Assistant Development Officer Biomedical Research Development - University of Pennsylvania

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

Assistant Development Officer Biomedical Research Development





Job Profile Title

Assistant Development Officer A





Job Description Summary

Responsible for multi-faceted contributions to the biomedical research fundraising program, specifically for Basic Science Departments and basic and translational Centers and Institutes. Duties will include prospect identification, cultivation, stewardship, communications including the development of proposals and other written materials, donor relations, event and meeting organization and data management. Superior writing skills, project management experience, attention to detail, and excellent oral communication skills are essential. Ability to translate scientific language into language accessible to a non-scientific audience is especially valued.





Job Description


Specific Responsibilities:






Prospect Identification and Cultivation. Work collaboratively with biomedical research gift officers and the Alumni Development team to identify and cultivate new prospective donors.




Creating communications pieces for lay audiences. Prepare prospect proposals, targeted solicitation materials, including concise communication strategies for basic science faculty (“pitches”). “Tell the story” of great basic and translational research to philanthropic prospects and development colleagues by collaborating with faculty and converting specialized language into compelling proposals and web and video copy.




Volunteer Involvement. Work with faculty and development colleagues to help plan advisory board meetings, including providing assistance with the production of meeting materials, logistical arrangements, and meeting follow-up.




Prospect management. Work with the Leadership and Strategic Initiatives team to foster a robust prospect tracking process, ensuring thoughtful prospect management. Help to quantify and communicate to Basic Science Department Chairs and Center and Institute Directors using gifts tracking/reporting/moves management system.




Stewardship. Participate in stewardship activities, including written reports and meetings with researchers, to demonstrate the impact of giving to areas overseen by the Biomedical Research Development Team. Collaborate with Communications staff on reports to donors as appropriate.




Special Events. Work with faculty and development colleagues to plan and staff various meetings throughout the year, including lectures, symposia, virtual events, stewardship dinners, and other special events related to prospect/donor activity.




Performs other duties as assigned.








Qualifications:




Bachelor’s degree and 1-3 years of relevant experience in fast-paced office environment or equivalent combination of education and experience required, preferably in institutional development or a related field, with exposure to development communications, prospect management, annual giving, major gifts, volunteer engagement, and stewardship. Experience within a health care or research environment a plus.




Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to translate scientific language into language accessible to a non-scientific audience is especially valued.




Strong administrative and organizational skills and the ability to establish objectives and organize a successful approach to achieving program goals.




Superior attention to detail in an environment where accuracy and timely completion of tasks and adherence to deadlines is critical to maintaining faculty and donor satisfaction. Ability to appropriately handle complex and highly confidential materials.




Ability to work and manage time independently, but collaborate to achieve goals as part of a team, including with peers, all levels of managements, and constituents, from donors, volunteers and alumni to School of Medicine faculty, staff and administrators.




Fluent computer skills required. Proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, Word and virtual meeting platforms (Zoom, Teams, Bluejeans, etc.) necessary; experience with InDesign and Adobe Creative Suite plus.




Occasionally lifting 25 pounds or less.




Ability to travel both locally and nationally if needed, must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends.








Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

Development and Alumni Relations





Pay Range

$43,919.00 - $60,000.00 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, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.










Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.




Special Requirements Background check 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.




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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.