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 Donor Relations - Wharton External Affairs

Job Profile Title

Associate Director D, Development, Alumni Relations

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 diverse population of staff, representing a rich array of backgrounds, expertise, and cultures. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

Wharton External Affairs (EA) engages alumni and friends in meaningful, lifelong relationships with the School, sustaining and strengthening a culture of giving that creates positive impact among students and communities worldwide. Members of EA work collaboratively across the School and the University to nurture alumni engagement and secure philanthropic commitments that empower teaching and learning; research; and dynamic programs that comprise a leading global business education.

Job Description

The Senior Associate Director of Donor Relations is a member of the Donor Relations team and reports to the Senior Director of Donor Relations. Donor Relations includes multiple channels with staff focusing in respective interconnected areas, including: Stewardship — focusing on writing donor acknowledgments, reports, and leadership messaging to engage donors; Development Communications — focusing on composing custom proposals, booklets, program overviews, web assets, and other materials to promote fundraising; and Donor Relations Programming — focusing on named space donor stewardship and development, family engagement, board communications, and other activities to connect with, thank, and inspire past and future donors. As the Senior Associate Director of Donor Relations, you will serve as an instrumental partner in delivering a comprehensive donor relations program, recognizing Wharton donors and encouraging their continued engagement with and support of the School through a multitude of platforms. You will analyze donor relations activities across giving levels and areas, act as point person for donor recognition signage on campus, and compose custom touchpoints for donors — ranging from personalized keepsakes to digital and print materials. You will also serve as lead for facilitating capital projects and other recognition events and support donor meetings with students, faculty, and other Wharton and Penn community members. You will establish close partnerships with colleagues in Wharton External Affairs; with signage, award, and other vendors; and with individuals in programmatic offices across the School and the University to provide an exceptional donor experience.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:• Support capital project fundraising by assessing existing and new named space opportunities; ensuring fundraising materials are reflective of the latest building design; and managing the production and installation of donor recognition signage together with vendors and operations colleagues.• Serve as a partner to board relations colleagues and Development in devising strategic communications to the School's executive boards.• Run process for and compose donor touchpoints — such as video messages, personalized gifts, articles of interest, digital and print pieces, and other outreach — in collaboration with gift officers.• Conduct donor relations programs, including the nomination, selection, and presentation of the Distinguished Service Award, which relies upon close connection with colleagues in Development, Alumni Relations, and Events.• Lead special projects, including recognition events and donor meetings with scholarship and faculty recipients and other beneficiaries of their giving, as well as events to celebrate building and named space donors.• Assess donor relations activities provided at different giving levels and to varying areas across the School, informing and consulting with gift officers to create experiences for donors that will keep them connected and positioned for continued giving.• Provide writing, editing, and proofreading on special Donor Relations projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree is preferred and 5 to 7 years of direct experience in donor relations, stewardship, development, and communications, or equivalent combination of education and experience.• Excellent project management and strategic planning skills, with an acute ability to manage multiple deadlines and track activities in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, and an ability to communicate with an intricate network of colleagues across the School and University as well as donors, faculty, and administrators.• Outstanding detail orientation, and proven ability in writing, editing and proofreading.• Comfort analyzing data and utilizing it to inform strategy and programs.• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as effectively as a member of a team.• Comfort with writing and assembling content and operating in Microsoft Office applications and other platforms, including Qwilr (for donor digital touchpoints, reports, and proposals) and Thankview (for donor video messages).• Position will require a limited number of evening and weekend work and travel to support alumni and donor events. Applicants must submit a cover letter along with their resume.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$61,046.00 - $95,000.00 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, 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.