Senior Director of Gift Planning

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Individual Giving & Special Campaigns, the Senior Director of Gift Planning provides leadership for creating and executing an integrated strategy for estate and gift planning programs to help advance the mission of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFU). Responsible for leading and managing both internal administrative and external donor-facing activities within the Institutional Advancement (IA) Division. This position also serves as a knowledgeable resource for other fundraising staff on gift planning and financial and legal strategies. The successful candidate will serve as a member of the IA team and play a critical role in RFU’s funding initiatives to address health equity, advance innovation in research and education, and guide philanthropic partnerships to support the aspirations of the university.

Our generous benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision plans; paid parental leave; short term and long-term disability plans; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; and a 403(b) retirement plan which includes a 8% employer contribution after 2 years of service. RFUMS is committed to employee wellbeing and work-life balance. Full-time staff are eligible for 3 weeks of vacation/ personal leave, 15 sick days, and 9 paid holidays, paid winter break, plus two floating holidays.

This position may be eligible for a flexible work arrangement after 90 days, which could include working from home 1 -2 days a week.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Strategize and direct the estate and gift planning activity for the Division of IA according to principles that are well-aligned with NCGP, AFP, CASE, and other applicable professional standards and best practices.
• Serve as a collaborative, forthright, and ethical member of the Division of Insitutional Advancement.
• Manage, cultivate, and solicit a portfolio of gift planning prospects/donors using face-to-face, virtual, and phone techniques across a national landscape.
• Lead and manage, through collaboration within the Division of IA, estate and gift planning strategies that are focused on driving consistent increases in fundraising revenues derived from gift planning. Cultivate, solicit, and secure 10 new estate commitments annually
• Create and implement annual business plans consisting of goals, objectives and strategies for estate and gift planning. Regularly assess and communicate progress toward achieving business plan goals and objectives.
• Serve as an active member of subcommittees within the Division of IA including areas focused upon: comprehensive campaigns; Leadership Councils/Advisory Boards; Reunion/Class Giving; Major Gift Fundraising and Impact Fund.
• Develop and manage new and sustainable campaigns to increase awareness of estate and gift planning and increase gift planning commitments to RFU
• Actively document and manage the estate and gift planning prospect pathway within the university’s database and maintain metrics.
• Working collaboratively with the IA Team toProvide strategy for the University’s process for drafting written gift agreements, letters of intent, and other legal instruments pertaining to donor gifts; includes significant interface with the University’s Office of General Counsel and Office of Finance.
• Provide strategy and leadership for receiving realized bequests and comparable gifts from trusts, estates, and retirement plans; includes significant interface with estate attorneys/executors and trust and fiduciary representatives.
• Provide strategy and leadership for monitoring and accepting realized beneficiary gifts from life insurance plans; includes significant interface with fiduciary and policy representatives.
• Provide strategy and leadership for receiving grants from Retirement Plans and Donor Advised Funds; includes significant interface with fiduciary and fund representatives.
• Serve as a gift planning subject matter expert to partner with IA Division fundraising officers in the cultivation and solicitation of gift planning prospects and donors.
• Develop and provide strategy and leadership in the reestablishment and sustaining of the Legacy Society estate plan donor recognition program.
• And RFU Marketing, provide strategy and leadership in executing a gift planning communication plan, including print newsletters, digital communication vehicles, and the RFU website and gift planning microsite, to increase lead generation from mass marketing of gift planning opportunities to donors and prospects.
• Conduct research concerning tax, legal, and financial implications of complex gift plans.
• Maintain current knowledge and professional education regarding gift planning and Advancement; includes actively participating in professional associations and continuing education activities.
• Cultivate active local, regional and national contacts within the
• Serve as an active member of the major gift team, cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts as required.
• Perform other assignments as required.

Conditions of Employment

Must achieve satisfactory results from a background check.

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required
• At least 5 years’ experience managing a gift planning program.
• Experience in higher education and a working familiarity with CASE or other professional development organizations.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Guided by the university’s mission, priorities, and vision for the future, ability to provide inspirational and effective stewardship and advancement services leadership through teamwork, collaboration, and dedication.
• Must possess outstanding negotiation and communication skills, credibility, and the ability to command respect and gain confidence across a variety of audiences.
• Show experience of operating at a senior level with multiple stakeholders, the ability to contribute at a senior level to the strategic management and advancement of gift planning activities, a desire to be actively engaged with donors and potential donors, and a passion for the aims and objectives of RFU.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to advancement and university business and prospect information.
• Must be able to articulate a clear vision to university and IA leadership and communicate complex information via both writing and presentations.
• Ability to work with stakeholders at all levels, including board members, executive leadership, deans, faculty, staff, alumni, students, and donors across generational groups.
• Must embrace a donor-centric, mission-driven engagement and philanthropic strategy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree in law, business, higher education, or health care.

Typical Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Selected candidate must have the mental and physical capabilities to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Work is of light physical demand in office settings (a hybrid of remote and in-person) with duties performed in stationary positions. Work requires occasional moving of boxes 25 pounds or less.
• Evenings, weekends, and travel are required.
• EOE, Including Disability / Vets