Major Gifts Officer/Senior Major Gifts Officer, Law DAR

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

Major Gifts Officer/Senior Major Gifts Officer, Law DAR

Job Profile Title

Major Gifts Officer Senior

Job Description Summary

Penn Carey Law is one of the nation’s oldest and most distinguished law schools. The school offers a distinctive cross-disciplinary legal education, drawing on the depth and breadth of the University of Pennsylvania. The resulting intellectual opportunities and professional relationships bridge traditional boundaries and disciplines, making Penn Carey Law an extraordinarily supportive academic community for its scholars and students alike.

Penn Carey Law staff play a critical role in providing a world-class educational environment, supporting faculty, students, alumni, and fellow staff members in a collaborative and ambitious environment.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, the Major Gifts Officer/Senior Major Gifts Officer is a highly visible role within the Law School’s development and alumni relations team and across the donor and university community. This position will play an important role in helping to further develop and implement an ongoing major gift pipeline for the Law School.

The Major Gifts Officer/Senior Major Gifts Officer will be charged with developing and managing prospect pools of high-capacity individuals, most of whom are alumni of the Law School. A key part of this work will involve working with prospect management and research staff within the department, as well as with partners across the Law School and the University throughout the engagement process. This role also will be primarily focused on representing Penn Carey Law externally, with travel with the Dean of the Law School and department/center leaders when appropriate, and will have high level interaction with Principal Gift, Planned Giving, and Major Gift Officers within the University’s Central Development Offices.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• The Major Gifts Officer/Senior Major Gifts Officer will maintain a portfolio of potential donors with primary gift capacity of $100,000+.
• Implement individualized gift strategy and engagement plans for donors.
• Proactively identify prospective donors, conduct personalized outreach, and manage the entire gift closure process, including all necessary travel. Meet a goal of at least 150 personal visits annually, with at least 30 annually focused on assessing qualified prospects. Maintain a comprehensive travel schedule planned 6–12 months in advance, ensuring timely updates are reflected on the office calendar.
• Collaborate with on-campus partners, including faculty members and Central Development and Alumni Relations staff, in moving potential donors through the pipeline and closing gifts to benefit the Law School’s priorities.
• Write proposals, oversee the gift agreement drafting and signature process, coordinate engagement opportunities, and collaborate on stewardship of prospects/donors while working closely with colleagues in DAR Services, Research, Stewardship, and Law School Communications.
• Represent the Development Office by attending Law School events and activities.
• Other Duties as Assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years (Major Gifts Officer Job Profile) or 5-7 years (Senior Major Gifts Officer Job Profile) of experience in development or non-profit management with a proven track record of gift closures in the five and six figure range, or higher, or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Other relatable experience in sales, marketing, or other relationship-based roles, may be considered. Experience working with academic partners and/or experience with volunteer or client management is highly preferred. Entrepreneurial skills and ability to work independently. Ability to manage multiple projects under time demands. Strong understanding of relationship database systems and procedures. Ability to travel within the US and work evenings and weekends as needed. Valid driver’s license required.

Job Location – City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Development and Alumni Relations

Pay Range

$61,046.00 – $124,500.00 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.

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

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