Current Career Opportunities
Penn State is always looking for talented professionals to join the development team.
To apply for a position within the Division of Development and Alumni Relations, please visit the Penn State Office of Human Resources Employment Web site. You will need to reference the Job number listed next to the position.
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Last Updated: November 19, 2009
Current Openings
Major Gifts Officer 1, Engineering (Job #31094)
Penn State’s Office of University Development is seeking a Major Gifts Officer (Development Assistant) in the College of Engineering. The job reports directly to the Director of Development for the College of Engineering. It is responsible for working with the Director of Development on the organization and execution of fundraising programs and related activities for the College. The Development Assistant will work with and help to manage the activities of the Alumni Society Board, the annual giving program and will assist in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors. In addition, the job will assist in developing fundraising plans for prospects, plan and implement on- and off-campus alumni and cultivation events and assist in the development and production of communication tools, proposals, and reports. The Development Assistant provides support with general correspondence, prepares regular progress reports, and maintains records and files. Travel may be required to visit prospects and donors. Typically requires Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The successful candidate must possess exemplary interpersonal skills and demonstrate a genuine appreciation in working with diverse audiences. This is a fixed-term appointment funded for one year from date of hire with excellent possibility of re-funding.
To apply for this position, please visit the Penn State Office of Human Resources Employment Web site. You will need to reference the Job number listed next to the position.
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Corporate and Foundation Relations Officer (Job #31063)
Penn State’s Office of University Development is seeking a Corporate and Foundation Relations Officer (Assistant Director). As part of the central development staff, the Assistant Director will work across the University to establish strategies to proactively identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward potential corporate and foundation prospects. The successful candidate will assist with the entire grant seeking process, focusing on writing and editing proposals and providing assistance with post-award stewardship activities, as well as preparing other materials and informational pieces for the office. Ability to synthesize complex ideas into coherent, compelling grant proposals seeking major philanthropic support from foundations and corporations. The successful candidate will be able to work both independently and as part of a team and possess demonstrated personal initiative. The Assistant Director reports directly to the Director of the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations. Develop complete and persuasive grant materials and proposals, conceptual plans, letters of inquiry, funder’s forms required for submission, renewal grant applications, and other corporate and foundation correspondence. Conduct extensive research and analyze data to prepare these materials; proactively identify and approach potential corporate and foundations funders. Assist with managing stewardship programs for corporate and foundation donors; write stewardship correspondence and end-of-grant reports to current funders to provide detailed feedback on the use and impact of their funding. Prepare presentations and other written materials for events related to donors and potential donors. Provide support to the Director for the Corporate Campaign Committee, including preparing meeting arrangements, agendas, and minutes. Oversee the development, in coordination with the Office of Development Communications, of all of the office’s printed materials, including brochures, pamphlets, letters and information/promotional materials which will be used to promote stronger ties to corporate and foundation prospects. This job will be filled as a level 2 or level 3, depending upon the successful candidate’s education and experience. Minimum educational and work-related experience requirements are: Bachelor’s degree plus two year of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous experience in higher education and a proven track record in securing six- to seven-figure gifts from corporations and foundations preferred. Demonstrate excellent writing, editing, project management, and computer skills. Creative and professional self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit and precise attention to detail. The successful candidate must possess exemplary interpersonal skills and demonstrate a genuine appreciation in working with diverse audiences.
To apply for this position, please visit the Penn State Office of Human Resources Employment Web site. You will need to reference the Job number listed next to the position.
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Major Gifts Officer, College of Education (Job #30875)
Penn State’s Office of University Development is seeking a Major Gifts Officer (Associate/Assistant Director of Development). Report directly to the Director of Development for the College of Education. Will assist in the execution of fundraising programs designed to secure major gifts to the College of Education and the University. Assist and/or advise University Development staff and others in the process of identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major gift prospects. Work closely with the Director of Development for the College of Education to establish, implement, and evaluate plans for major gift solicitation strategies. Match College of Education and University strengths with prospective donor interests. Prepare, review, edit, and package formal proposals. Collate and interpret available research data pertinent to the development of relationships with potential donors. Expected to complete an average minimum of fifteen (15) monthly visits with prospects and donors. This job will be filled as level 2 (intermediate) or level 3 (mid-level), depending upon the successful candidate’s education and experience. Minimum educational and work-related experience requirements are: Bachelor’s degree plus two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience in fundraising. Extensive travel is required. The successful candidate must possess exemplary interpersonal skills and demonstrate a genuine appreciation in working with diverse audiences.
