Major Gifts Officer – Senior

University of Pennsylvania

. Report to the Director of Regional Development .

Posted 10/22/2026full-timePhiladelphia • Pennsylvania • United StatesSenior💰 $100,000 - $125,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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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 QualificationMoves-Management ActivitiesGoal Setting and AchievementDonor Pipeline DevelopmentCultivation Event Planning

Soft Skills

Independent WorkCollaborative TeamworkEntrepreneurial MindsetStrong Work Ethic

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft OfficeSalesforce

Industry Keywords

Institutional DevelopmentUniversity EnvironmentsAcademic MissionsDonor Stewardship

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
Develop and 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 pertinent prospect information and contacts in the institutional database
Collaborate with fundraisers across the department and 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, required for the Major Gifts Officer role
Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, required for the Senior Major Gifts Officer role
Progressive experience in institutional development with emphasis on major gifts from individuals and organizations
Ability to work independently with an assigned group of prospects and collaboratively with colleagues
Experience interacting with faculty, School leadership, and CEO-level contacts
Strong oral and written communication skills
Travel and evening/weekend work required
Ability to attend, participate in, facilitate, or lead on- and off-campus events outside normal business hours, on the Philadelphia campus and in 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
Pre-tax or Roth retirement savings options
Investment options through TIAA and Vanguard
Substantial 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, music, theater, and recreational activities
Free and discounted admission and memberships to Penn arts and cultural centers and museums
Discounts on transportation, mortgages, cars, cellular phone plans, movie tickets, and theme parks
Flexible work options, including non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures
Forgivable loan for eligible employees buying a home or residing in West Philadelphia
Adoption assistance for qualified expenses, for up to two adoptions in the household