Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Principal Gifts

The Principal Gift Officer leads the development and execution of fundraising strategy for university-wide strategic initiatives and interdisciplinary priorities identified in the campaign and strategic plans. This position forges collaborations that integrate executive and research leadership, strategic committees, development colleagues, and fundraising volunteers to advance case development and prospect strategy.

• Collaborate with academic and research leadership, identify focal initiatives for philanthropy and build/articulate the case for support
• Develop and execute short- and long-range strategies to identify, cultivate, and solicit assigned prospects
• Work closely with Office of University Development colleagues to coordinate strategic development and fundraising activities
• Convene discussions among academic leadership about the cross-unit collaborations essential to achieving the focus campaign priorities
• Work with analytics teams to identify current and prospective donors who may have an interest in the campaign’s imperatives and themes
• Collaborate with communication departments on the development of materials and proposals used to promote, advance, and articulate campaign goals and elevate the visibility of strategic initiatives
• Examine systemic and metric changes that incentivize academic leaders and fundraising colleagues to share in advancing philanthropic support for strategic initiatives
• Adapt DDAR procedures and systems to support donor-centered interdisciplinary fundraising activity and success
• Monitor high-level donor cultivation and solicitation activity to ensure closure of major gifts in these areas
• Operate as the lead fundraising liaison for identified strategic initiatives between DDAR and academic leadership
• Maximize philanthropic outcomes and increase transformational gifts

Level:

– Senior Supervisor

Base Description:

– Supervises direct reports, but primarily completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. May demonstrate subject matter expertise. Demonstrates intermediate to advanced planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Demonstrates the ability to coach assigned employees. Assigns and reviews completed work to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards. Trains, coaches, mentors, and motivates staff. Anticipates potential problems, issues, and opportunities; researches and recommends solutions within defined policies. May develop creative recommendations for solving problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Typically oversees at least 2 full–time direct reports or equivalent team of part–time and/or student workers (for Professional track, performs work at the Senior Professional level or higher)

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)
– May assist in planning and forecasting budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies general precedents and practices and specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– Organizes work of direct reports and sets team priorities
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Collaborates closely with team members; may interact with other staff outside of area
– Utilizes a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 15
• Minimum – $109,300.00
• MidPoint – $136,600.00
• Maximum – $164,000.00