Associate Director of Stewardship Operations, Wharton External Affairs

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

Job Profile Title

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Analyze current donor relations activities and processes and identify opportunities for efficiency and enhancement. This includes the processes that support a range of donor-facing content, primarily donor impact reports, acknowledgments, and other letters of gratitude.
• Audit existing funds, maintain continuously refreshed records, accounting for newly created and amended funds, for Wharton's various endowed and term donor funds. This will support the stewardship reporting structure and enable enhanced analytics, outreach, and efficiency. This will span reports on undergraduate and graduate student aid, research programs and centers, and professorships and other faculty support, among others.
• Work hand in hand with Principal Gift and Development colleagues and research program colleagues to gather, update, and disseminate fund information to support an optimal donor experience, while abiding by the University's privacy standards.
• Assess donor relations activities provided at different giving levels and to varying areas across the School, identifying areas of opportunity for enhanced donor stewardship that inspires giving.
• Write gift acknowledgments and impact reports during peak periods and to large volume areas of support, such as student aid and faculty support.
• Keep apprised of University and industry best practices in donor relations operations and processes, liaise with University colleagues on optimal uses and opportunities with the donor database and other current and future resources and platforms to support efficient and effective donor outreach.
• Bring your understanding of different giving types - including principal giving, major giving, corporate and foundation giving, and more - and factor this into the processes you support and advise upon.
• Balance an approach that can go deep on one individual and vast in terms of various donor audiences, particularly as they relate to the School's fundraising priorities.
• Engage as a member of a holistic Donor Relations team, including exchanging information and insights with colleagues to create a positive donor experience and contribute to a workplace environment of continuous learning and connection.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 2 to 3 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, is required.
• At least 2- 3 years of experience in fundraising and development processes, preferably with involvement in stewardship and donor relations.
• Exceptional research, analytical, and execution skills along with the ability to engage with colleagues to learn about current activities and future needs to adapt systems and processes toward. Comfort analyzing data and utilizing it to inform strategy and operations.
• Outstanding detail orientation and perseverance in managing long-term fund audits from start to finish, while planning ahead for continuous updates and tending to time-sensitive, near-term tasks.
• An ability to build relationships with colleagues across departments and navigate a complex environment of stakeholders throughout the School and University.
• A high level of discretion with respect for sensitive data and best practices in safeguarding donor information.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as effectively as a member of a team.
• Excellent project management and strategic planning skills, with the ability to manage and meet multiple deadlines and track activities in a fast-paced, high volume environment.
• Occasional evening and weekend work and travel are required to support alumni and donor events.

Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume.

Job Location - City, State

Department / School

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, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be 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