Reporting to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement, the Director of Gift Planning is responsible for planned giving solicitation as well as documentation and stewardship, and management of a portfolio of donors.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Coordinate the Office of Gift Planning efforts University-wide to support the University’s priorities, as well as the goals and objectives of the Development and Alumni Engagement Division.
- Negotiate and close a wide range of planned giving arrangements including charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, testamentary trusts, life insurance policies and retained life estates.
- Prepare, understand and effectively communicate technical financial proposals and illustrations using specialized planned giving software.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest legislative changes at the Federal and State levels as they relate to Gift Planning.
- Build a portfolio of fundraising prospects and strategically manage relationships through face-to-face visits to bring solicitations to closure.
- Collaborate with Major Gift officers when appropriate on planned gift proposals and with Donor Relations on stewardship.
- Work with major gifts prospects and donors to cultivate/solicit/steward their lifetime giving. These are often blended gifts – with a portion that includes an estate provision
- Communicate via visits, letters, email and telephone calls with donors or prospective donors.
- Establish, execute and manage strategic plans for soliciting and stewarding existing Stetson Society members.
- Create, implement and manage marketing initiatives aimed at increasing membership in the Stetson Society and the Planned Giving Inventory with outreach to alumni, friends and parents as well as outreach to professional advisers
- Work with the attorney, personal representative, or executor of estates to ensure that estate gifts are processed correctly
- Oversee the management of the administration of the University’s life income gifts program
- Manage the department’s operating budget
- Maintain and create reports including the Planned Giving Inventory (a report of current Stetson Society members and their future expected gifts), reports for Board of Trustees, monthly reports for the Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement and new reports as requested
- Oversee the maintenance and update of the Gift Planning section of Stetson's Web site
- Manage the Memorial Gifts program
- Coordinate gifts of real estate and other gifts-in-kind
- Performs other site and position specific functions as assigned
MINIMUM EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree; advanced degree preferred
Required Skills
- Strong presentation and analytical skills
- Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and the expression of these values in building community
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, and familiarity with Raisers Edge NXT or customer relationship management (CRM) systems and procedures a plus
- Positive, creative and energetic personality
- Ability to establish, cultivate and steward strong relationships with prospects and donors and align their passions with the mission, priorities and goals
- Innovative, self-motivated, able to manage multiple projects well, working both independently and as a team member
- Exceptional interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills with an attention to detail
- Commitment to representing the university with enthusiasm, warmth and professionalism
Required Experience
- Advanced degree preferred; bachelor's degree required
- Thorough working knowledge of charitable estate planning vehicles including charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, life estate reserve gifts, blended gifts and beneficiary designation vehicles (including life insurance policies, IRAs, investment accounts, etc.)
- Three to five years of experience of successfully building a portfolio of prospects, managing the relationships with these individuals, and bringing solicitations to closure
- Prior experience in a college or university setting preferred,with enthusiasm for fundraising in a university setting and the desire to work collegially within a goal-oriented fundraising organization
- Knowledge of fundraising principles, methods and standards
- Expertise in developing solicitation strategies
Salary Grade: 11