Director, Gift Planning & Estate Administration

ABOUT US

ABOUT US: Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We celebrated our 100-year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program.

Scripps Research encompasses two elite and highly innovative institutes, the Cali
-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and Scripps Research Translational Institute, which merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.

Director, Gift Planning & Estate Administration

The Director of Gift Planning and Estate Administration is a frontline fundraising position, reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of Principal & Major Gifts. This role is responsible for managing a portfolio of donors and prospects, with a specific focus on cultivating, soliciting, and securing planned gifts. The Director will engage with external prospects, guiding them through the process of making legacy commitments.

Additionally, the role includes overseeing the administration of estate gifts, honoring the donor's intentions while ensuring the timely and accurate receipt of bequests and other deferred gifts.

• Manage a portfolio of 100-125 prospects and donors to solicit and document bequests, charitable trusts, beneficiary designations, and other planned gifts.
• Develop and execute personalized cultivation strategies to deepen relationships with donors and secure legacy commitments.
• Collaborate with major/principal gifts officers to integrate planned giving into overall fundraising strategies.
• Partner with financial advisors, attorneys, and other professionals to identify new planned giving prospects and integrate gift planning into overall fundraising efforts.
• Conduct donor visits, attend events, and give presentations on estate planning and legacy giving.

• Oversee the administration of realized estate gifts, working closely with executors, attorneys, and financial institutions to ensure timely distributions.
• Review estate documents (wills, trusts, retirement accounts, insurance policies) to document intentions and confirm compliance with donor intent.
• Work with the Development Services team to ensure accurate documentation of gifts, effective tracking of commitments, and lifetime stewardship of Legacy Circle members.
• Details of established essential functions for this position will be addressed/discussed during the interview process.

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or CFRE/CPA/JD a plus.
• 5+ years of experience in planned giving, estate administration, or related fundraising.
• Strong knowledge of charitable gift planning vehicles (bequests, trusts, annuities, beneficiary designations, etc.).
• Exceptional ability to build relationships, negotiate complex gifts, and engage high-net-worth donors.
• Comfort discussing estate planning concepts and working with legal and financial professionals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience presenting to donors and prospects.
• Ability to travel as needed for donor meetings and events.
• While subject to change based on business needs, this is an on-campus position requiring a minimum of 4 days per week working onsite from our La Jolla campus, with flexibility to work 1 day per week remotely from home.

The expected hiring range for this position is $120,000 to $144,000/annually, commensurate…