Senior/Executive Director of Planned Giving, MCV Campus

VCU is a public research university unlike any other. We're dedicated to serving the needs of students and patients and our passionate community isn't afraid to tackle difficult challenges others can't or won't. We’re home to creativity, teaching, discovery and healing. Our location in the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia, means the nonstop energy of our city ignites our innovation and provides unlimited opportunities.

The mission of VCU’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to maximize philanthropic support by engaging stakeholders with our institution working in partnership with all VCU schools, programs and campuses as one development and alumni relations community and implementing the best practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensive development program.

Reporting to the assistant vice president of planned giving, the senior director/executive director of planned giving will serve as a philanthropic advisor, subject matter expert, and strategic partner for fundraisers, donors, and other stakeholders in the areas of deferred and tax-advantaged giving. This role supports planned giving for the health sciences, including School of Medicine, VCU Health System, Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Professions, School of Dentistry, and School of Nursing.

The Planned Giving team has the unique opportunity to make final determination of duties, working title and salary based on knowledge, skills and experience of the candidate pool. Candidates with varying levels of experience are encouraged to apply for consideration.

As the Senior Director of Planned Giving, you will:

• Collaborate with the AVP of Planned Giving to develop fundraising goals and strategies to increase current, blended, and deferred gifts benefiting VCU.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for constituents, fundraisers, professional advisors, and colleagues on tax-advantaged and deferred ways of giving, including gifts through wills, living trusts, retirement plans, donor-advised funds, appreciated securities, real estate, life insurance, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, and other gift vehicles, donor accounts and assets.
• Provide strategic support to fundraisers and fundraising teams to develop and execute proposals that maximize the current and deferred giving potential of their donors and prospects.
• Manage a portfolio of donors and prospective donors and meet with them to secure current, blended, and deferred gifts for the benefit of VCU.
• Track and report on the results of planned giving efforts.
• Use software to prepare gift illustrations and proposals for planned gifts.
• Partner with Philanthropic Services to ensure planned gifts are accurately recorded, credited, and designated.
• Help to identify opportunities to promote and increase planned giving through partnerships with the strategic engagement team and reunion events.
• Collaborate with DAR colleagues and foundation partners to support the stewardship program for legacy society members.
• Remain current on developments in the estate and planned giving field and use industry data and current best practices to inform strategy for VCU.
• Provide support for a multi-faceted marketing and communications plan to increase current, deferred, and blended gifts for the benefit of VCU.
• Participate in and provide support for special projects, programs, and events related to planned giving.

As the Executive Director of Planned Giving, you will also:

• Develop and execute a process to track and manage the office’s 2,000 highly rated planned giving prospects in collaboration with prospect development and unit based teams.
• Design and execute planned giving training workshops and related materials for fundraisers and DAR colleagues.

As a team member, you will:

• Demonstrate appreciation for the mission and aspirations of VCU;
• Display a strong commitment to organizational success and delivering on individual responsibilities as a university citizen;
• Demonstrate a commitment to the pursuit of excellence, high achievement and ongoing professional development by proactively seeking opportunities to develop new capabilities, skills, and knowledge;
• Establish, cultivate and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal partners;
• Demonstrate a commitment to the highest quality service to internal and external communities;
• Demonstrate an open-minded approach to understanding people from all backgrounds, identities, abilities, perspectives and experiences;
• Ensure work is completed accurately and within deadline. Set high standards, exhibit a positive attitude, maintain strict confidentiality, and show exemplary work ethic;
• Reflect DAR’s and VCU’s core purpose and values.