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CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

Penn State is currently seeking an Associate Vice President for Primary Giving to launch and lead an experienced team in fundraising for donors under $100,000. As a member of the Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DDAR), 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.

Reporting directly to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, the AVP will be critical in planning future university wide campaigns, identifying new donor pipelines and building a positive team environment. As a visionary and strategic leader, the AVP will collaborate closely with colleges, campuses, units, and the Penn State Alumni Association to align primary giving initiatives with institutional priorities. The AVP will be accountable for building data-driven strategies that engage, solicit and retain donors.

In addition, this Associate Vice President will:

Guide and partner on the strategy and execution of all primary giving programs, shaping distinct, customized methods of solicitation for PSU, including alumni, employees, retirees, students, families and friends;
Articulate Penn State’s needs, ambitions, and values through excellent informal and formal communications;
Lead and motivate teams of fundraising professionals, intentionally developing career pathways, maximizing strengths and identifying opportunities while inspiring a positive and supportive culture;
Leverage traditional solicitation methods with powerful digital initiatives that optimize emerging technologies and champion innovation;
Set programmatic performance targets in order to measure, evaluate and adapt tactics and investment. Targets include goals such as alumni participation and faculty/staff participation;
Collaborate with External Engagement to monitor and develop strategies to increase donor retention;
Develop and execute a plan to integrate annual giving, leadership annual giving and affinity giving to ensure a consistent donor experience;
Collaborate with development communications teams on creative concepts and briefs, copywriting and design for all primary giving efforts;
Collaborate with information systems, prospect management and business analytics teams to organize information to create reports that inform primary giving strategies, enhance data integrity and maximize use of the university’s constituent relationship management system;
Develop and sustain in-depth knowledge of Penn State’s education and healthcare funding priorities;
Build strong relationships with leaders and senior fundraisers across DDAR, including college, campus, unit, Alumni Association and Penn State Health teams, to ensure all strategies and goals are communicated, aligned and optimized;
Present performance reports to Penn State leaders and partners on a regular basis;
Leverage crowdfunding and peer-to-peer engagement opportunities, including Giving Day, to build cohorts of advocates;
Serve on university, health system and DDAR committees related to philanthropy;
Serve on the Development and Alumni Relations leadership team;
Participate in annual planning activities to optimize Penn State investment;
Develop, administer and monitor annual operating budgets;
Coordinate, support and drive operational efficiency in primary giving;
Anticipate and protect DDAR from creating risk to the university and health system enterprise, especially reputational and data protection risks;
Engage stakeholders in colleges, campuses, and units to understand shared goals and vision;
Identify and address best practices in change management;
Ensure documentation of project management and business processes.

The successful candidate will have:

Senior leadership experience in annual giving and frontline fundraising, particularly in an institution of higher education and/or healthcare;
Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills;
The ability to create and maintain an inclusive and respectful environment for all students and colleagues;
Experience implementing innovative technical solutions, such as AI and digital fundraising;
Experience with affinity and peer-to-peer giving strategies;
Knowledge and experience in both alumni and grateful patient fundraising;
Sound professional judgment, including proven ability to solve problems, prioritize tasks, respond to questions and make decisions while also functioning as a leader in a shared governance organization;
Success in developing and advocating for staff of varying levels of expertise and accountability;
Enthusiasm for new opportunities in the fundraising discipline of donor pipeline development, affinity giving and primary giving;
Experience in project management and business process development;
Strong proficiency with data analytics and technology tools;
Strong executive communications skills, including an ability to articulate plans and present results;
The professional demeanor required to engage and leverage senior leadership, volunteer leadership and other fundraising stakeholders;
Experience with MS Office Suite software including MS Word and Excel;
Proven track record of effective change management;
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.

DDAR is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. Questions related to flexible work arrangements should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Due to the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of this position, successful completion of a credit history check will be required in addition to standard background checks. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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