Associate VP of Capital Giving, Major Gifts & Gift Planning

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

Associate VP of Capital Giving, Major Gifts & Gift Planning

Job Profile Title

Associate Vice President, Development, Fundraising

Job Description Summary

The Associate Vice President for Capital Giving, Major Gifts and Gift Planning, is a crucial leadership position, responsible for building a sustainable and growth-oriented pipeline for gifts in support of University-wide priorities. The AVP/CG will strategically and opportunistically guide and expand a team responsible for cultivating donors and soliciting gifts in support of priorities at all schools, centers, and units across the University, employing a donor-centric approach and proactively fundraising for the greatest priorities of the University. The AVP/CG will develop and set the direction for the team establishing a strong team culture of collaboration, collegiality, and a creative vision with a goal to increase the pipeline of donors and gifts to the University of Pennsylvania. The AVP/CG will mobilize the team, direct strategic data analysis of the program, and position the office for increased and diverse prospect engagement and substantial fundraising growth well into the future. The AVP/CG will also oversee the Gift Planning group and develop strategies to actively engage with the philanthropic engagement team as well as other members of the larger capital giving team to proactively develop a roadmap for actively engaging donors and trustees.

Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President for Development, Capital Giving, the AVP/CG must be a strategic and visionary leader, able to translate University needs into exciting giving opportunities. This individual must have the ability to authentically inspire and motivate a team, building enthusiasm and a sense of pride in the collective accomplishments of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR). They must have experience managing multiple major gift officers, be knowledgeable about gift planning, and understand the importance of data to inform fundraising decisions and program evolution. The AVP/CG must have the ability to communicate exceptionally well, cultivating relationships and trusted partnerships with colleagues across Penn, from fellow DAR colleagues to the most senior University leaders.

Job Description