Major Gifts Officer​/Sr. Major Gifts Officer, Penn Nursing Development

Major Gifts Officer / Sr. Major Gifts Officer

Posted Date:
May 19, 2026

Salary: $77,000 – $118,000

The Associate Director/ Sr. Associate Director, Major Gifts identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individual and institutional prospects for the School of Nursing. The MGO/SR MGO plans, coordinates, and implements development efforts and works closely with faculty and staff across the school, handling communication, events, and volunteer/board management.

• Manage a portfolio of 125–150 qualified potential donors with the capacity of making gifts of $250,000 or more, developing long‑term strategies in line with university priorities.
• Complete 120 donor meetings annually with qualified prospects to engage, cultivate, and solicit gifts.
• Solicit 12–15 major gifts annually; first‑year targets may be lower.
• Develop an understanding of the educational, research, innovation, and financial needs and goals of Penn Nursing.
• Speak passionately about the School’s history, achievements, and strategic direction, and articulate this vision to diverse audiences.
• Represent Penn Nursing’s mission and fundraising priorities to constituencies and stakeholders.
• Possibly manage volunteer committee of the board of advisors, ensuring proper staffing, deployment, and satisfaction.
• Report regularly to the Vice Dean of Development and collaborate with colleagues on all fundraising activity via the major gifts tracking and moves management system.
• Collaborate with university leadership and development colleagues on all matters regarding assigned prospects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years of major‑gift fundraising experience (or 5–7 years for senior), or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Entrepreneurial and strategic thinker with a proven record of successful major gifts.
• Commitment to the School’s Guiding Principles:
  Embrace Diversity & Inclusion;
  Treat others with respect;
  Act with empathy;
  Dialogue to learn;
  Strive for excellence.
• Preferred familiarity with Penn and its mission or nursing/healthcare.
• Proven ability to develop and foster trust‑based relationships at all levels and influence through clear communication and follow‑through.
• Self‑motivated with the ability to work independently and in teams, maintaining high personal standards aligned with Penn’s commitment to excellence.
• Strong strategic planning and project management skills, monitoring progress against goals and measuring success.
• Discretion, good judgment, and commitment to keep all data related to Penn and its alumni and donors confidential.
• Flexibility and resilience.
• Exceptional written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically frequently and work occasional weekends and evenings.
• Ability to distill information from many sources into core messages for strategic communication.
• Adaptability to rapidly changing environments.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Development and Alumni Relations

$77,330.00 – $ Annual Rate

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. The scope of the background check will be tailored to the position’s requirements.

Penn offers comprehensive health, life, and dental insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their families, generous retirement plans, flexible spending accounts, wellness programs, and professional development resources. Faculty and staff also have access to university facilities, cultural activities, and a range of discounted services.