JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Planned Giving, the Planned Giving Officer should be blessed with a character that is manifested through the desire to focus on people and their needs tied to the Mission of Liberty University. Such officer must truly love donors with a servant’s heart but also possess the boldness to secure deferred gifts through the estates of individuals they are in contact with. This entails being a good communicator who has the ability to talk to people of all ages, wealthy people and professionals alike. Considerable judgment and initiative are frequently exercised in interpreting a donor’s wishes and fulfilling the same in conjunction with the policies and procedures of the university.

Supervisory Relationship

Employee reports to the Director of the Planned Giving. They will occasionally work with other professional employees in order to carry out specific duties in the most efficient and effective manner. Generally he or she will work independently with oversight and frequent goal discussions and measurement with the Director of Planned Giving.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Identify and initiate contact with potential planned/deferred gift prospects.
2. Solicit gifts and negotiate deferred gift agreements with these potential donors.
3. Meet minimum annual revenue goals and strive toward revenue stretch-goals.
4. Conduct personal visitations to establish the one-on-one relationship with potential and established donors.
5. Maintain positive relationships with past, current, and future donors through social contacts and other stewardship activities.
6. Review documents for planned/deferred gift arrangements that have been professionally prepared for prospective donors by utilizing the benefits and options available through the use of computerized scenarios and other descriptive presentations.
7. Accentuate tax advantages within estate planning information to current and prospective donors in order to secure or promote planned/deferred gifts.
8. Assist in planning and coordinating campus visits for special donors and prospects and to acquaint alumni, friends, and professional groups with the needs and benefits of providing support.
9. Work, when appropriate, with volunteers and university development or alumni staff to orchestrate the cultivation and solicitation of donor prospects.
10. Maintain accurate and detailed records, contact reports and background data to facilitate periodic reports on activities and costs. This includes detailed pre-trip reports and post-trip reports that describe goals, individual prospects and their net-worth/business context, and next steps with individuals to increase engagement with the University.
11. Facilitates fundraising, gift processing, constituent tracking, relationship management, fund management and stewardship. Collaborates with team to ensure timely gift entry and processing and proactively captures biographical and data updates on benefactor and prospect records.
12. Supports the development of critical weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual advancement reports of fundraising results. Maintains thorough knowledge of KPI requirements.
13. Stay informed of current developments in the field of charitable gift planning by attending seminars and conferences, as well as keeping abreast of current tax laws as they pertain to charitable giving.
14. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree preferred
2. Three to five years successful experience in major or planned gift fundraising preferably in higher education, or comparable experience.
3. Ability to understand the needs and interests of leadership and planned gift donors in order to develop relationships between them and the university.
4. Interest in all aspects of education and a dedication to promoting the university’s fundraising priorities through developing excellent relationships with faculty, senior academic leaders, trustees, volunteers, and the advancement office team
5. Demonstrate leadership and the ability to successfully manage multi-functional or diverse areas.
6. Successful experience in making cold calls as well as developing cultivation and solicitation strategies.
7. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated record of completing assignments.
8. Must be willing to travel. Travel may be varied, however, the Planned Giving Office maintains a regional travel focus primarily.
9. Ability to collaboratively determine the best course of action and to drive to goals and measurable results.
10. Positive attitude with strong listening and communication skills to ensure positive and successful delivery of desired outcomes.

1. Individual must not be in default on any federal student or parent loan.

12. Ability to articulate and defend the unique Christian educational mission and vision of Liberty University and its subsidiaries to a wide variety of individuals and groups.
13. Individual must not be convicted of, or pled nolo contendere or guilty to, a crime involving the acquisition, use, or expenditure of federal, state, or local government funds, -or- be administratively or judicially determined to have committed fraud or any other material violation of law involving federal, state, or local government funds (CFR 668.14(b)(18)(i)).

Preferred Qualifications:

1. 5+ years of experience in a Development, Advancement, fund-raising or related philanthropic role
2. 5+ years of related experience in higher educational environment.
3. Excellent communication, strategic planning, and analytical skills.
4. Prefer extensive working knowledge of Blackbaud, software solutions for non-profits, CRM-Relationship management software, and Ellucian Banner.