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Posted Job Title
Assistant Director, Engagement and Events
Job Profile Title
Associate Director B, Development, Events
Job Description Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director of Development (EDoD), the Assistant Director, Engagement and Events leads the Libraries' strategic event and engagement portfolio. This position develops, plans, and executes high-touch, mission-aligned engagement opportunities-including board meetings, regional cultivation events, on-campus programs, and development-adjacent initiatives-to strengthen donor and stakeholder relationships and advance Penn Libraries fundraising goals.
The Assistant Director serves as the primary project manager for the Libraries' donor-facing engagement calendar; coordinates across internal and external partners; and ensures events are executed with sophistication, consistency, and strategic alignment. The role also supports stewardship by planning campus visits and ensuring meaningful, personalized experiences.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
Manage Board Meeting Logistics
Plan, organize, and execute two annual on-campus Board of Advisors meetings.
Provide end-to-end logistical, technical, and catering support.
Build infrastructure enabling senior leadership and volunteers to participate meaningfully.
Ensure gatherings align with institutional priorities and development goals.
Plan and Execute Regional Engagement Events
Partner with the EDoD and Senior Major Gift Officers to plan cultivation events in New York and other major cities inhabited by Libraries donors.
Manage logistics including registration, venues, vendors, timelines, briefings, and follow-up.
Design experiences that advance donor cultivation pipelines.
Coordinate On-Campus Donor Programs
Collaborate with Penn Alumni Relations, the Kislak Center, and Libraries Development colleagues for Homecoming, Reunion Weekend, and similar programs.
Ensure events align with Penn Libraries' mission and donor engagement strategies.
Manage Development-Adjacent Initiatives
Support programs aligned with development goals but outside standard cultivation categories, like the Penn Libraries Book Prize in Sustainability and the Building Bridges Program.
Partner with internal stakeholders to enhance impact and visibility.
Support Campus Visits
Partner with gift officers to provide logistics for campus visits by board members, donors, prospects, and their families.
Prepare materials, coordinate schedules, and ensure follow-through after visits.
**Please provide a resume and cover letter in order to be considered for this role. Please upload all documents in the "Resume/CV" section of the application prior to submitting.**
Upenn · Van Pelt Library