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

Assistant Vice President for Annual Giving, University Development

Job Profile Title

Executive Director B, Development, Fundraising

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President of University Development, Penn’s Assistant Vice President for Annual Giving will be an innovator with exceptional leadership skills and deep enthusiasm for the profession who is drawn to both the academic and societal mission of the University of Pennsylvania. The AVP/AG will lead an integrated team of fundraising units focused on broadly engaging and building a culture of philanthropy among the Penn community, discovering new prospects and donors, and exploring innovative paths to increase both long-term and current use annual funding in support of the University’s highest priorities.

As the first incumbent in a newly developed role, the AVP/AG will elevate the work of two complementary annual giving units — the Penn Fund and School and Center Annual Giving — as well as collaborate with partners in synergistic areas like marketing and communications, to achieve even greater engagement and fundraising results with meaningful budgetary impact for the University.

The Penn Fund:

The Penn Fund has direct responsibility for raising in the range of $50 million per year through a combination of unrestricted, scholarship receivables and project-based funds pointed at undergraduate life and learning. In existence since 1927, gifts to The Penn Fund have had a profound and immediate impact on all aspects of student life and learning at the University, by helping to provide grant-based financial aid packages to undergraduates, support enhancements to

academic programs and campus technology, and foster community through student clubs and organizations.

The Penn Fund consists of three major program areas to which team members are assigned, including Class Giving and Reunion Programs, Young Alumni and Student Philanthropy, and Marketing and Donor Participation. There are 24 positions on The Penn Fund team.

School & Center Annual Giving:

School & Center Annual Giving (SACAG) provides annual fund consultation and services to school and center annual funds at the University of Pennsylvania. SACAG oversees two University-wide annual giving initiatives — the Benjamin Franklin Society (BFS) and the on-campus student calling program. In addition, it provides best practices for multichannel marketing and creative communications, collaborates with Central colleagues as well as Penn’s decentralized school- and center-based units on special initiative projects, and provides interim support and new staff orientation for annual fund programs. There are six positions on the SACAG team.

The AVP/AG will lead the overall program in a manner that generates meaningful fundraising growth, with a particular emphasis on strategies that enhance leadership annual giving, especially from alumni with strong long-term philanthropic potential; expand Penn’s endowed and current use support for financial aid and other key budget priorities; and further develop Penn’s overall pipeline.

In addition, they will bring a successful track record of leading teams that represent best practice models, a desire to contribute to a culture committed to the highest standards for performance and professional growth, and a passion for developing talent and camaraderie.

As a thought partner to the SAVP and in collaboration with management colleagues in the University Development team and beyond, the AVP/AG will also play a vital role in developing aligned and collaborative fundraising strategies within Central DAR and in partnership with the University’s academic

and administrative leadership around unrestricted support, financial aid, and other key budget relieving priorities. The AVP/AG will also serve as part of the team interacting with and deepening Central DAR’s relationship with the University’s school- and center-based units, offering support and creative solutions to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of annual campaigns across the institution. With discovery and pipeline building as an additional core objective, the AVP/AG will work closely with partners in Capital Giving and Research to develop and implement strategies to identify and effectively engage new prospects. Last but not least, this role will also be part of the department’s leadership core engaged in planning future University-wide campaigns.

Job Description

Specific Responsibilities• Lead the effort to build and sustain a culture of lifelong philanthropy within the broadest swath of Penn’s alumni, with a specific focus on fundraising for unrestricted support and financial aid.• Set a clear strategic course for and with a team of individual program leaders. Establish priorities for various fundraising units in the AVP/AG’s managerial portfolio as well as the overall team, ensuring that managers are focused on those strategies and tactics that are essential to each unit’s performance against clearly articulated goals.• Work closely with University Development’s core leadership team as well as various department leaders to ensure messaging, funding priorities, and strategies are aligned across the organization.• Develop innovative strategies and methodologies to identify, engage, and cultivate new donors and grow and diversify support across the University.• Monitor and analyze data and metrics to track progress and identify areas for growth.• Explore new platforms and technologies as well as industry innovations and best practices to ensure that Penn remains at the forefront of new models of engagement and fundraising.• Lead and supervise a team of experienced fundraising professionals, providing mentoring, guidance, and support for their success.• Manage a portfolio of donors, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts.• Contribute to strategic planning and program development within central DAR and partner with colleagues and volunteer leaders in the development of the next capital campaign.• Develop successful partnerships with colleagues across Development and Alumni Relations as well as campus colleagues in departments including Financial Aid, Admissions, Human Resources, the Office of the Provost, the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life, and the Office of GeneralCounsel.• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing fundraising and philanthropy.

Required Qualifications and Competencies• Master’s degree required.• A minimum of 10 years of successful fundraising experience, including a proven record of success in fundraising with demonstrated experience in annual giving, marketing, and/or areas of broad alumni-focused philanthropic engagement.• Experience in higher education fundraising in complex institutions, including an understanding of the impact of philanthropy in meeting both long-term and current use institutional budgetary needs.• Strong leadership, management, and program administration skills with demonstrated ability to set goals and drive implementation in a matrixed and highly decentralized organizational context. The ability to establish clear objectives, set performance standards, and organize and motivate staff andvolunteer leaders to achieve both short- and long-term fundraising goals.• An entrepreneurial mindset with a sense of urgency and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances in an environment where working across boundaries and leveraging strengths are necessary. Must have a creative approach to problem-solving and the ability to take advantage of emerging opportunities.• Demonstrated facility with analytics and data-informed planning. A preference for familiarity with advancement enabling models, designs, technologies, or systems to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.• Superior interpersonal skills and a capacity to engage, inspire, and persuade faculty, University administrators, officers, volunteers, donors, prospects, and staff, both within the University and beyond. These skills should be combined with the ability to make the appropriate connections among members of these groups and to nurture strong and long-lasting institutional relationships.• A high level of energy, a positive “can-do” attitude, and the ability to function at peak levels in a high expectation environment.• A team-building orientation with a commitment to a non-hierarchical approach to organization and the willingness to empower subordinates to get the job done while providing the support and advocacy they need. Must have a history of recruiting and developing exceptional people.• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusiveness, and belonging, including but not limited to programming and staffing.• Appreciation for the mission and identity of the University of Pennsylvania.• Travel, evening/weekend work required.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile.

Lindauer is assisting in this search, which will remain open until an appointment is made.

Application materials should be submitted using:

https://www.lindauerglobal.com/career-opportunity/assistant-vice-president-annual-giving-university-pennsylvania/

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Lindauer

amachado@lindauerglobal.com ( https://www.lindauerglobal.com/about/our-team/?member=andrew-machado )

Department / School

Development and Alumni Relations

Pay Range

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements Background check 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.

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

  The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.