Manager of Planned Giving

Full Time

Florissant, MO, United States

FLSA: Exempt (not eligible for overtime in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations)

Reporting to: Executive Director of Campaigns and Vice President, Mission Advancement

About the Augustine Institute

The mission of the Augustine Institute is to help others understand, live and share their faith. We accomplish this through our graduate school, media production, and parish programs. We equip Catholics intellectually, spiritually, and pastorally to renew the Church and transform the world for Christ.

Position Summary

The organization’s Mission Advancement bridges the strategic goals of the Institute with the organization’s most generous and engaged donors and cultivates the engagement and support of the Augustine Institute’s key constituencies in order to secure the philanthropic resources required to fulfill organization’s spiritual and educational mission.

The Manager of Planned Giving will exercise a high degree of strategic thinking, creativity, and independence and will play a pivotal role in securing long-term philanthropic support for organization through bequests, trusts, and other planned giving vehicles. This position will be responsible for developing and managing a comprehensive planned giving program that aligns with the Augustine Institute’s fundraising goals, strategic priorities and Catholic theological mindset.

To this end, the Manager of Planned Giving will manage a portfolio of planned giving prospects and donors, cultivate relationships with alumni and friends of organization, and work collaboratively with financial advisors, attorneys, and estate planners to facilitate complex gift arrangements

In this role, you will work intimately with the Augustine Institute’s gift officers, in-house marketing and database team to create compelling, high-quality planned giving materials for ongoing support of the Institute.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement a strategic planned giving program focused on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, securing, and stewarding deferred and complex gifts.
• Manage a portfolio of planned giving prospects and donors, with the objective of increasing the number and value of planned gifts to organization.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the organization to integrate planned giving strategies into broader fundraising initiatives and campaigns.
• Develop and execute marketing and outreach efforts to promote planned giving opportunities, including print and digital communications, seminars, and donor events.
• Partner with the database and marketing departments to track and analyze planned giving metrics, ensuring data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with the donor relations and events personnel to create meaningful stewardship experiences for planned giving donors, including recognition societies and legacy events.
• Serve as a resource to donors and their advisors regarding gift planning options, tax implications, and organization’s policies and procedures.
• Represent organization at key events and conferences, cultivating relationships with external stakeholders and advancing the Augustine Institute’s reputation.
• Actively maintain a current body of knowledge about organization’s mission, programs, aspirations, needs, and priorities.
• Develop and maintain a robust planned giving web presence including posting and linking to appropriate planned giving case studies, planning tools, links and materials.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities, as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, with advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., CFP, CAP, JD) preferred.
• Minimum of five to seven years of progressive experience in planned giving, estate planning, or related fundraising roles, preferably in higher education or a nonprofit setting.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating and securing planned gifts.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to navigate complex financial and legal concepts.
• Experience working with outright gifts, deferred gift arrangements and experience with a wide variety of assets, i.e., real estate, securities, closely held stock, tangible personal property, etc. is preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with donors and advisors.
• Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to: establish and maintain good working relationships with colleagues; facilitate multiple projects, make decisions, and meet deadlines; manage and motivate volunteers effectively and efficiently; identify problems and develop creative, timely, and efficient solutions; adopt an entrepreneurial approach to developing and executing personal donor engagement strategies; and exercise a high level of discretion in dealing with confidential donor and prospect information.
• Working knowledge of charitable tax law, and familiarity with financial planning and estate planning, and experience with generating gift illustrations through Crescendo or PG Calc, preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills, as well as experience with Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge NXT, or similar customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
• Position involves travel as well as ability to work evenings and weekends.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional ability to write and speak in a compelling way about the New Evangelization.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Collaborative interpersonal skills and ability to work as a productive and effective team member.
• Deep commitment to the Augustine Institute’s mission and core values of innovation, collaboration, humility, and excellence.
• Ability to inspire and engender a passion for the Augustine Institute.
• Persistence, resilience, and grit, especially in a fast-paced environment of constant change.
• Experience and comfort with working towards stated metrics and goals.
• Optimistic and empowered attitude.
• Creative and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Solid and comprehensive knowledge of the Catholic faith and Catholic Church practices.
• Passion for fostering relationships that advance the Augustine Institute’s mission.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to perform typing and use of office equipment, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.