Director of Development, Planned Giving

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, the Director of Development, Planned Giving is responsible for retaining and expanding the University’s base of major gift donors and prospects; identifying prospective donors; cultivating relationships; soliciting and closing major gifts; and providing appropriate stewardship, all in collaboration with the leadership of University Relations and Development.

DUTIES:

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors.
• Solicit major gifts annually from all qualified prospects in this position’s portfolio, including gifts to the Annual Fund.
• Engage in 12-15 contacts monthly with major gift prospects/donors.
• Collaborate with AVP and VP to regularly add new prospects to this position’s portfolio.
• Monitor and ensure achievement of annual performance measure goals for contacts, solicitations, and closures.
• Manage and achieve annual fundraising goals for unrestricted funds, current restricted funds, endowment, and capital/plant assigned to the portfolio each year.
• Utilize a fundraising database and prospect tools. Maintain appropriate electronic documentation on a timely basis, including contact reports.
• Manage the Planned Giving department budget.
• Manage estate administration system, including bequests in probate, to produce correct, timely, and complete distributions to the University.
• Record timely reports, letters, proposals or gift agreements following a donor contact.
• Record and track all planned gifts on the University database.
• Ensure the development and execution of a comprehensive marketing and communications plan for the gift planning program to include e-newsletters, maintenance of the gift planning website, advertising in University publications, arranging and delivering educational seminars for a wide range of constituents of the University, and outreach to professional advisors.
• Manage the ongoing recognition and stewardship of major and planned giving donors, including the 1840 Society.
• Serve as staff liaison to professional planned giving, legal, and financial advisors.
• Maintain University gift acceptance policies.
• Provide gift vehicle technical advice in written and oral form directly to prospects, their legal and/or financial advisors, and members of the development office staff.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Participate in goal setting, proposal preparation, strategy development, and stewardship as required for donors in the portfolio.
• Effectively work with, communicate with, and collaborate with faculty, academic leaders, and other development staff to develop and secure campus-wide funding.
• Stay abreast of planned giving trends, opportunities, and related legislation, and provide regular updates to colleagues.
• Work with estate attorneys, executors, and internal departments to facilitate proper receipt and allocation of estate of deferred gifts.
• Assist as needed in drafting endowed fund and pledge agreements for testamentary gifts.
• Prepare planned gift illustrations for development colleagues to share with potential donors.
• Facilitate the issuance of charitable gift annuities.
• Establish goals, objectives, and strategies for the planned giving program with the executive management team. Participate in assessing progress toward goals and prepare progress reports for the associate vice president and vice president of university relations.
• Support and participate in University events.
• Coordinate Committee for Gift Acquisitions.
• Provide staff members with advice and counsel on matters related to planned gifts.
• Participate in regular development office and campaign staff meetings.
• Serve on University and ad hoc committees as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years of proven track record securing meaningful and major philanthropic gifts or equivalent experience.
• Strong leadership and time management skills with the ability to effectively and simultaneously manage many diverse relationships.
• The ability to control and move forward on several priorities simultaneously, without losing focus on the objectives of the University. This includes switching priorities as required, without losing momentum.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Strategic thinking coupled with a solid understanding of what constitutes well-written development documents.
• Ability to function as a catalyst, guide, and doer. This individual must engage current and prospective donors utilizing a collaborative and facilitative approach.
• Must possess a high level of professionalism, and the ability to perform under pressure.
• Integrity and the ability to build trust.
• Regular travel, both local and overnight, required.
• Resilience and a good sense of humor are essential.
• Ability to work with others as a member of a team.
• Ability to respect confidential information.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including a strong work ethic.
• Willingness to adhere to the University’s core values.
• Have knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of cultural differences and the diversity within the campus and community.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner with all internal and external University constituents.
• Understanding and commitment to a liberal arts education, including the ability to relate to a liberal arts faculty.
• Ability to attend work consistently and maintain a regular work schedule.

Preferred qualifications also desirable for performing the listed duties.

• Master’s Degree.
• Seven (7) years of proven track record securing meaningful and major philanthropic gifts or equivalent experience.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Starting annual salary: $85,000. The final offer for the successful candidate will be commensurate with experience and may exceed the starting annual salary.