Position Summary

Reporting to the executive director of gift planning, the director of development – gift planning is responsible for securing planned gifts and/or blended gifts; i.e., a combination of annual, outright, revocable, and irrevocable life income gifts. Primary responsibilities include the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of alumni, parents, and friends, with particular attention to those capable of gifts of $100,000 or more.

The director of development – gift planning values collaboration and partners in fundraising activities with a portfolio of school and regional major gift and annual gift officers. This person assists in providing technical expertise to development officers and university administrators. With oversight from the executive director of gift planning, the director of development – gift planning participates actively in the design and implementation of the planned giving marketing plan. The director of development – gift planning mentors, coaches, and participates in formal training of fellow development professionals and volunteers in blended and planned gift fundraising to further the fundraising and donor engagement goals of the organization.

Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree

Substitution for Education Requirement
Experience may not be substituted for the education requirement.

Education Preferred: J.D. or Master’s degree.

Experience Required: 5 years

Type of Experience: – Planned gift and/or major gift fundraising experience, including at least two years of demonstrated success in closing planned gifts

• Successful experience in the practice of law working with clients in estate and/or tax planning or experience in financial planning will also be considered

Substitution for Experience Requirement
Education may not be substituted for the experience requirement.

Experience Preferred

Fundraising in higher education or other complex institutional background.

License/Certification Required

Must possess (or have the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and maintain a valid Texas driver’s license with no more than three moving violations and/or at fault accidents within the past 36 months, and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years.

License/Certification Preferred

• Bar admission in a U.S. state
• CFA, CFP, CTFA, CFRE, or other advanced fundraising certification

Skills Required

• Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage projects simultaneously
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
• Strong data analysis skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans and handling issues when necessary
• Strong client service orientation
• Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned
• Strong practical skills in gift and / or estate planning requirements and techniques; charitable giving tax law

Skills Preferred

• Familiarity with planned giving software such as PG-Calc
• Working knowledge of fundraising databases such as Blackbaud CRM

Essential Functions

• Manages a select portfolio of planned giving prospects through qualifying visits, cultivation of prospects, prospects solicitations that align with the prospects’ passions and financial capacity, securing the commitment and stewarding current donors
• Assists in providing stewardship for endowed assets funded through estates or life income gifts
• Assists in developing planned giving communications
• Collaborates with development officers regarding soliciting, securing, and documenting planned gifts
• Drafts articles on planned giving for external audiences
• Prepares life income gift illustrations, endowed fund agreements, and charitable gift annuity contracts
• Serves as contact for Executors and Personal Representatives with respect to realized estate gifts
• Performs all other duties as assigned