Job Summary

The job uses best practices and knowledge of the gift planning program across the University to secure planned gifts from alumni and friends. Develops gift-giving strategy and uses prospect management system for identification, cultivation, and solicitation of individuals for optimal gifts to the University. Has full authority of the gift planning office, staff, and associated programs. Interprets University goals and priorities, and accordingly advises donors and their advisors. Oversees gift stewardship in conjunction with University Financial Services to ensure smooth operation of gift stewardship.

The Associate Director, Gift Planning, will function as a frontline planned gift officer covering a regional territory in the United States. The Associate Director will be an integral member of the gift planning team as well as valued partner to other regional gift officers and unit gift officers from other units’ cross campus.

Responsibilities

• Secure planned gifts from University alumni and friends.

• Proactively seek and identify new planned giving prospects.

• Manage a portfolio of planned gift prospects with the goal of acquiring new planned gifts and obtaining additional commitments, planned and outright, from current planned gift donors.

• Commit to meeting contact, visit and solicitation goals to sustaining external focus and frontline fundraising activity.

• Travel to meet with potential donors.

• Plan and implement cultivation strategies and solicitations of deferred gifts.

• Qualify and cultivate prospects who respond to marketing materials or other portals through diligent and systematic follow up.

• Plan and implement strategies for increasing planned gift activity in assigned units across campus, including prospect pool or portfolio analysis, strategy sessions, training, planned gift reporting, goal-setting, and partnering directly with other gift officers on individual prospects.

• Contribute creative new ideas for raising awareness of gift planning opportunities and driving gift planning activity.

• Motivate individuals and groups, foster collaboration with colleagues, and engender loyal relationships with donors. Invest in the success of the team, the goals of Alumni Relations & Development and the best interests of the University.

• Produce high level and sophisticated communications (written and verbal), including planned gift illustrations, tax and financial calculations, and personalized consultations.

• Develop and maintain content expertise in gift planning vehicles, estate, and tax planning, investing, financial planning, philanthropic planning, and economic climate.

• Develop and maintain expertise on University initiatives, current events, and history.

• Seek opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.

• Works with high-level donors and with other University development staff members to secure planned gifts from alumni and friends of the University. Designs a marketing program and implements it through staff members. Maintains communication across the University.

• Uses a deep understanding in donor programs to identify planned giving prospects and plans strategies and the solicitations of planned and deferred gifts from individual donors. Secures planned gifts from University alumni and friends.

• Perform other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

• Advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum five years of professional work experience in institutional advancement, development, alumni relations, sales, financial planning, estate planning or similar field.

• Experience managing a portfolio of donors or clients.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Certifications or advanced degrees in financial planning, law, business, finance, or similar fields.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, including the University's donor relationship management system and the Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Competencies

• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.

• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.

• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.

• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, to speak, and to write effectively.

• Self-motivation and the ability to take initiative.

Working Conditions

• This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence.

• Standard office environment.

• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.

• Work evenings and weekends as needed.

• This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.