Director-Gift Planning

Claremont, CA

Job Posting Title:

Job Description:

PRIMARY PURPOSE/GENERAL DESCRIPTION: 

The Director of Gift Planning is responsible for building a premier planned giving program by enlarging outreach and communication, and engaging the constituency on the power of gift planning.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

This information is intended to be a descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position.  The list of essential functions below does not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent in this position.  Perform other duties as assigned.

• Program Education: Direct a program that will educate donors, trustees, volunteers, and advancement colleagues about the benefits and advantages of planned giving.  Provide technical expertise to build and maximize planned giving opportunities within the Scripps College constituency. 

• Organize and implement financial planning and information seminars for alumnae events across the country and during reunion weekends.  In addition, provide educational gift planning programs to parents, volunteers, and trustees at regional chats, receptions, and on-campus events. 

• Program Marketing: Enhance, expand, and market a comprehensive gift-planning program geared towards securing leadership and planned gifts from alumnae, friends, faculty, parents/families trustees, and staff.  Implement a marketing and communications program plan that includes direct mail, print, and electronic media. 

• Gift Solicitation: Collaborate with College leadership, fundraisers, and volunteers to devise solicitation strategies to secure support from alumnae, parents, and friends.  Assist colleagues and donors in finalizing planned gifts. 

• Identify, cultivate, educate, and solicit major prospects for gift planning.  Collaborate with Development Officers and Engagement officers to develop solicitation strategies that involve planned giving. Partner with marketing and communications to market planned giving opportunities, e.g. by leveraging reunion year celebrations.  Provide trainings and orientations for use of planned giving vehicles and using planned giving to create blended gifts.   

• Prepare planned giving proposals for donors and their advisors.  Collaborate with donors’ financial and legal advisers as necessary to close planned gifts.    

• Giving Society Management: Enhance and expand membership in The Elm Tree Society, which consists of donors who have made a planned gift or pledge.  Develop annual cultivation and stewardship plans for the donors. 

• Industry Trends and Changes: Provide leadership to the College by staying current on gift planning trends, techniques, and opportunities, as well as information in the income tax, retirement, investment, and philanthropic fields. Provide technical training and assistance to development staff as necessary. Maintain current knowledge of tax law changes in order to maximize giving. 

• Planned Giving Portfolio Management: Manage a portfolio of 150-250 prospects.  Develop engagement, solicitation, and stewardship plans for all the prospects.   

• Responsible for a national portfolio and conducting 120 visits annually.

• Log important outreach and contact information using database to record contacts and log call report.

• Work closely with Development officers in soliciting planned gift and collaborating with ERIA team members to develop goals and objectives that will help realize the College’s overall fundraising goals.

• Active support for the College’s Principles of Community and Institutional Values in the performance of job duties.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

Individuals must possess knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collegially and effectively with diverse groups of constituents (campus leaders, alumnae, parents, students, colleagues, and volunteers). 

• Strong listening, writing and oral communication skills, critical thinking, and marketing skills are required. 

• Ability to communicate highly technical information in a user-friendly fashion to college constituents, particularly alumnae. 

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and to plan, execute, and market a sustained gift-planning program. 

• Demonstrated understanding and interest in women’s philanthropy and liberal arts education.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree required or any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Training in legal and/or financial planning or education is a plus.

Five or more years of successful fundraising experience in planned giving or major gifts, or the equivalent leadership fundraising experience is preferred.

Significant experience in an educational institution is strongly preferred. 

LICENSES / CERTIFICATES:

None.

OTHER:

HOURS & CLASSIFICATION AND STATUS:

This is a regular status, full-time, 12-month, benefits-eligible, exempt position.

The regular hours of this position are Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm.  Hours may vary due to the needs of the College or department.

Salary range: $130,000 to $140,000 annualized. The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Provide direct supervision to the Gift Planning Coordinator and a campaign temporary gift planning officer.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate. 

Physical and Mental Requirements

Ability to maintain good concentration level while dealing with interruptions; attention to details with emphasis on accuracy; capable of giving, receiving, and analyzing information, formulating work plans, and articulating goals and action plans. 

Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time.  Standing for extended periods of time. Reaching and extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.  Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than the whole hand(s), or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard.  Communication skills using the spoken word. Ability to see within normal parameters.  Ability to hear within normal parameters.  Ability to bend and stoop, for example, to file.  Ability to move about.  Ability to lift and carry short distances up to 20 lbs., for example to lift or move office supplies, files, books and packages.

At-Will Employment

Regular employment at the College is for no specified period of time; conditions and status of employment (hours, pay, title, duties, etc.) are subject to change at any time.  Scripps College is an At-Will employer.  Employees, and likewise the College, are free to end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without notice or cause, unless otherwise prohibited by law.