Job description

The Wistar Institute is a world leader in early-stage discovery science in the areas of cancer, immunology, and infectious disease. Wistar is committed to accelerating research advances from bench to bedside through brilliant science and distinctive approaches to collaboration among scientific investigators and academic and industry partners. Wistar’s dynamic environment supports the advancement of discoveries that will change the future of human health.

The Wistar Institute is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). All candidates must share our commitment to DEI. The Wistar Institute is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their research, mentoring, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of our academic/research community.

The Wistar Institute has an opening for a new Director of Development to join its Development team. The Director of Development will serve as a major gift officer; primary prospect/donor pipeline developer; and director of Targeted Development Engagement Initiatives, including, but not limited to: planned giving, development constituent societies, and potential new Development committees.

This individual will be charged with planning, implementing and administering complex major gift solicitations in support of the Wistar mission and assisting in the creation of a sophisticated culture of major gift philanthropy.

Duties and responsibilities:
Major Gifts

As a major gift officer, the Director will be responsible for successfully managing a portfolio of qualified donors who are capable of making significant philanthropic contributions to the Wistar Institute. The Director will design, develop, and implement a major gift program with the Vice President of Development and the Development team. The Director will be responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors by establishing and developing meaningful relationships. The Director will also collaborate with other Development team members regarding strategy related to their prospects/donors.

Pipeline Development

The Director will have primary responsibility for the Development team in the area of prospect/donor pipeline development. This will include effectively evaluating Wistar’s existing donor universe for proper portfolio assignment for Wistar’s frontline fundraisers – and establishing a multi-faceted initiative to generate new prospect names and strategies. The Director will set an agenda for and facilitate a regular meeting involving all frontline fundraisers to evaluate the prospect and donor management process.

Targeted Development Engagement Initiatives

The Director will work closely with the Vice President of Development to evaluate current Wistar Development initiatives (ex. planned giving, development societies and committees, etc.) and be empowered to over time recommend and implement changes to existing programs and potentially also implement new programs, in conjunction with the Vice President of Development’s vision for the department.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Communications or business-related field, required. Minimum of seven to ten years of Development experience in science, healthcare, or related field required.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or other Qualifications: Excellent written and verbal skills, particularly in engaging writing and communication. Demonstrated experience in working with volunteers is essential. The ability to achieve in a fast-paced, demanding environment, where accuracy, attention to detail, and responsiveness to donors is paramount. An understanding or experience working with Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang, or similar donor database software required.

The Wistar Institute is located in the University City area of Philadelphia, in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania Campus. Wistar provides resources to its faculty and staff that enable them to conduct cutting edge collaborative research and provides for outstanding intellectual environments and state-of-the-art facilities.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits package.

For more information about The Wistar Institute visit our website at www.wistar.org.

• This position is eligible for a hybrid remote working arrangement as defined by Institute policy.

It is the policy of the Institute to provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, citizenship, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), pregnancy, caregiver status, domestic or sexual violence victim status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or on the basis of genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, with respect to all terms and conditions of employment.

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