To apply for this position, please visit the Penn State Office of Human Resources Employment Web site. You will need to reference the Job number listed next to the position.
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Programmer/Analyst, Annual Giving (Job #30798)
Responsible for the design and implementation of systems. Consult with various University departments on system design, programming, and user support. Conduct studies of major system problems. Perform and document tasks for assignments and establish schedules for project completion. Interface with data processing personnel in implementing and maintaining systems. Implement proposal systems and insure proper customer utilization. Develop precise problem definition and conduct investigations of systems designed to verify the validity, utilization, and satisfaction of customers. Finalize system design recommendations and make formal presentations to management. Consult with management personnel to develop system specifications and act as project leader for analysis, programming, and implementation. This job will be filled at the appropriate level, depending upon the successful candidate’s education and experience. Minimum educational and work-related experience requirements are: Associate’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced working skills in SQL and Microsoft Access required. Preference will be given to candidates with a strong knowledge and understanding of fundraising techniques, direct marketing tactics and/or e-commerce. The successful candidate must possess exemplary interpersonal skills and demonstrate a genuine appreciation in working with diverse audiences. Flexibility and ability to work on a variety of different and changing projects and priorities a plus.
To apply for this position, please visit the Penn State Office of Human Resources Employment Web site. You will need to reference the Job number listed next to the position.
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Major Gifts Officer 2/3, Penn State College of Medicine (Job #30752)
Responsible for individual gift prospects for select clinical departments and projects within Penn State College of Medicine. Supervise and/or coordinate all fund-raising activities for these areas. Responsibilities include developing strategies for individual prospective donors, including coordinating volunteer and physician interaction with prospects; coordinating department and division-based special events; and coordinating or preparing major gift proposals. Develop an understanding of the educational, research, clinical and financial needs and goals of Penn State College of Medicine and School of Medicine. Perform needs analysis for Department and Division Heads to which this job is assigned on an on-going basis to establish development objectives. Formulate and recommend major prospect strategies and timelines based on the needs and goals of these departments and divisions. Coordinate the participation of faculty, administration, trustees/volunteers, and other members of the Development staff in achieving campaign goals. Identify, cultivate, and solicit individual prospects in consultation with faculty and Development staff. Direct and prepare major prospect proposals, and cultivation and solicitation materials. Plan, coordinate, and direct visits and special events for prospects and donors. Prepare briefing documents for senior administrators, volunteers and faculty. Oversee stewardship activities with assigned prospects. Report regularly on all fund-raising activity through active implementation of the major gifts tracking/reporting/moves management system. Requires Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) and three years of progressively responsible fund-raising experience in higher education with emphasis on major gifts from individuals and organizations, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in an academic medical center or a large scientific/health care research institution is preferred. Proven track record of successful major gift ($50,000+) solicitations. Knowledge or experience in planned giving is desired. Ability to function independently, yet work in a centralized development structure. Strong administrative experience and ability to establish objectives, set performance standards, and organize a successful approach to achieving fund-raising goals. Ability to travel both locally and nationally. The successful candidate must possess exemplary interpersonal skills and a genuine appreciation in working with diverse audiences.
To apply for this position, please visit the Penn State Office of Human Resources Employment Web site. You will need to reference the Job number listed next to the position.
