Associate Director of Gift Planning
About the role
Work closely with alumni and friends of Duke University to explore creative and tax-efficient ways to support Duke while accomplishing their other financial and personal goals. Advise development officers within Duke Alumni Engagement & Development and in the university’s schools, units and programs on matters concerning deferred and complex gifts by prospects and donors. Collaborate with colleagues and volunteers on initiatives designed to promote gift planning. The Associate Director of Gift Planning will report to the Assistant Vice President of Gift Planning. As a strategic fundraising professional and gift planning expert, you'll work across Duke's schools, units, and programs to identify opportunities, develop innovative charitable solutions, and inspire philanthropic investment.
Responsibilities
Engagement with Duke Alumni/Parents/Friends
- Develop and maintain a portfolio of gift planning prospects and donors, serving as a philanthropic planning advisor to help them explore current and deferred gifts to benefit the university.
- Work with attorneys, accountants and financial advisors to help them assist their clients in considering complex charitable giving strategies.
- Draft and review related documents, illustrations, proposals, endowment agreements and other materials as needed by prospects, donors and their professional advisors with a focus on clarity and attention to detail.
Collaboration with Campus Partners
- Collaborate with colleagues including peers in Duke’s individual schools, colleges and programs (including a portfolio of assigned school and unit “internal clients”).
- Develop an understanding of their programs, funding priorities and the broad scope of their activities and provide excellent customer service.
- Pro-actively assist these colleagues in identifying gift planning prospects and promoting planned gift strategies.
- Provide development assistance including: gift planning expertise, endowment and gift agreement advice, and educational presentations for staff members, boards and prospects.
- Promote innovation in their approach to gift planning fundraising.
- Partner with annual fund colleagues on comprehensive reunion efforts.
Team Strategy and Projects
- Assist with planning and conducting stewardship events and producing gift planning publications.
- Help ensure compliance with applicable regulations and university policies.
- Serve as a team-oriented colleague to all other members of the Gift Planning Office, providing ideas and support and pro-actively seeking ways to accomplish the overall goals of the Office.
Qualifications
Education/Training
Work requires communications, analytical and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program. Preferred: JD, Certified Financial Planner, CPA, or advanced degree in business, finance, or related field.
Experience
Work requires seven years experience in the legal or accounting field, alumni affairs, public relations, fund raising, sales and promotions, marketing or related field in order to acquire skills necessary to develop and coordinate charitable gift plans to promote planned gifts to the University by alumni, faculty and friends. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.
Skills
- Ability to think strategically about identifying prospects, engaging donors, and collaborative partnerships with colleagues.
- Experience conducting high-quality donor visits to engage, solicit, and steward prospects, building long-term relationships.
- Strong customer service orientation, experience and follow through, for prospects, donors, and colleagues.
- Demonstrated ability to handle multiple fundraising activities simultaneously.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, particularly regarding complex topics.
- Strong public speaking skills; experience in delivering presentations to internal and external audiences.
- High level of creativity, initiative, and motivation.
- Excellent logical, negotiation, and analytical skills.
- Ability and willingness to travel.
This position requires travel locally, regionally and nationally, and participation in occasional evening and weekend activities.