The Director of Gift Planning Fundraising manages a gift planning team that secures significant financial resources from individuals to support conservation goals around the world.  They will:

1. Hire, manage and establish fundraising goals for staff across the country numbering approximately 20, of whom 5 are direct reports. In directing the work of staff, promote a culture of high performance, integrity, and continuous improvement that values learning, collaboration, and a commitment to quality work.
2. Set and meet team fundraising objectives of $180 million to $220 million per year in deferred and complex gifts. Manage the team to increase pipeline for future growth, and ensure that targeted goals are met across the program. Propose and develop strategic priorities for the program, and lead the development of strategies, plans and tactics.
3. Provide ongoing gift planning guidance, counsel & resources to leadership and development professionals across the organization with an emphasis on increasing deferred gift and complex outright gifts. Engage leaders, volunteers, and colleagues in a manner that generates excitement, shared purpose, and meaningful action.
4. Ensure that processes, relationship management techniques, and data-informed decision-making guide the work of the gift planning fundraising team in donor pipeline development, according to industry best practices. Cultivate and solicit key organizational donors.
5. Serve as a member of the Gift Planning Management Team who contributes to a culture of learning and sharing, works collaboratively with development colleagues both within and outside the department to promote gift planning, helps others with their goals and engages in joint problem solving.

They are responsible for directing the Conservancy’s gift annuity, charitable remainder trust and complex gift fundraising programs and initiatives, including trade lands. The director creates and implements a strategic plan for gift planning support and staffing in major philanthropic markets, and in coaching major gift fundraising staff across the organization in deferred and non-cash asset fundraising.

The Director is a leader and manager adept at balancing internal management with external impact and visibility.  They lead strategic dialogues with senior-level stakeholders - including business unit leadership and volunteers, legal/financial advisors - probing to identify key issues and requirements, negotiating, and developing solutions, and synthesizing a plan of action tailored to audience. They are able to build and nurture effective and collaborative working relationships with leadership across the organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 9 years related experience, including 3 years working at a senior level.
• Management experience of senior gift planning fundraisers, and experience attracting, developing, and retaining diverse staff talent to build a workplace culture that is fair, inclusive, equitable and collaborative in nature.
• Track record of asking for, negotiating, and closing outright, blended, and planned gifts of $100,000 or more
• Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with major individual donors and volunteer leaders.
• Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Experience working in a large, complex, not-for-profit environment.
• Experience with current and evolving trends in gift planning.

Desired Qualifications (not required)

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Effectively communicate via presentations, conversations, and documents.
• Experience in managing a geographically dispersed team.
• Expert understanding of best practices in non-profit management.
• Knowledge of advanced gift planning concepts.