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Major Gifts Officer 4, Director of Major Gifts, Smeal College of Business (Job #30310)
Penn State’s Office of University Development is seeking a Major Gifts Officer (Director of Major Gifts) for the Smeal College of Business. Penn State is entering the quiet phase of a $1 Billion plus capital campaign and the fundraising efforts of the College of Business will play an integral role in the University’s successful completion of this campaign. The job reports directly to the Director of Development and also has a close working relationship with the Dean and Department Heads of the College. The successful candidate will focus on prospects with gift capacities of $50,000 or greater. The successful candidate will need to think strategically to help plan and implement major gift fundraising efforts on behalf of the Smeal College of Business in order to identify, cultivate, and solicit alumni and other key constituents. In consultation with the Director of Development and the Office of University Development, this Major Gifts Officer will work on: gift strategy, proposal development, prospect/donor visitation and related follow-up. Expected to complete an average minimum of fifteen (15) monthly visits with prospects and donors. May supervise assigned staff. Extensive travel is required. Requires Bachelor’s degree plus four years of fundraising experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The successful candidate must possess exemplary interpersonal skills and demonstrate a genuine appreciation in working with diverse audiences.
To apply for this position, please visit the Penn State Office of Human Resources Employment Web site. You will need to reference the Job number listed next to the position.
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Major Gifts Officer 5, Penn State Brandywine (Job #30224)
Penn State’s Office of University Development is seeking a Director of Development for the Penn State Brandywine campus. This senior major gifts fundraising job will be responsible for planning, directing and providing leadership to Penn State’s new campaign for Brandywine. This job reports to the Executive Director of Development, Commonwealth Campuses and has a close working partnership with the Chancellor of Penn State Brandywine. The Director is responsible for the oversight and management of the fundraising efforts for over 10,000 alumni and annual receipt goals in excess of $350,000. Provide professional guidance and leadership in identifying and executing strategies that are most likely to be achieved through private philanthropy are part of the Director’s responsibility. The Director is responsible for developing annual goal setting and fundraising plans and directing related activities in support of these goals and objectives. This person will personally manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and will work to identify, cultivate and solicit alumni and other donors in support of Penn State Brandywine’s fundraising goals. The Director will work collaboratively with the Chancellor of Penn State Brandywine, campaign committee volunteers and central University Development staff to ensure fundraising success. The Director will work to engage department heads and faculty in the fundraising enterprise, manage and guide the existing staff to work collaboratively across Penn State Brandywine and the University to achieve maximum fundraising productivity. The Director will recruit, train and manage a volunteer campaign committee, and is expected to complete an average minimum of twelve (12) monthly visits with prospects and donors. The Director is responsible for proposing and managing the development budget for the campus. Requires Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) plus five years of fundraising-related experience, preferably within higher education or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Travel is required. Prior campaign experience is preferred. The successful candidate must possess outstanding written and oral communication skills and demonstrate a genuine appreciation in working with diverse audiences.
To apply for this position, please visit the Penn State Office of Human Resources Employment Web site. You will need to reference the Job number listed next to the position.
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Major Gifts Officer 4, IST (Job #29346)
Penn State’s Office of University Development is seeking a Director of Development to lead the fundraising efforts of the College of Information Sciences and Technology. Penn State is in the quiet phase of a $1 billion plus capital campaign and the fundraising efforts of IST will play an integral role in the University’s successful completion of this campaign. This senior development job reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Development and also has a close working relationship with the Dean for IST and directs the fundraising activities of the unit. The successful candidate will focus on prospects with gift capacities of $50,000 or greater. The successful candidate will need to think strategically to help plan and implement major gift fundraising efforts on behalf of the College of IST and the research mission of the University in order to identify, cultivate, and solicit alumni and other key constituents. In consultation with the Dean and the Office of University Development, this Director of Development will work on: gift strategy, proposal development, prospect/donor visitation and related follow-up. He/she is expected to complete an average minimum of twelve monthly visits with prospects and donors. Requires Bachelor’s degree (graduate degree highly preferred) plus four years of fundraising experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Extensive travel is required. The successful candidate must possess exemplary interpersonal skills, excellent written and oral communication skills and demonstrate a genuine appreciation for working with diverse audiences. Supervision of staff is required.
To apply for this position, please visit the Penn State Office of Human Resources Employment Web site. You will need to reference the Job number listed next to the position.