Director of Planned Giving

REPORTS TO: Director of Principal and Major Gifts

Salary Range: $163,000-173,000 . Compensation for this position is based on relevant education and experience and will be set within the listed salary range.

SCHEDULE: 40 hours per week. Moderate travel is required as well as occasional evening and weekend work. Schedule may vary according to Academy needs.

Pay Group

Type

Status

Fiscal Year Weeks

Class

Department

Location

Salaried

Regular

Full-Time

Full year (52 weeks)

ADM

Major Gifts

Hybrid

Position Purpose

The Director of Planned Giving leads the strategy, development, and execution of a comprehensive planned giving program that supports the long-term philanthropic priorities of Phillips Exeter Academy. This role focuses on securing legacy commitments through bequests, trusts, and other deferred gift vehicles, while building meaningful, lifelong relationships with alumni, donors, and friends of the institution. The Director is responsible for developing and managing the marketing, solicitation, and stewardship of deferred gifts.

In addition, the Director manages a portfolio of prospects and integrates planned giving strategies into broader fundraising efforts. The Director also serves as the campus expert on legacy giving vehicles, supporting frontline fundraisers, administrators, and volunteers in educating Exeter alumni, parents, and friends about planned gifts. The Director also supervises the Assistant Director of Planned Giving, providing leadership, direction, and support to advance program goals.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Academy’s planned giving program while actively managing a portfolio of 75-100 planned/major giving prospects.
• Develop and oversee a comprehensive program for the marketing, solicitation, and stewardship of deferred gifts, including charitable IRA rollover gifts and select gifts of real estate, tangible personal property,etc.
• Create and execute an annual marketing plan (digital and print) to promote Exeter’s legacy giving program and educate donors on the benefits of making planned gifts.
• Prepare customized planned giving proposals for prospective donors and provide donors with appropriate fund and gift administration information.
• Coordinate the work of planned giving volunteers.
• Maintain accurate bequest expectancy records.
• Serve as the campus expert on gift vehicles, e.g. Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) and Lead Trusts (CLTs), Charitable Gift Annuities (CGAs), etc.
• Partner with frontline fundraisers to integrate planned giving strategies into major gift solicitations.
• Coordinate planned giving training for frontline fundraisers and volunteers, both internally and externally.
• Travel to conduct individual and group visits to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward both outright and deferred gift prospects, independently and in collaboration with advancement colleagues.
• Maintain current knowledge of tax, legal, and estate planning considerations related to charitable giving, including participation in at least one professional development conference annually.
• Oversee coordination between the Planned Giving and Finance offices in support of the Academy’s annual audit.
• Work with the Finance office and Academy counsel to negotiate new charitable trusts and affect changes to existing charitable trusts and other planned gifts.
• Brief the Finance/Investment offices on all documents requiring officer signature for estate distributions, and other legal documents related to planned gifts.
• Maintain active communication and oversight of the Academy’s third-party planned giving vendors; including its planned gift administrator and planned gift marketing partner(s).
• Supervise and direct the Assistant Director of Planned Giving.
• Perform additional duties as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Respect for diversity of identities and experiences, an orientation toward equity and inclusion, and cultural competency in all aspects of Academy life.
• High degree of organizational skills with the ability to be flexible and multi-task with accuracy.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships with colleagues, students and alumni.
• Demonstrated success in all phases of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding planned gifts from individuals and a demonstrated ability to establish long-term relationships with donors and prospects.
• A strong sense of how to tactfully engage individuals, couples and families on topics of financial planning and legacy giving.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate with development officers, faculty, administrators and donors. Ability to present complex information in a clear and compelling manner in writing and in person. Ability to document meetings, write briefings, proposals and stewardship reports.
• Ability and willingness to travel. Demonstrated success in managing extensive travel arrangements, including ability to set itineraries, arrange meetings and travel logistics.
• Extensive knowledge of planned giving instruments.
• A strict adherence to confidential policies is required.
• Willingness and ability to learn additional applications as needed.

Direct/Indirect Reports

Assistant Director of Planned Giving

Position Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree required. JD, CFP, or advanced degree in a related field preferred. Experience in a related field of finance, estate planning and/or tax law is preferred.

Experience

• Demonstrated fundraising experience highly preferred, especially planned giving in a private secondary school, higher education, or a complex non-profit..
• Must have experience with computer programs including CRM systems (Colleague/Raiser’s Edge/Banner), MS Office, email and internet.
• Practical experience and knowledge of Planned Giving software (PGCalc, GiftWrap, Bequest Manager) is highly desired.
• Knowledge of planned giving instruments, estate planning, and tax law is essential.
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of interpersonal skills including persuasive and motivational ability, excellent written and oral communication skills, financial acumen, and an ability to explain complex financial concepts in simple, empathetic terms.

Additional Requirements

1. Successfully complete a criminal background check (reviewed every 5 years).
2. Clean Driving record (reviewed annually)

Equal Opportunity Employer


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