Claremont Graduate University is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Director of Philanthropy to manage all aspects of major and planned giving. The position combines the art and science of donor engagement—deep interpersonal and technical skills that combine to engage, inspire, and steward significant philanthropy.

The Director of Philanthropy will work closely with the University President, VP for Advancement, senior administration, and faculty to identify prospects and achieve results. This requires confidence and collegiality, as well as the expertise to formulate and implement gift planning strategies that might not be readily visible.

The Director will bring a depth of knowledge and best practices to the role, including expertise and knowledge of the full range of planned giving vehicles, up-to-date knowledge of current tax laws and proposed or pending legislation impacting individual philanthropy, and the use of marketing strategies to develop and continually add to a planned giving engagement pool, many of whom they will actively manage.

The Director will collaborate with a small high-performing team of fundraising, alumni engagement, marketing, and communications professionals who understand the significance of philanthropy to the long-term success of the university.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with the Vice President for Advancement and colleagues to plan and administer university-wide fundraising strategies.
• Provide strategic leadership in the planning and execution of tax-wise gifts, including outright gifts and real estate and all forms of deferred giving (estate planning, bequests, and life income gifts).
• Serve as the primary resource for education and advancement of gift planning options and instruments for donors; this includes working with donor advisors, accountants, lawyers, trust administrators, and other allied professionals.
• Initiate and strengthen donor relationships through consistent outreach.
• Manage and execute the strategy for a portfolio of donors and prospects, setting goals in partnership with the VP and President.
• Oversee all aspects of CGU’s legacy society—the Blaisdell Society—and ensure its effective stewardship and growth.

MARKETING

• Provide strategic oversight of a comprehensive planned giving operating and marketing plan in coordination with the overall goals of University Advancement.
• Collaborate with marketing colleagues to develop, implement, and manage results-driven marketing campaigns that inspire, engage, and educate donors about philanthropy. 
• Apply marketing concepts and techniques, including market research and segmentation for identifying donor prospects, as well as for campaigns and targeted outreach.

ADMINISTRATION 

• Ensure that recordkeeping requirements are met regarding documentation of planned gifts.
• Coordinate activities on various legal and financial issues with the Vice President for Advancement and the Chief Financial Officer.
• Participate on the Gift Acceptance Committee and provide leadership and best practices for gift acceptance policies and procedures. This includes facilitation and introduction of new gift opportunities.
• Cultivate relationships with attorneys, accountants, financial planners, bank trust officers, chartered life underwriters, and other professional advisors.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES: Qualified individuals must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the position or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written/verbal communications skills.
• A proven track record and significant experience in philanthropy, specifically in initiating, soliciting, stewarding and closing significant current-use and deferred gifts.
• Working knowledge of current federal (IRS) and state (CA) rules and regulations governing charitable estate planning.
• Understanding of and ability to apply marketing concepts and techniques, including market research and segmentation.
• Experience working on fundraising campaigns, including achieving financial goals that support capital and programmatic initiatives.
• Experience building and managing giving strategies, including setting financial goals.
• Sound management, leadership, and analytical skills.
• Proven self-starting and results-oriented creativity and commitment to working as part of a team enterprise.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:

EDUCATION:   A bachelor’s degree is required. Master’s is preferred.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum of 10 years’ experience working in higher education or a nonprofit environment in a major gift and planned giving capacity. Must have a proven track record and significant experience in fundraising, specifically in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, stewarding, and closing current use and deferred gifts. A Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG) or other training that provides the essential skills and knowledge to carry out the duties of the position.  Working knowledge of donor management systems. Proficiency or ability to learn and adapt to newly subscribed planned giving platforms.

About Claremont Graduate University

CGU is like no other graduate-level university in the nation. Founded in 1925, Claremont Graduate University is an independent institution devoted entirely to graduate study. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has classified CGU as Research University with High Research Activity. On our 19-acre, tree-lined campus in Claremont, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, our five academic schools award master's and doctoral degrees in 22 disciplines. Enrollment is limited and classes are small, so you receive the attention you need. As a member of The Claremont Colleges, a consortium of seven independent institutions, CGU is able to offer a greater breadth of faculty and campus resources than is typical of a university with 2,000 students. At CGU, students are encouraged to pursue personal academic interests and research agendas even when they transcend the boundaries between individual departments.

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