Executive Director, Penn College Foundation

Overview

This person serves as a key strategic partner to the Vice President for College Relations, assisting with both operational and strategic planning for the division. The role is responsible for comprehensive fundraising efforts, including planning and executing the solicitation of funds from private and public foundations, securing grants, major and planned giving, and overseeing the administration of the Penn College Foundation.  

This position may require Intrastate and out-of-state travel and must be willing to work evenings and weekends, as needed, to participate in Foundation and other College Relations activities and to meet with prospective donors at their convenience.

Benefits include: medical and dental insurances, retirement plans, paid time off, educational benefits for employees and dependents at Penn College and Penn State University, and more. For additional information, click here.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communication, Public Administration, or related discipline. Required
• Master's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communication, Public Administration, or related discipline. Preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Valid and in State Valid Driver's License. Required

EXPERIENCE

• Five (5) years of successful experience in fundraising. Required
• Eight to Ten (8–10) years of progressive fundraising experience, including demonstrated success in major gift development and donor portfolio management. Preferred
• Experience tracking, monitoring and maintaining a financial portfolio. Required
• Experience with constituent databases, such as Raiser's Edge. Preferred
• Expertise in preparing publications. Preferred

ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with other persons at various levels of responsibility. Required
• Excellent oral and written communications skills. Required
• Ability to follow-through on complex, planned activities. Required
• Must be well organized, able to work on own initiative, and capable of making sound decisions. Required
• Must be able to work with limited supervision. Required
• Demonstrated thorough understanding of investment portfolio development and management. Required

Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a key partner to  the Vice President for College Relations in formulating long-range fundraising and financial plans to support institutional initiatives. Strategic
• Develops, leads and evaluates the Foundation’s initiatives to ensure growth in philanthropic support.
• Lead fundraising strategy development surrounding Global Experiences in partnership with the faculty liaison for Global Experiences.
• Develop, evaluate and recommend policies, procedures, and practices related to institutional fundraising, including standard communications and database management and reporting systems, to improve overall effectiveness.
• Create and implement solicitation strategies across a variety of constituencies, including alumni, corporate partners, and community stakeholders. Develop an annual plan and budget for Foundation and other activities, operations. Recommend periodic modifications to the Vice President as appropriate.

Major Gifts & Fundraising

• Develop and manage a fundraising portfolio consisting of friends of the college, alumni, corporate partners, and community groups to secure financial support for identified fundraising priorities.
• Cultivate relationships and solicit contributions and funds. Ensure appropriate stewardship of gifts, including periodic donor reports.
• Lead and/or assist in a Planned Giving Program for lifetime and testamentary gifts through trusts, bequests, annuities and other forms of deferred giving, and other specialized giving efforts.
• Serve as an authorized representative of the College in accepting gifts in accordance with the policies, procedures, and directives of the College.

Donor & Board Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison with the Penn College Foundation Board.
• Serve as liaison to the Program Advisory Committees, Foundation Committees, the College’s Scholarship Committee and other groups connected to private giving programs and activities.
• Represent College Relations in the absence of the Vice President as needed.

Foundation Operations & Governance

• Maintain Foundation by-laws, ensuring they represent current best practices and recommend modification of by-laws, policies and practices to the Vice President as appropriate.
• Oversee Foundation governance processes, including coordination of Board of Directors meetings and related communications. Maintain current knowledge of investment regulations, tax law, and IRS requirements; implement same for donors and the College
• In collaboration with internal partners, monitor and report on Foundation investments and financial performance to the Vice President.
• Oversee financial operations, including cash forecasting, reconciliation of accounts, and internal controls related to donations and investments
• Provide supervision and oversight on all gift entry and recording to ensure integrity of data.

Collaboration & Institutional Engagement

• Compile information needed/requested by the Vice President relative to private giving programs and Foundation activities.
• Develop annual, periodic, and ad hoc reports as needed.

Strategic Initiatives & Programs

• Complete annual assessment reports and assist in accreditation reporting.
• Participate in seminars, conferences, workshops, guidelines meetings or other professional development activities to enhance professional abilities.

Staff Supervision

• Supervise and provide leadership to Foundation staff.
• Ensure appropriate oversight of operational functions, including gift processing and reporting

Physical Standards and Special Job Features

None

Pay Transparency

College Statement

This is not a complete itemization of all facets of this position. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. The College has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without prior notice.

EEO Statement

Penn College is committed to equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce.

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