Director of Principal Giving, Wharton External Affairs

University of Pennsylvania•Philadelphia, PA

5d•$109,000 - $150,000

About The Position

Wharton School Overview Founded in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year 13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education’s individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a dynamic community of staff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu. This roles serves as a senior thought partner to Wharton's Senior Managing Director of Principal Giving, helping to shape and execute the strategic vision for principal giving, aligning institutional priorities with transformational philanthropic opportunities. The role translates high-level fundraising strategy into actionable plans, benchmarks, and engagement models, serving as a key advisor on principal-level campaign strategy and goal setting. The position manages a portfolio of approximately 75 principal-level donors and prospects, developing and executing highly individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies in partnership with senior academic and institutional leadership. The role is responsible for advancing transformational gifts and strengthening relationships through travel, events, and direct engagement. In addition, the position ensures alignment of principal giving efforts across Wharton External Affairs, Strategic Partnerships, and Penn Development & Alumni Relations (DAR), facilitating cross-campus coordination and integrated donor strategies. The role also partners closely with Wharton Executive Boards and University Trustees to advance institutional priorities. Overall, this is a highly strategic, externally-facing leadership role focused on securing transformational principal-level philanthropy while ensuring cross-campus alignment and campaign integration.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least 7-10 years of experience, or equivalent combination of experience and education required.
Demonstrated experience in higher education advancement or a comparable complex institutional environment is preferred.
Proven ability to operate independently while working collaboratively across teams and contributing to shared goals.
Experience engaging confidently with senior academic leaders, trustees, and C-suite–level executives.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling donor communications and briefing materials.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly and work evenings and weekends as needed; valid driver’s license required.
Results-oriented and entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to thrive in a highly goal-driven, fast-paced, and collaborative environment.
Proficiency in donor databases and standard business software applications, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Understanding of the university landscape and appreciation for the academic mission strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership & Vision: Partner with the Senior Managing Director to shape and execute the strategic vision for principal giving, aligning institutional priorities with transformational philanthropic opportunities. Translate high-level fundraising strategy into actionable plans, benchmarks, and team objectives; Serve as a key advisor in setting fundraising goals, campaign strategies, and engagement models for principal-level prospects.
Portfolio Management & Donor Strategy: Manage a portfolio of 75 principal-level donors and prospects, developing and executing individualized engagement and solicitation strategies; Partner closely with senior academic and institutional leadership to cultivate and steward transformational gifts; Travel and host events as required to strengthen relationships and advance solicitations.
Campaign & Cross-Departmental Coordination: Campaign & Cross-Campus Coordination: Liaise across Wharton External Affairs (WHEA) to ensure integrated strategies for principal prospects; Align principal giving strategies with campaign priorities and Wharton & Penn initiatives; Facilitate collaboration among development colleagues to maximize donor engagement and minimize duplication of effort. Work closely with members of the Strategic Partnerships group and partner on multi-disciplinary opportunities led by Wharton across schools and centers. Liaise with Penn’s Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) to ensure integrated strategies for principal prospects.
Board & Trustee Engagement: Partner closely with members of Wharton Executive Boards and University Trustees.

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.