At Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), we Make it Real through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees work flexibility, a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.

The mission of VCU’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to maximize philanthropic support by engaging stakeholders with our institution working in partnership with all VCU schools, programs and campuses as one development and alumni relations community and implementing the best practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensive development program.

The Executive Director/Director of Planned Giving serves as a philanthropic advisor, subject matter expert, and strategic partner for fundraisers, donors, and other stakeholders in the areas of deferred and tax-advantaged giving. This is a unique opportunity for a strategic philanthropic advisor to join an expanding team and foster the growth of VCU’s philanthropic efforts. This position would support planned giving for the health sciences, including School of Medicine, VCU Health System, Massey Cancer Center, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Professions, School of Dentistry, and School of Nursing.

Incumbents hired as director will:

-Collaborate with the AVP of Planned Giving to develop fundraising goals and strategies to increase current, blended, and deferred gifts benefitting VCU.

-Serve as a subject matter expert for constituents, fundraisers, professional advisors, and colleagues on tax-advantaged and deferred ways of giving, including gifts through wills, living trusts, retirement plans, donor-advised funds, appreciated securities, real estate, life insurance, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, and other gift vehicles and assets.

-Remain current on developments in the estate and planned giving field and use industry data and current best practices to inform strategy for VCU.

-Track and report on the results of planned giving efforts.

-Provide strategic support to fundraisers and fundraising teams to develop and execute proposals that maximize the current and deferred giving potential of their donors and prospects.

-Manage a portfolio of donors and prospective donors and meet with them to secure current, blended, and deferred gifts for the benefit of VCU.

-Use software to prepare gift illustrations and proposals for planned gifts.

-Partner with gift and records management to ensure planned gifts are accurately recorded, credited, and designated.

-Help to identify opportunities to promote and increase planned giving through partnerships with inclusive engagement and reunion events.

-Collaborate with DAR colleagues and foundation partners to develop and support a thoughtful stewardship program for legacy society members.

-Partner with the AVP to develop and execute planned giving training programs and related materials for fundraisers and DAR colleagues.

-Provide support for a multi-faceted marketing and communications plan to increase current, deferred, and blended gifts for the benefit of VCU.

-Participate in and provide support for special projects, programs, and events related to planned giving.

Incumbents hired as executive director will:

Perform all director-level responsibilities and have primary responsibility for conceiving and executing the planned giving office’s annual plan in at least two of the following areas:

-Marketing and Communications

-Legacy Society Stewardship

-Training and Education

-Reunion and Affinity Group Fundraising

As a team member, you will:

-Maintain and encourage open and honest professional relationships within the team and throughout DAR and VCU.

-Establish, cultivate, and maintain effective working relationships with internal partners.

-Collaborate with peers and stakeholders to add to DAR’s collective innovative thinking.

-Align your values with DAR’s core purpose and values.

-Safeguard the confidentiality of constituent information and establish standards of ethics and confidentiality regarding the handling of donor and volunteer information and train colleagues to understand/implement these standards

Required qualifications/skills:

-Bachelor’s degree.

-Significant experience in a planned giving development position or familiarity with planned giving vehicles through work in a substantially related field, such as financial planning or estate planning.

-Personal initiative, curiosity, and ability to bring a creative and data-informed approach to all aspects of planned giving.

-Demonstrated experience communicating complex content to non-expert audiences.

-Ability to provide strategic guidance and support to non-direct reports on all aspects of planned giving, including fundraising, marketing, and gift recording.

-Demonstrated experience collaborating across teams in a matrixed organization.

-Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse professional environment or commitment to doing so.

-Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills; superior judgment, negotiating skills, and diplomacy.

-Excellent communication and presentation skills.

-Capable of managing multiple priorities while working strategically, collaboratively, and independently.

-Commitment to the mission and strategic goals of VCU.

Preferred hiring standards:

-JD, Certified Financial Planner, CPA, or advanced degree in business, finance, or related field.

-Experience in grateful patient fundraising.

-Experience in alumni fundraising.

-Experience developing and implementing planned giving training programs for fundraisers and essential partners.

-Experience developing and implementing planned giving marketing plans.

-Experience developing and implementing comprehensive stewardship plans for legacy society members.

Interested individuals should apply directly at https://vcu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/3/home/requisition/4289?c=vcu

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation or disability.