all major computer programs (Microsoft Office Suite, database work, etc.). Must be willing to travel and able to work some evenings and weekends.

Benefits

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 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.