Position Announcement: Assistant Dean for External Affairs

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT:

ASSISTANT DEAN FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
SCHOOL OF DESIGN, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
January 2011

Position Overview:

Responsible to the Dean of the School of Design and the Assistant Vice President for School and Center Programs, the Assistant Dean for External Affairs oversees fundraising and alumni relations activities on behalf of the School of Design. The Assistant Dean will be responsible for conceptualizing, planning and executing a coordinated program of fundraising including supervision of alumni affairs, annual giving, and capital development programs, within the context of the University's "Making History" campaign and any subsequent development initiatives. The Assistant Dean will collaborate with the University's central development organization, draw on its support services, and integrate the School's initiatives with the University's overall fundraising design.

The Assistant Dean will be an integral member of the Dean's core planning team and will work closely with the Dean and members of the faculty, as well as the board of Overseers and various volunteer groups, promoting their active involvement in the fundraising process, and orchestrating the use of their time and talent to advance the School's quest for gift support. The Assistant Dean will prescribe appropriate courses of action for pursuing major gift opportunities and will engage the Dean and others in executing the required cultivation and solicitation initiatives.

Specific Responsibilities:

Assist the Dean and collaborate with School's faculty and administrators in the identification of opportunities, resources and needs, setting goals and priorities, and other aspects of the School's strategic plan. Analyze data on potential donor sources (individuals, corporations, foundations); identify appropriate techniques for obtaining major gifts; organize and oversee the work of volunteers and support staff; evaluate an appeal to a particular donor in terms of size of gift, timing and method of giving and fundraising efforts with faculty and academic officers; solicit gifts when appropriate and establish effective procedures for sustaining donor interest and cultivating new gift opportunities. Supervise two staff members, including Assistant Director , Development and Alumni Relations; and Communications Coordinator.

Qualifications:

Education

Graduation from a recognized college or university, preferably an institution of comparable quality and/or scale to the University of Pennsylvania. Bachelor's Degree required; Master's Degree preferred.

Training and Experience

Five or more years of fundraising experience, preferably within an arts-related institution or a research university comparable to the University of Pennsylvania.

Job Knowledge and Personal Skills

1) Proven record of successful fundraising experience, particularly related to major gifts solicitation, in a well established and recognized non-profit institution. Thorough familiarity with the fundamental precepts, tools and methodologies of fundraising. Experience in implementing a strategic plan and managing outcomes required as well as the ability to achieve objectives in a goal oriented environment.

2) Capacity to understand and articulate the mission of the School of Design and interact comfortably with those individuals and constituency groups that are crucial to its advancement.

3) Solid management skills and the ability to establish objectives, set performance standards and organize and motivate staff and volunteers to achieve fundraising goals.

4) A thorough appreciation of the need for academic planning and its essential relationship to the effective application of basic fundraising principles.

5) Ability to analyze funding sources and relate their potential to the academic goals of the School; more particularly, to organize practical strategies for realizing gift opportunities.

6) Strong communication and presentation skills, both oral and written. High motivation and capacity for hard work within the context of an intensely goal-oriented environment. Must be a well-organized self-starter.

7) Ability to function independently, yet relate comfortably to a centralized framework for fundraising, participating in and contributing to a total team effort.

Apply

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Members of minority groups, women, Individuals with disabilities, and veterans are especially encouraged to apply.

https://jobs.hr.upenn.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1298472605761

Contact

Janet Kroll
Associate Dean for Administration, PennDesign
jankroll@design.upenn.edu
215.898.6213