the client is seeking a Director of Planned Giving to provide leadership for major and planned giving within its advancement efforts. In this role, the director will build relationships with donors, alumni, and families to secure meaningful outright and deferred gifts, supporting the organization’s continued philanthropic growth. This position will help enhance donor engagement through proactive identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, including face-to-face meetings with prospective supporters.
The director will assist in developing and executing a planned giving strategy focused on expanding a legacy society by encouraging alumni and friends to include the client in their estate plans. Key responsibilities include designing and executing planned giving approaches, managing a portfolio of approximately 70–75 prospects, and conducting at least 100 face-to-face meetings annually to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors on and off campus, with travel as needed. The director will also lead and expand the legacy giving society through ongoing stewardship and meaningful recognition, serve as a planned giving advisor to frontline fundraising teams, support communications and donor record accuracy, and help activate planned giving opportunities at signature university events.
Ideal candidates will have a bachelor’s degree and 5 to 7 years of planned giving experience, with higher education experience preferred. The role typically requires demonstrated success managing relationships with high-level prospects to secure major and planned gifts, strong communication and interpersonal skills, creative problem-solving, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Familiarity with current tax law and legislation affecting charitable giving is expected, along with experience using fundraising database programs, which may include experience with Raiser’s Edge. The director is expected to collaborate with campus leaders as appropriate and demonstrate a commitment to the client’s mission.