Gift Planning Officer

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.

Title Gift Planning Officer

Posting Number S01551JP

Department Gift Planning

Job Summary

The Gift Planning Officer will report to the Director of Gift Planning and work closely with the gift planning team on all aspects of the gift planning program. Responsibilities include: identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospective and existing donors, maximizing their annual, capital and planned gifts to the college; establishing long-term relationships with donors; marketing and communications; event and meeting planning; internal and external administrative duties; working in collaboration with other offices of development and relationship managers to meet Bowdoin’s fundraising objectives.

Essential Functions:

• Initiates and executes development strategies for alumni, parents, and friends to secure support through comprehensive gift plans including, but not limited to, gifts of: bequests and beneficiary designations; life-income vehicles; real estate; personal property; life insurance; closely held stock; gifts-in-kind; as well as outright gifts of cash and stock.
• As a frontline fundraiser, develops, solicits, and stewards a personal caseload of approximately 120 prospects, and establishes and maintains long-term donor relationships with the College. Frequent travel to engage prospective and current donors in their comprehensive support of the College through annual, capital, and planned gifts.
• Collaborates with the gift planning and communications teams in an annual strategic marketing and stewardship plan for the purposes of educating constituents about gift planning and growing membership in the Bowdoin Pines Society.
• Develops and maintains technical expertise and knowledge of complex planned gifts and applies this expertise with donors and their advisers.

The hiring range for this position is expected to be: $107,500 – 117,500 annually.

BENEFITS AND PERKS

• A variety of health insurance plans (Medical, Vision, Dental)
• Generous Retirement Plan – 401(a) and 403(b)
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per calendar year, 12 days of personal/sick time
• Paid Parental Leave (Available after one year of service)
• Household access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool

• Bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degree preferred
• Excellent writing and speaking skills
• Thorough understanding of philanthropy with a commitment to liberal arts colleges generally and to the mission and goals of Bowdoin specifically
• Keen interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills
• Demonstrated capacity to organize and manage multiple programs and projects simultaneously, working both independently and creatively in a collaborative, busy, team oriented environment
• Ability to set and accomplish goals within specified deadlines
• Demonstrated success in soliciting and closing gifts
• Familiarity with computer systems and software programs used in development and gift planning settings (i.e. Raiser’s Edge and PG Calc) and the willingness to use technology
• Aptitude for and ability to discuss complex gift planning concepts with constituents; capable of representing Bowdoin’s interests while interacting with alumni, parents, friends, staff of the College, College counsel, donors’ advisers and personal representatives
• Absolute confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion required

Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents

A minimum of 7 years of development/fundraising or related (e.g., financial planning, law) experience required; 7+ years experience specifically in gift planning preferred. Demonstrated successful track record working with leadership-level donors. A valid driver’s license and the ability to comply with the College’s Motor Vehicle Policy required. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this posting to be considered for hire.

Standard Work Days and Hours

This is a full-time salaried position requiring the time necessary to fulfill job expectations. Standard administrative hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Occasional weekend and evening work required. Department staff work a hybrid schedule, with 3 days in the office. Ability and willingness to travel 20-25% of the time. We regret that Bowdoin College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions. Employment at Bowdoin College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of applicable background checks including but not limited to: criminal records, educational verifications, driving records (when job-related), and/or credit history (when job related).

About Bowdoin

Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors. We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed. Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine. Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.

Employment Category

Employment Category Full Time Year Round

FTE

FTE 1.00

Benefits Eligible

Benefits Eligible Yes

Pay Type

Background Check Package Requirements Administrative Staff + MVR

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?

Yes

Is a pre-placement physical required for this position?

No

Posting Date

Posting Date 10/02/2026

Applications Accepted Until

Open Until Filled No

Type of Posting

Type of Posting Internal/External

Special Instructions to Applicants

If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.

Supplemental Questions

• * How did you hear about this position?
  • Indeed.com
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • Diverse Issues in Higher Ed
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  • Google Search
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • InsideHigherEd.com
  • LinkedIn
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  • MANP
  • Maine Job Link
  • LiveandWorkinMaine.com
  • Employee Referral
  • Bowdoin College Website
  • Radio Ad
  • TechMaine
  • NCAA
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  • Other
• If you answered Employee Referral or Other, please specify here:

  (Open Ended Question)