ASSOCIATE VICE DEAN OF ADVANCEMENT at University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Job Description:

Duties: Reporting to the Vice Dean for Advancement, the Associate Vice Dean (AVD) will serve as the second-in-command for the School's Advancement Office and provide leadership for the Penn Arts & Sciences major gifts and parents programs, alumni outreach, and planned giving initiatives in support of the $550 million Power of Penn Arts & Sciences campaign. Serving as a member of the department's senior leadership team, the AVD will manage and provide strategic guidance to a team of nine professional and administrative staff. Leading by example, the AVD will maintain a portfolio of principal and major gift prospects.


The AVD will work closely with other school- and centrally-based colleagues, including Principal Gifts, Major Gifts, Gift Planning, Alumni Relations, Annual Fund, and Donor Relations and Stewardship to execute a comprehensive fundraising and engagement strategy for the School. The successful candidate will be an inspiring leader and an effective advocate for the value of the liberal arts with all constituents.


Principal Responsibilities


*Work with the Vice Dean, Dean, Senior Vice President, and other senior leadership to establish strategic direction for the School's advancement efforts, develop comprehensive annual plans, and set aspirational goals for direct reports.


*Coordinate closely with central staff with respect to the Undergraduate Program prospect planning process across the University. Collaborate with colleagues across Penn to identify and explore ways to enhance individual gift fundraising efforts at SAS and beyond.


*Provide leadership for the ongoing execution of the Power of Penn Arts & Sciences fundraising campaign; clearly articulate the School's fundraising priorities internally and externally; and work closely with the Vice Dean, SAS, and central staff to develop strategies, approaches, and programs to ensure the success of the campaign.


*Build strong personal and professional relationships with the entire SAS community, including alumni, faculty, staff, and volunteers. Proactively work to understand and maintain an in-depth knowledge of SAS programs, key faculty, research, notable alumni, and student initiatives; serve as a resource, advocate, and spokesperson for the SAS Advancement Office and programs.


*Participate collaboratively in team planning and solicitation strategy efforts within the SAS Advancement Office and across the University's Development and Alumni Relations (DAR).


*Represent SAS and the Advancement Office on University-wide committees as needed.


*Support the Vice Dean in her work with the SAS Board of Overseers and develop personal working relationships with those and other senior volunteers.


*Manage major gifts and alumni outreach staff and as well as an administrative assistant. Provide oversight and direction for the School's parents, planned giving, and alumni outreach programs. Develop a strong sense of teamwork, and an environment of mentoring and support.


*Serve as the delegate for the Vice Dean as needed with the 36 staff in the Advancement Office, the broader development community at Penn, and with academic and volunteer leaders as needed.


*Develop and implement performance metrics and assessment tools for the Advancement Office both individually and overall; devise and implement strategies to provide professional development for staff and to encourage their highest level of performance.


*Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a select portfolio of high-level donors and prospects. Achieve personal annual fundraising goals.


*Develop strategies to increase gift revenue, maintain and strengthen relationships with key volunteers, enhance volunteer engagement, and ensure that volunteer resources and tools are robust and effective. Lead efforts to identify and cultivate new donors and volunteers.


*Identify priorities for development communications and donor relations.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required and at least 10 years of progressively responsible development including at least five years of supervisory experience. Experience in an academic setting is strongly preferred, as is work in a campaign environment. Essential skills include:


*Strong record of accomplishment soliciting major and principal gifts ($5 million and above) from individual donors, and directing alumni engagement.
*Excellent management skills; the ability to set objectives and performance standards, provide constructive feedback, and achieve established program goals. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
*Ability to work effectively in a large, complex institutional setting and develop and sustain productive and effective relationships with donors, faculty, colleagues, and departmental senior management.
*Intellectual curiosity and commitment to the goals of a liberal arts education essential as is the ability to articulate the case for support;
Other important skills/attributes include:
*comfort with ambiguity and change;
*demonstrated tact, sensitivity, maturity, and good judgment; a
*Proven record of professionalism, entrepreneurialism, organizational, and creativity.


Must be willing to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed; valid driver's license required.

Reference Number: 02-30759

Salary Grade: 032

Employment Type: Exempt

Org: SAS Office of Advancement

Special Requirements:

Job Family: B-Executive/Managerial Administration