Associate Director of Planned Giving

Associate Director of Planned Giving

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The Associate Director of Planned Giving is a key fundraising professional responsible for managing a portfolio of prospective and existing donors of planned and deferred gifts requiring financial and estate planning expertise. Reporting to the Senior Director of Planned Giving, this role works to build and deepen long‑term relationships, guiding supporters and their advisors through the process of making significant legacy gifts to the university, including outright gifts, real estate, trusts and all forms of deferred giving (estate planning, bequests and other life income gifts).

The Associate Director serves as a subject matter expert on complex gift vehicles and collaborates closely with fundraising colleagues across campus to advance institutional priorities and secure support for strategic campaigns through strategic donor engagement.

• Identify and cultivate a portfolio of planned giving, major giving and blended gift prospects through regular and direct engagement
• Solicit and close a variety of planned gifts, including bequests, charitable trusts, charitable gift annuities and gifts of non‑cash assets (e.g., real estate, securities)
• Prepare customized proposals and supporting materials that align with donor interests and explain the financial implications of various gift plans
• Consult with donor’s advisors responsible for the completion of gift agreements. Inform the tax, legal and financial advisors of the university policies for planned gifts
• Assist prospective donors and their advisors in clarifying objectives and obtaining and recording pertinent information
• Build and maintain relationships with estate and financial planning professionals in the community to generate new leads and enhance the university’s network
• Conduct a high volume of meaningful donor visits and document all donor contacts and activities in the university’s CRM database to ensure a clear record of engagement
• Serve as a subject matter expert on planned giving vehicles. Provide technical advice and support to donors, their professional advisors (e.g., attorneys, accountants, financial planners, bank trust officers, chartered life underwriters) and development colleagues in designing and structuring deferred or planned gifts
• Work in close collaboration with college development directors to identify planned gift opportunities within their portfolios and execute joint cultivation and solicitation strategies
• Develop and deliver training sessions and educational materials for internal staff and volunteers to increase their knowledge of planned giving and to assist in identifying new prospects
• Lead the creation of marketing strategies and materials to raise awareness of planned giving opportunities at the university (e.g., educational seminars, Heritage Society newsletters and events, outreach campaigns)
• Work closely with various campus departments and University Advancement units to ensure seamless gift processing

• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner
• Demonstrated ability to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors and effectively move them through the development cycle leading to closing six and seven‑figure gifts
• Working knowledge and understanding of planned giving programs, including charitable remainder trusts and gift annuities as well as gift management and stewardship
• A demonstrated understanding of charitable gift and tax laws, as well as financial and estate planning techniques
• Knowledge of planned giving vehicles, techniques and estate planning concepts
• Working knowledge of tax law and IRS regulations
• Skillful in successfully managing multiple projects on tight deadlines and under pressure in a dynamic and open environment
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills for both internal and external collaboration
• An organized, detail‑oriented and professional approach, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
• Experience in CRM/donor…