Major Gifts Officer, Senior

The Wharton School

. Report to the Director of Regional Development .

Posted 10/22/2026full-timePhiladelphia • Pennsylvania • United StatesSenior💰 $77,330 - $125,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in major gifts fundraising, including prospect management, cultivation, and solicitation strategies. Proven ability to collaborate with stakeholders and manage donor relationships effectively within a university environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Major Gifts FundraisingProspect ManagementDatabase ManipulationStrong Communication SkillsEvent Coordination

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Prospect QualificationCultivation StrategiesSolicitation PlanningMoves-Management ActivitiesGoal Setting and Achievement

Soft Skills

Independent FunctioningCollaborationEntrepreneurial InclinationCapacity for Hard Work

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft OfficeSalesforce

Industry Keywords

Institutional DevelopmentUniversity EnvironmentsAcademic MissionsDonor PipelineFundraising Framework

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Report to the Director of Regional Development
Manage identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of assigned prospects
Design, plan, and implement a major gifts plan to extend Wharton's domestic reach, expand its prospect base, and build the donor pipeline
Maintain approximately 150 top-tier prospects and an active solicitation schedule
Establish and meet annual goals for dollars asked and raised and donor/prospect visits
Conduct moves-management activities for prospects with giving ability ratings of $100,000 and above
Coordinate cultivation events and programs hosted by assigned prospects
Identify new prospective major gift donors and develop long-range involvement plans
Record prospect information and contacts in the institutional database of record
Collaborate with fundraisers across Wharton External Affairs and the University on alumni relationship building

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, for the Major Gifts Officer role
Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, for the Senior Major Gifts Officer role
Progressive experience in institutional development with emphasis on major gifts from individuals and organizations
Ability to function independently with an assigned group of prospects and collaborate with colleagues in a centralized fundraising framework
Experience interacting with faculty, School leadership, and CEO-level contacts
Strong oral and written communication skills
Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends, including major events such as Reunion Weekends
Ability to attend, participate in, facilitate, or lead on- and off-campus events outside normal business hours in Philadelphia and regional markets
Entrepreneurial inclination and capacity for hard work in a goal-oriented environment
Familiarity with database manipulation and computer software, preferably Microsoft Office and Salesforce
Knowledge of university environments and academic missions preferred
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
Flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children
Tuition assistance for dependent children at other institutions
Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans
TIAA and Vanguard investment options
Substantial paid time away from work
Long-term care insurance
Wellness and work-life programs and resources
Professional and personal development resources
Access to University libraries, athletic facilities, arboretum, art galleries, museums, cultural and recreational activities
Discounts on arts, entertainment, transportation, mortgages, goods, and services
Flexible work options and non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures
Forgivable home ownership loan for eligible employees in West Philadelphia
Adoption assistance for qualified expenses, up to two adoptions in the household