Pennsylvania State University
Director of Major Gifts, Smeal College of Business
🇺🇸 Hybrid - University Park, PA
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $77K - $115K
💻 Development & Advancement
🗓️ November 14th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Director of Major Gifts for the Smeal College of Business. The role involves identifying and cultivating prospective donors, articulating the university's goals through effective communications, planning and executing solicitation strategies, and traveling extensively to build lasting relationships to secure major gifts.
Highlights
- Lead fundraising efforts by engaging alumni and key constituencies to support the Smeal College of Business.
- Develop and implement solicitation strategies to meet aggressive fundraising goals.
- Create compelling communications and proposals to clearly articulate Penn State's mission and needs.
- Extensive travel throughout the region and nationally to cultivate donor relationships.
- Work closely with college leadership, central development offices, and the Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DDAR).
- Require a Bachelor's degree with at least 3 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
- Proven success in securing major gifts and meeting fundraising targets.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage high-net-worth and sophisticated audiences.
- Salary range: $76,700 to $115,100 with competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid time off, and a 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible family members.
- Requires valid driver’s license and ability to travel; background and motor vehicle record checks mandatory.
Director of Major Gifts, Smeal College of Business Full Description
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
- CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Penn State is currently seeking a top frontline fundraiser in the role of Director of Major Gifts to engage alumni and friends as partners in supporting The Smeal College of Business, a vibrant intellectual community offering highly ranked undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and executive education to more than 8,000 students from around the world. As a globally recognized business school, Smeal offers a world-class education that prepares students to become innovative leaders across all industries. Through our leading faculty and network of research centers and institutes, the college is a source of knowledge that influences the business practices of tomorrow. As a member of the Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DDAR), you can play an integral role in Penn State's future and contribute to one of the most successful fundraising and alumni relations operations in the country.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Development and Alumni Relations and working closely with the college's leadership, as well as other partners and central development offices, this Director of Major Gifts will:
- Identify and cultivate a prospect pool of graduates and other key constituencies;
- Articulate Penn State's needs, ambitions, and values through excellent informal and formal communications, including written proposals;
- Plan and execute solicitation strategies leading to major gifts;
- Travel extensively throughout the region and across the country to pursue these strategies and build enduring relationships, tracked to a fixed and appropriately aggressive set of fundraising metrics.
The successful candidate will also have:
- A track record of success in securing major gifts and meeting fundraising goals;
- Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills required to build relationships with sophisticated and high-net worth audiences;
- The ability to create and maintain an inclusive and respectful environment for all students and colleagues;
- A proven ability to self-motivate and work both independently and as part of a team;
- A passion for higher education and an understanding of complex institutions;
- A commitment to professional development, learning, and being mentored.
DDAR is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. Questions related to flexible work arrangements should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Bachelor's Degree3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
acceptedRequired Certifications:None
The Smeal College of Business
The Smeal College of Business is a top-ranked school that attracts leading minds and offers programs in various fields. Smeal's commitment to ethics and diversity is reflected in its national recognition. The college has become a destination for top educators and researchers, M.B.A. and Ph.D. candidates, and undergraduates in fields ranging from finance to supply chain management. The Smeal community's commitment to ethics, integrity, and sustainability has also made it a leader in higher education, and our programs have been recognized by Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Bloomberg Businessweek, among others, for their excellence and value. A full list of our current rankings and recent achievements is available at smeal.psu.edu/about-smeal/rankings.
Continuing private support will be essential as the Smeal College of Business pursues an even more ambitious vision for itself and its students: becoming one of the nation's top five public business schools, visit smeal.psu.edu.
Penn State's Division of Development and Alumni Relations
If you believe in the power of higher education—and philanthropy—to shape the public good, you'll excel right here in Penn State's Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DDAR). Our organization includes more than 500 professionals engaging a community of more than 700,000 alumni who believe in the power of giving back. Across our interdisciplinary teams of fundraisers, alumni relations professionals, communicators, event planners, financial experts, and more, there is a place for you to make a difference in the lives of students and faculty while taking your own career to new heights. Learn more about us at raise.psu.edu and explore the success of our most recent campaign at greaterpennstate.psu.edu.
Building a Career and a Life at Penn State
Across all campuses and an online World Campus, our 100,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it's the positive impact made on communities across the globe. Penn State consistently ranks among the top academic and research universities in the world: psu.edu/this-is-penn-state/facts-and-rankings
This position is based at the University Park campus, located in State College, Pennsylvania. State College is ranked among the lowest-stress and safest small cities in the country, with excellent public schools, beautiful parks and other natural assets, and a broad range of cultural and athletic events and venues: statecollegepa.us and statecollege.com
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.
Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $76,700.00 - $115,100.00.
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $76,700.00 - $115,100.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.
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