Job Details

Senior Director of Major Gifts, Wharton External Affairs

Position Number: 6406161
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Position Type: Development and Fund Raising

Senior Director of Major Gifts, Wharton External Affairs

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 Director of Major Gifts, Wharton External Affairs

Job Profile Title
Director, Major Gifts

Job Description Summary
Wharton School Overview
Founded in 1881 as the world's first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year 13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education's individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a dynamic community of staff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania seeks a strategic, collaborative, and globally minded leader to serve as Senior Director of Major Gifts. Reporting to the Senior Executive Director of Development, the Senior Director will lead Wharton's integrated major gifts program, encompassing both domestic and international markets. This role presents a unique opportunity to guide a high-performing team and advance a comprehensive philanthropic vision that aligns with Wharton's global strategy.

The Senior Director will be responsible for developing and executing a robust major gifts strategy, managing a dynamic team of frontline fundraisers and staff, and personally engaging a portfolio of highly rated prospects capable of making leadership commitments. The Senior Director will partner closely with the Dean, Vice Dean, faculty leadership, and colleagues across the School and University to elevate philanthropic engagement and deliver sustained, mission-critical support.

In addition, this individual will serve as the School's liaison to Penn's Office of Gift Planning and lead stewardship efforts for planned giving through Whartons Hattersley Society.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

* The Senior Director of Major Gifts will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across Wharton's integrated domestic and international major gifts program. This individual will oversee a team of frontline major gift officers, regional directors, and support staff, guiding their professional development and performance while fostering a high-achieving culture built on collaboration, accountability, and shared success.

* In close coordination with the Dean, Chief Advancement Officer, Senior Executive Director of Principal Gifts and Boards, and other stakeholders, the Senior Director will ensure fundraising activities are tightly aligned with Wharton's overarching strategic goals. They will serve as a key liaison to Penn's central Office of Gift Planning and will lead the stewardship of Wharton's Hattersley Society, which honors alumni and friends who have included the School in their estate plans.

* The Senior Director will maintain a personal portfolio of approximately 50 major and principal gift prospects, with an emphasis on cultivating relationships with individuals capable of making commitments of $250,000 and above. This work requires the ability to develop nuanced, culturally informed engagement strategies that reflect regional philanthropic norms, tax considerations, and donor motivations. Collaboration with Wharton faculty, alumni relations, research centers, and Executive Education will be essential to maximize engagement opportunities and enhance the donor experience.

* In addition to frontline fundraising, the Senior Director will be charged with developing a cost-effective, scalable framework for global outreach and long-term donor engagement. Working closely with communications and marketing colleagues, they will shape region-specific messaging and fundraising materials that resonate across a global alumni base. The Senior Director will also contribute meaningfully to the development of long-range strategic plans and lead the implementation of new initiatives to expand philanthropic support for Wharton's mission.

Qualifications

A Bachelor of Science and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Experience managing complex issues and problem-solving
Excellent writing and communication skills
Supervisory experience and/or experience in managing department budgets preferred
Demonstrated ability to set priorities and work efficiently in a highly pressured environment.
Must have keen interpersonal and organizational skills and excellent judgment. At all times,
Must exhibit a high degree of diplomacy, tact, and a strong sense of discretion.
Excellent organizational skills as well as the ability to relate to all levels of personnel required.
Must be able to react to time-sensitive matters as well as manage complex, longer-term initiatives
Experience in both nonprofit/higher education and corporate contexts strongly preferred.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Wharton School

Pay Range
$133,000.00 - $200,000.00 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/FMC-Tower/Senior-Director-of-Major-Gifts--Wharton-External-Affairs_JR00108292-2