Associate Vice President (AVP) for Strategic Partnerships

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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 Associate Vice President (AVP) for Strategic Partnerships Job Profile Title Director E, Development, Fundraising Job Description Summary Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President for Strategic Philanthropy and Partnerships, the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Strategic Partnerships provides leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the University Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) enterprise-wide strategic partnerships program. The AVP will lead the development and execution of strategies to build, manage, and scale high-value institutional relationships that generate transformational philanthropic investment, advance institutional priorities, and strengthen the University's position as a partner of choice for complex, cross-school initiatives. Working in a fast-paced and highly collaborative environment, the AVP will serve as a senior strategist and institutional ambassador, engaging C-suite executives, foundation leaders, and major philanthropists while aligning internal stakeholders across schools, centers, and central administration. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the AVP will participate in strategic planning processes, represent Strategic Philanthropy and Partnerships in Development and Alumni Relations (DAR)-wide initiatives, and contribute to advancing the University's most ambitious interdisciplinary priorities. Job Description Job Responsibilities Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for enterprise-level strategic partnerships aligned with University priorities. Identify, evaluate, and prioritize high-value partnership opportunities across philanthropic, corporate, and foundation sectors. In close partnership with DAR and School/Center colleagues, serve as an institutional liaison for top-tier strategic philanthropic partners, helping to ensure coordinated and high-level engagement. Engage and cultivate relationships with senior executives and high-capacity donors to advance strategic partnerships. At times, serve as the lead fundraiser to advance University-wide priorities. Lead the structuring, negotiation, and execution of complex, multi-year, cross-school philanthropic partnership agreements. Coordinate across Development and Alumni Relations, schools, centers, and University leadership to align priorities, governance, and execution of partnership opportunities. Translate complex, cross-disciplinary initiatives into cohesive and compelling philanthropic opportunities and proposals. Oversee the development of high-quality proposals, presentations, and briefing materials to support partnership cultivation and solicitation. Partner with academic and administrative leadership to advance institution-wide initiatives requiring cross-school collaboration and to support engagement and stewardship of key partners. Represent the University in high-level meetings, negotiations, and external engagements. Ensure strong infrastructure for partnership management, including prospect tracking, reporting, and performance metrics. Lead the planning and execution of cross-school convenings, events, and engagement opportunities that advance partnership goals. Establish performance metrics, revenue targets, and long-term growth strategies for the Strategic Partnerships program. Serve as an active participant and leader in planning and execution of DAR-wide initiatives and strategic priorities. Directly supervise a Director and a Coordinator and jointly supervise a Development Assistant. Maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive and privileged information and demonst

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