Associate Director of Development for Undergraduate Financial Aid

Associate Director of Development for Undergraduate Financial Aid Location Philadelphia, PA : 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 2025. 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 Associate Director of Development for Undergraduate Financial Aid Job Profile Title Assistant Development Officer B Summary The Undergraduate Financial Aid & Penn First Plus Development team (UGFA Dev) serves as the central driving and coordinating resource for activity related to fundraising, communications, and stewardship for Undergraduate Financial Aid and Penn First Plus (P1P). The department's mission is to lead the philanthropic activity necessary to strengthen resources that make a Penn undergraduate education affordable and ensure that every student, regardless of financial circumstances and family background, can experience Penn to the fullest extent possible. Reporting to and working closely with the Executive Director of Development for Undergraduate Financial Aid and Penn First Plus, the Senior Associate Director will lead fundraising strategies for the Undergraduate Financial Aid Development program, which includes approximately 4,000 major donors who support over 2,500 scholarships and Penn First Plus funds benefiting over 2,500 undergraduates annually. The Associate Director plays an important role overseeing annual fundraising for this critical University priority with a $50M+ annual fundraising goal. The Associate Director will serve as a deputy to the Executive Director on the Undergraduate Financial Aid Development Team on fundraising matters requiring maturity and competent decision making and effective leadership and planning skills. A passion for educational access and affordability is highly desired. Specific responsibilities of the position include the following:

• Frontline fundraising responsibilities include the solicitation of scholarship and Penn First Plus major gifts independently and in partnership with colleagues on central and school-based development teams.
• Act as an internal consultant to colleagues, advising on strategy and logistics of scholarship gifts and stewardship.
• Cultivate existing donors through visits and other forms of communication serving as a resource for ongoing questions and requests.
• Plan, execute and participate in regional receptions/salons/dinners with current and prospective major donors and leadership volunteers in partnership with the Executive Director and DAR colleagues.
• Manage and support leadership volunteers on the Undergraduate Financial Aid Leadership Council including the Committee for Penn First Plus and as needed with other boards.
• Work closely with front line fundraisers across DAR to maintain UGFA and P1P prospect pipeline
• Collaborate with internal partners in DAR Advancement Services, Information Services and Computing, the Office of the Treasurer, and SRFS to ensure smooth fundraising operations for the department; advocate and influence decisions to find specific solutions for the needs of the program.
• Direct the execution of individual and group donor/student gatherings related to the program.
• Review gift agreements for fundraising and stewardship strategy and to ensure compliance with University policies, donor intentions and the long term sustainability of the gift structure
• Work directly with appropriate sensitivity and communications with undergraduate student scholarship recipients related to their participation in the Named Scholarship Program and Penn First Plus.
• Lead department data analysis and prospecting efforts for the program with productive partnerships with DAR Advancement Services, SRFS, Institutional Research and other campus partners.
• Direct the running of efficient and effective systems in the department related to gifts processing, challenge fund administration, and the donor and scholarship databases.
• Manage work study students.
Qualifications
• BA/BS degree
• Three to five years of experience, preferably in higher education with experience in leadership gifts solicitation or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Familiarity with Penn and/or solid understanding of a major research university environment
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral; superb donor relations abilities; excellent initiative, attention to detail and planning skills
• Ability to work independently, but collaboratively, in goal-oriented team setting
• Successful experience managing complex projects in a fast-paced environment
Job Location - City, State Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department / School Development and Alumni Relations Pay Range $51,824.00 - $90,421.24 Annual Rate Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile. Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class. Special Requirements Background check 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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