What’s the Opportunity?

This is an exciting position bridging the interests and passions of generous philanthropists and critical community needs and opportunities—both during the donors lifetime as well as through their legacy. By building relationships and making strategic connections within and outside the Foundation, the Senior Advisor, Gift Planning is a trusted partner to Seattle Foundation philanthropists and a network of professional advisors. The Senior Advisor, Gift Planning must possess strong emotional intelligence alongside technical knowledge and project management skills. The Senior Advisor, Gift Planning is trusted to guide donors, their families, and their team of professional advisors as they prepare and/or execute estate plans.

Reporting to the Managing Director of Philanthropy Strategies this role is responsible for establishing new lifetime funds (i.e. donor advised funds), non-profit endowment funds, structured planned gifts, and documented bequests. The Senior Advisor, Gift Planning cultivates, solicits, and stewards non-fundholder donors to support Seattle Foundation’s initiatives and operations. As part of the Gift Planning group, they are one of the first people prospective donors will meet and professional advisors will call for guidance when making referrals. When the business needs and team structure warrant an Assistant and/or Associate in Gift Planning, the Senior Advisor is their people manager.

As a Senior Advisor, Gift Planning you will:

• Serve as a personal advisor to an assigned portfolio of:
  • Prospective donors of all fund types, providing the initial consultation to the prospective donors to meet their philanthropic needs and intentions, and cultivating until a decision is made.
  • Bequest donors (Changemakers Circle members), providing consistent service, stewardship and engagement opportunities until gift is realized.
  • Seattle Foundation’s Professional Advisor Council (PAC), serving as a lead in stewarding and managing regular meetings, engagement opportunities, and regular communications.
  • Non-fundholder donors to cultivate, solicit, and steward to support Seattle Foundation’s initiatives and operations.
• As a member of the Gift Planning Team, serve as one of the initial contacts to field inquiries related to new funds that come through the various channels (phone, email, web, etc).
• Serve as a lead in partnering with Marketing and Communications to develop and execute on mar/comm for the “Gift Planning” constituencies of Changemakers Circle members and professional advisors.
• Cultivate our network of Professional Advisors (i.e., estate planning attorneys, accountants, wealth management advisors, investment advisors, CPA’s and trust officers) to increase quantity and quality of referrals to secure outright and deferred gifts to the Foundation.
• Increase future the funds available for the Foundation's activities and discretionary Grantmaking through targeted solicitations for unrestricted estate gifts.
• Facilitate professional advisor educational workshops, such as Giving with Impact workshops, PACE Seminars, and “Lunch & Learn” presentations at professional advisor firms.
• Collaborate with the Foundation’s Management Team to develop new and improve existing products, services and strategies.
• Represent the Foundation in the community at speaking engagements, professional organizations, conferences, and other community events.
• Stay current in philanthropic trends and community issues, and be knowledgeable in the full spectrum of initiatives of the Foundation.

What Can You Expect?

A collegial work environment; a competitive salary and excellent benefits, including health insurances (medical, dental, vision and long-term disability); a generous retirement plan match; and vacation/sick leave.

What are the Physical Demands and Working Conditions?

The majority of the work is performed in a general office setting. The capability of working at a PC for extended periods. Team efforts with event support may require extended periods of physical activity involving standing, walking, and moderate lifting. Beginning in March of 2020, our staff is working from home and will continue to do so until it is safe to reopen our downtown Seattle headquarters.

The working conditions described above are representative of those for an employee to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions of the role.

As an equal opportunity employer, Seattle Foundation does not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, creed, gender, religion, marital status, veteran’ status, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation. We welcome all candidates from a wide range of backgrounds who have the skills and are passionate about our work.

What Are We Looking For?

Preference will be given to candidates with the knowledge and demonstrated experience in:

• Requires Bachelor’s degree
• 6-10 years of experience as a philanthropic advisor or gift planning advisor at SeaFdn or comparable community foundation or private philanthropy consulting work or advancement experience
• Strong understanding of Planned Giving vehicles and demonstrated experience soliciting and securing planned gifts and major gifts
• Proven experience in portfolio management including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Proven record of accomplishment of establishing new funds at a community foundation or comparable experience.
• Proven record in working with high net worth individuals and multi-generational families.
• Deep understanding of the nonprofit community in King County with ability to advise on a range of topics
• Strong understanding of planned giving vehicles and of investment practices/financial management of funds
• CAP certification preferred

We are also looking for:

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with a high-quality customer-service orientation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including confidence in public speaking.
• Strong organizational and project management skills including attention to detail.
• Ability to listen, assess, and identify appropriate resources and implement solutions. Active Listening training a plus.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team in a fast-paced, evolving work environment.
• A demonstrated ability to take initiative and proactively and continually looking for ways to improve.
• A demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and be composed under pressure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Relational Databases; Blackbaud’s Raiser's Edge a plus.