Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, Wharton External Affairs

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, Wharton External Affairs

Job Profile Title

Director D, Development, Fundraising

Job Description Summary

Wharton School Overview

Founded in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year 13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education’s individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a dynamic community of staff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

The Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives plays a critical role in enhancing and supporting the Wharton School's fundraising efforts by leading initiatives that align with and advance the School's strategic priorities. Reporting to the Senior Managing Director of Development, the Senior Director serves as a key thought partner and project manager across the External Affairs division, Wharton faculty leadership, and University stakeholders. This individual manages a focused portfolio of prospects whose philanthropic interests align with institutional goals, ensuring that cultivation strategies and cases for support are tailored to those intersections.

Job Description

In collaboration with major and principal gift teams, the Senior Director acts as a strategic development partner-identifying compelling funding opportunities, shaping thoughtful engagement plans, and advancing the School's highest-priority initiatives. A central part of the role involves building and maintaining a robust pipeline of prospective donors aligned with Wharton's funding needs, while proactively identifying new opportunities that support emerging initiatives and broader campaign objectives.

The Senior Director works closely with School and Center leadership-including research center faculty, program directors, and Senior Vice Deans-to support the articulation of funding needs, develop persuasive cases for support, and facilitate meaningful engagement with potential donors. As Wharton prepares for future campaign efforts, the Senior Director provides strategic leadership in the execution of high-impact initiatives that strengthen alumni philanthropic engagement.

Additionally, the Senior Director partners with the External Affairs communications team to ensure messaging and outreach materials align with fundraising goals and clearly represent academic and programmatic priorities. This role requires a strategic thinker and strong collaborator who can translate institutional priorities into compelling opportunities for donor investment.

Job Responsibilities* Manage a focused portfolio of prospects whose philanthropic interests align with Wharton’s strategic priorities, tailor cultivation strategies and cases for support accordingly.

• Collaborate with the major and principal gift teams to identify funding opportunities, develop engagement strategies, and advance the School�s top initiatives.
  
• Build and sustain a robust pipeline of prospective donors aligned with key funding priorities; proactively identify and assess new donor opportunities.
  
• Partner with School and Center leadership-faculty directors, program directors, Senior Vice Deans-to define funding needs, shape cases for support, and engage donors effectively.
  
• Collaborates with fundraising and communication teams to align messaging with fundraising goals and effectively represent academic and program needs.
  
• Strategically prepare the Wharton School for campaign design and readiness, working with administrators and colleagues across the School and the University.
  

Qualifications* A Bachelor of Science and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

• Experience managing complex issues and problem-solving
  
• Excellent writing and communication skills
  
• Supervisory experience and/or experience in managing department budgets preferred
  
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and work efficiently in a highly pressured environment.
  
• Must have keen interpersonal and organizational skills and excellent judgment. At all times,
  
• Must exhibit a high degree of diplomacy, tact, and a strong sense of discretion.
  
• Excellent organizational skills as well as the ability to relate to all levels of personnel required.
  
• Must be able to react to time-sensitive matters as well as manage complex, longer-term initiatives
  
• Experience in both nonprofit/higher education and corporate contexts strongly preferred.
  

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$133,000.00 - $200,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.

Special Requirements

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits* Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
  
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn�s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
  
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
  
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you�re newly hired, you won�t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
  
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That�s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
  
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
  
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University�s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There�s always something going on at Penn, whether it�s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you�re right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
  
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
  
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
  
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
  
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.