Assistant Director of Annual Leadership Gifts

Annual Leadership Gifts Officers are needed to strategically assist the Office of Annual Giving in its efforts to encourage and increase participation in the President's Club gift recognition society (minimum annual gifts of $2,500 required) and various other work.

The University is committed to ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the success of a world-class research institution. We are dedicated to fostering institutional change required to realize a more socially just University and we value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

Reporting to the Annual Leadership Gifts Manager and working closely with partners across the University, the Assistant Director of Annual Leadership Gifts will:

• Establish, implement, and evaluate plans to solicit philanthropic support from alumni, parents and others who may have the potential to make annual gifts

• Articulate Penn State's needs, ambitions, and values, including diversity, equity, and inclusion, through excellent informal and formal communications

• Conduct discovery visits to assess, cultivate, and solicit a portfolio of leadership annual giving prospects for gifts between $1,000 to $10,000 annually

• Effectively communicate the mission of The Pennsylvania State University and promote a comprehensive understanding of the philanthropic priorities of the University

• Make a minimum of 144 solicitations per fiscal year and average at least 188 visits per fiscal year

• Prepare, review and package proposal, solicitation, and cultivation materials

• Prepare correspondence to prospects and all contact reporting in a professional and timely manner

• Refer President's Club donors who have potential to make a major gift to the appropriate college, campus, or academic unit

• Work in coordination with the Manager of Annual Leadership Gifts to create annual solicitation goals and metrics to ensure effective and inclusive solicitation strategies, including coordinating efforts with the Office of Annual Giving

This position requires a Bachelor's degree plus one year of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Prefer individuals who have completed the CASE Summer Internship or are candidates for the CASE Graduate Trainee Program. The successful candidate will also have:

• An interest and passion for contributing to Penn State's mission as a land-grant institution of higher education and the Division of Development & Alumni Relations' mandate to support and enhance that mission through philanthropy

• A dedication to and understanding of the skills required to build relationships with diverse communities

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

• Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills

• A proven ability to self-motivate and work both independently and as part of a team

• A commitment to professional development, learning, and being mentored

Operation of a motor vehicle as part of the position's duties and a valid driver's license are required. Successful completion of a motor vehicle records check, in addition to standard background checks, is also required.

The primary location for the role is State College PA, at the University Park campus.

Penn State's Division of Development and Alumni Relations

As a member of the Division of Development and Alumni Relations Development, you can play an integral role in Penn State's future and contribute to one of the most successful fundraising and alumni relations operations in the country. We're looking for leaders who believe in the power of higher education-and philanthropy-to shape the public good. Learn more about the Division of Development and Alumni Relations at raise.psu.edu and explore the success of our most recent campaign at greaterpennstate.psu.edu

Building a Career and a Life at Penn State