University of Pennsylvania · 1 day ago
Chief Advancement Officer, The Wharton School
Philadelphia, PA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$204K/yr - $525K/yr
10+ years expThe University of Pennsylvania is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) will shape the vision and direction of all Wharton fundraising and engagement programs, leading a team to cultivate high-level donors and operationalize new ideas.
Continuing EducationEdTechEducationSTEM EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Partner closely with a forward-thinking dean to develop and implement a school-wide strategic advancement plan that will reflect a long-term vision for growth and align with the Wharton School’s distinctive global brand
Build upon and further leverage Wharton’s deeply engaged and passionate 100,000+ alumni community comprised of some of the most influential and transformational philanthropists and thought leaders in the world
In partnership with the dean, continue to grow Wharton’s principal and transformational gift pipeline while simultaneously investing in the middle of the giving pyramid and best-in-class annual fund and alumni relations programs
Lead high-touch and highly curated member engagement across Wharton’s nine advisory boards, including its prominent board of advisors, and other high-level volunteers and next generation board prospects nationally and internationally. Establish effective volunteer leadership structures that position these ambassadors as key partners in Wharton philanthropy, engagement, and advocacy efforts
Educate, engage, and inspire key faculty and school leaders to engage with Wharton EA in mutually impactful ways while setting clear and transparent expectations that appropriately balance faculty and school-wide priorities while maintaining a donor-centric approach
Strengthen collaboration and cohesion internally among Wharton fundraising, engagement, and operational units; ensure that Wharton EA upholds university prospect management principles, and has a positive relationship with DAR and other schools and centers
Assess and further refine existing systems and structures, ensuring that Wharton’s EA enterprise aligns with modern best practices, using data analytics and metrics to support and drive philanthropy
Motivate and empower staff of all levels and roles, ensuring each member can professionally develop and achieve their goals and understands how their role fits into a greater cohesive vision
Ensure an optimal organizational design and staff structure of Wharton EA, particularly within the context of a possible future campaign
Effectively respond to the challenges of the current political climate across Wharton, Penn, and higher education at large – both in terms of its impact on Wharton EA staff, and on internal and external leaders’ engagement with Wharton and Wharton EA
Qualification
Required
Significant and impactful leadership experience in and knowledge of all major functions of development and alumni and constituent engagement are required, as well as substantive leadership experience in a complex, matrixed research university environment or the equivalent
Evidence of creative, strategic, transparent, collaborative, and empathetic leadership within a fast-paced, complex institutional environment
A record of achievement in building and retaining high-performing teams who are unified and mobilized around a clear strategic vision and organizational direction
A decisive and data-driven decision maker who gives clear direction, sets short-term and long-term goals, and leads teams to consistently deliver measurable results
Intellectually curious and mission driven with demonstrated gravitas and self-assuredness
A deep level of experience and confidence in working with highly influential and ultra-high-net-worth individuals
An expert communicator and negotiator who can establish credibility and trust with a multitude of internal and external constituencies, navigate competing priorities, and balance multiple perspectives in a highly complex environment
A successful track record in campaign planning and implementation, ideally at the $1 billion+ level
A deeply experienced principal and transformational gift fundraiser who can delegate and balance external presence with the need for operational leadership, culture building, and organizational development
Knowledge of and experience using data and data systems to drive strategy and improve performance; ability to shift priorities in response to results and trends; and high skill in the areas of planning, critical thinking, and analysis
Experience working with senior leaders in setting aspirational goals, building key projects to meet those goals, and developing philanthropic opportunities
Experience in leading change in complex organizations; experience leading through influence
Proven collaboration and partnership skills to accomplish shared goals involving colleagues and other senior leaders
Significant experience overseeing substantial budgets and operations and directing/managing multiple complex projects concurrently
A master of Science and Over 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required
A willingness to travel and to participate regularly in campus and community events, including weekend and evening engagements
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.
Company
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is an American private Ivy League Research University that excels in producing future leaders.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$81.46MKey Investors
National Science FoundationUS Department of EnergyParent Project Muscular Dystrophy
2024-08-28Grant
2023-06-26Grant· $18M
2022-09-15Grant· $55M
Leadership Team
Mark Dingfield
Executive Vice President
Angela Duckworth
Rosa Lee and Egbert Chang Professor
Recent News
The Philadelphia Inquirer
2026-01-22
2026-01-16
The Philadelphia Inquirer
2026-01-16
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