Associate Director, Parent Fundraising, Parent & Family Giving

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 U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn’s 12 schools provide undergraduate, graduate, and continuing‑education opportunities, all shaped by an interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. The university has been repeatedly recognized as a top employer, most recently named one of America’s Best Large Employers by Forbes in 2023. Located on a beautiful urban campus, Penn offers easy access to cultural, educational, and recreational activities throughout Philadelphia.

About the Role

The Office of Parent & Family Giving engages undergraduate parents and families in support of Penn’s highest philanthropic priorities. Reporting to the Executive Director of Parent & Family Giving, the Associate Director manages a portfolio of roughly 120 non‑alumni parent and family prospects and donors, focusing on individuals capable of making outright and planned gifts of $100,000 plus. The role involves developing and executing individualized strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward major and planned gifts, while collaborating with faculty, senior administrators, volunteers, and development colleagues across the university.

Responsibilities

• Develop a strong understanding of Penn’s educational, research, and financial priorities and articulate the impact of philanthropy.
• Manage a portfolio of ~120 non‑alumni parent and family prospects and donors with $100K+ gift capacity.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward outright and planned gifts through individualized engagement plans.
• Conduct approximately 120 substantive prospect and donor meetings annually and maintain accurate documentation in the university’s prospect‑tracking system.
• Develop and execute comprehensive cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies in collaboration with the Executive Director and DAR colleagues.
• Coordinate participation of faculty, senior administrators, volunteers, and development colleagues in prospect and donor engagement activities.
• Develop and manage complex prospect strategies in partnership with USPP and school/center development teams.
• Plan, coordinate, and manage prospect and donor visits, including local and national travel.
• Engage parent and family volunteers in fundraising and leadership activities, including recruitment for the Penn Parents Council.
• Execute thoughtful stewardship activities that demonstrate the impact of philanthropy across the university.
• Partner with DAR colleagues—including Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, and other development teams—to advance shared fundraising and engagement priorities.
• Perform related duties and assist with special projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years of experience in institutional development, fundraising, or a related field, with demonstrated success securing outright and/or deferred gifts of $100,000 plus, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in a higher‑education development program is preferred.
• Proven success in major‑gift fundraising, including strategy development for identification, cultivation, solicitation, closing, and stewardship.
• Ability to work independently and contribute effectively within a collaborative, centralized development structure.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong relationship‑building skills with donors, volunteers, faculty, administrators, and colleagues.
• Strong organizational and administrative abilities; capable of managing multiple priorities and achieving fundraising goals.
• Experience with local and national development travel.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license.

Pay

Salary range: $77,330.00 – $104,040.00 annually. Salary offers are based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, education, external market data, and internal organizational data.

Location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance; flexible spending accounts for eligible health and dependent‑care expenses.
• Tuition Assistance: Tuition benefits for employees, spouses, and dependent children at Penn and other institutions.
• Retirement Plans: Basic, matching, and supplemental retirement plans with pre‑tax and Roth options; a wide range of investment choices through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Generous vacation, personal, sick, and other leave to support work‑life balance.
• Long‑Term Care Insurance: Coverage for eligible employees and family members, with simplified enrollment for newly hired staff.
• Wellness and Work‑Life Resources: Programs and resources to support health, family, and overall well‑being.
• Professional and Personal Development: Access to training, development programs, and career‑advancement resources.
• University Resources: Free or discounted access to libraries, athletic facilities, museums, arboretum, art galleries, and cultural events.
• Discounts and Special Services: Savings on arts, entertainment, transportation, mortgages, automotive purchases, cellular plans, movie tickets, and theme‑park admissions.
• Flexible Work Hours: Options for non‑traditional work hours, locations, and job structures to promote balance.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Forgivable loan for eligible employees to assist with home purchase, closing costs, or improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Reimbursement for qualified adoption‑related expenses (travel, court fees) for up to two adoptions per household.