General Summary: The Director of Endowments and Gift Planning is responsible for planning and conducting a comprehensive endowment and gift planning program. Responsibilities include stewarding relationships with university constituents who remember SPU in their estate plans (Wellspring Society members), and those who establish endowments, ultimately leading to growing the bequest pipeline and endowment contributions. This position reports to the Vice President for University Advancement.

Job duties include:

• Models and promotes the mission and objectives of Seattle Pacific University, University Advancement and the Seattle Pacific Foundation.
• Is the institutional expert for estate planning and deferred gift planning, possessing an extensive and current knowledge of Federal and State laws governing various gift planning vehicles and asset types in addition to a complete understanding of institutional policy and processes for accepting and completing gift planning transactions.
• Manages a personal portfolio of prospects capable of making major current and planned gifts with an emphasis on irrevocable planned gifts, bequests and gifts to endowment.
• Responsible for the compliance with current laws and tax regulations of all gift planning documentation used by Seattle Pacific and the accurate completion of all documentation associated with all gift planning transactions established for the benefit of Seattle Pacific, whether generated by the Director or other department staff.
• Oversees the establishment of new endowments to insure compliance with University standards and procedures.
• Works closely with the major gift officers, Seattle Pacific Foundation staff and other University personnel to promote the acquisition of major current and deferred gifts, working independently while also working as a member of the overall University Advancement team.
• Serves on the University Advancement Leadership Team.
• Manages all bequest administration processes and communicates with personal representatives and estate counsel to secure estate gifts to the University.
• Designs a comprehensive strategic plan and marketing initiative to promote gifts to endowment and planned gifts. Includes management oversight of the gift planning web site, publication of Significance newsletter, all endowment and gift planning marketing efforts, printed resource materials, and endowment reports.
• Provides direct supervision to the Senior Gift Planning Officer.
• Assists Gift Planning and Foundation support staff in accomplishing the receipting of selected gifts and the sale of selected gifted assets. Assists other University Advancement and Seattle Pacific Foundation staff with the preparation of gift planning proposals and calculations using standard gift planning software. Creates proposals and prepares appropriate correspondence for constituents, and maintains constituent records relative to cultivation, solicitation and acceptance of gifts as well as for those in the gift planning pipeline.
• Provides training and assistance to major gift officers and other Advancement staff with regard to gift planning issues and donor proposals.
• Cultivates relationships with donors, educates and teaches about the benefits of planned gifts, and presents Estate and Gift Planning seminars.
• Spends 50% percent of time in direct field work.
• Attends Seattle Pacific University, University Advancement, and Seattle Pacific Foundation functions as appropriate to promote institutional gift planning and estate planning programs.
• Keeps in regular contact with Foundation staff and management.
• Responsible to conceive, direct, and assist with stewardship activities related to Wellspring Society members and Endowments and Gift Planning constituents, collaborating closely with the the Associate Vice President and staff members.
• Manages Endowment and Gift Planning budget to achieve departmental goals.
• Adopts a caring and ministerial attitude in cultivating prospects and in obtaining endowment and planned gifts.

• Bachelors degree in a related field or equivalent.
• Five years of progressively responsible related experience with evidence of professional gift planning competency.
• Demonstrated professional gift planning training (such as Crescendo's Charitable Gift Planning Professional certification program, the Sharpe Group's Comprehensive Planned Giving Seminar, or the Certified Specialist in Planned Giving program offered through the American Institute for Philanthropic Studies) or JD with estate planning specialization.
• Ability to work independently and to thrive in a self-directed environment. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and aptitude to work well with diverse constituencies, including professors, business professionals, and clients of all ages.
• Knowledgeable about business and current tax law dealing with Planned Gifts and current in education relative to this field.
• Includes as a minimum being proficient with charitable remainder unitrusts and annuity trusts, lead trusts, gift annuities, pooled income funds, wills and real estate.
• Must be able and willing to travel within United States.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, standard office equipment and software including experience with Client Relationship Management Data Base systems (example: Raiser's Edge/NXT). Proficient with Planned Gift Illustration Software (example: Crescendo Pro).
• A maturing and contagious Christian faith., knowledge of and the willingness to actively support the Christian mission of the University and accept the lifestyle standards of the Christian community.

Position will remain open until filled.

Salary: $110,000 - 118,000 DOE

This is a full time position with excellent benefits. SPU pays the employee premium for medical, dental, and vision insurance. SPU makes generous contributions to an employee HSA account and a 7% contribution to a retirement account, for eligible employees, with immediate vesting in the plan. Tuition discount program (50% - 90%) available for the employee and qualified immediate family members.