Associate Director of Gift Planning.

About the role

The CU System Office of Advancement provides excellent customer service, strategy, expertise, and efficiency to our partners on CU’s campuses and at the University of Colorado Foundation. We support CU’s fundraising and engagement goals through advancement operations that include constituent research and development, data management, business intelligence, technical architecture, annual giving, planned giving, gift administration, marketing and communications, IT, budget and finance, and more. We believe that a healthy office culture is foundational to our success. We create this by bringing together a diverse team of colleagues and infusing our core values—Work Together, Think Big, Be Good and Have Fun—into our work every day.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with CU System Advancement staff to develop a prospect pipeline; cultivate, solicit, negotiate, and close gifts, focusing on multi-faceted outright gifts; gifts of complex or unique assets; gifts-in-kind; revocable designations; and irrevocable gifts such as charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, retained life estates, or charitable lead trusts.
• Works within the CU Anschutz Advancement office to cultivate and advance gifts that benefit CU by providing technical gift planning expertise to colleagues and donors.
• Advises CU Anschutz development officers on prospect identification for planned gifts and development of solicitation strategies.
• Supports CU Anschutz development officers by adding value to the cultivation, proposal and solicitation phases of gift conversations, to include in-person and virtual meetings with donors as needed, and development of gift agreements.
• Remains current and shares up-to-date information with colleagues about planned giving strategies that can benefit both donors and the university, including assisting in conducting regular training and/or updates to Advancement staff on planned giving, tax laws, and other regulations pertaining to charitable giving.
• Contributes to University system, campus, and Gift Planning department goals by supporting the implementation of an annual gift planning workplan to achieve strategic goals and benchmarks for program growth.
• Contributes to system-level advancement of gift planning strategies to include creation of a strong future “pipeline”, development of staff trainings, stewardship of existing legacy society members, strengthening relationships with the advisor community, evaluation of counting standards, gift acceptance policies and procedures, and similar.
• Cultivates existing and new benefactor relationships (i.e.: through thank you calls, prospecting/cold calls, discovery visits, stewardship touches, etc.) with the intent of sustaining and increasing the relationship with benefactors and potential benefactors on behalf of and in support of the CU Anschutz Campus.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned such as database maintenance, gifts-in-kind support, and estate distribution efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or equivalent professional experience (professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis)
• Five (5) years’ experience securing major and/or planned gifts, fundraising, acting as a financial planner, or directly comparable work
• One (1) year of experience in a team lead or supervisory role, which may include assigning and reviewing the work of others, providing guidance to internal and external team members, and/or assisting management with performance reviews

Qualifications

• Post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education (e.g. Master of Business Administration, Juris Doctorate, Master of Arts, etc.)
• Seven (7) years’ experience securing major and/or planned gifts, fundraising, acting as a financial planner, or directly comparable work
• Two (2) years’ experience in a team lead or supervisory role, as indicated above
• Professional certification (e.g. Certified Financial Planner)
• Experience in a nonprofit, higher education, or healthcare environment
• Experience working within large, complex organizations

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the University of Colorado’s mission, demographics, faculty, current programs, departments, and culture
• Knowledge of gift planning principles, procedures, and best practices
• Donor-centric customer service skills, including the ability to actively listen, address customer needs, defuse tense situations, and maintain an open, flexible, and friendly demeanor
• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to facilitate interaction, communication, and teamwork between others
• Skilled in the use of computer equipment, software, and other relevant technology (including smart phones) including the Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and similar)
• Ability to persuasively engage donors and articulate how CU distinguishes itself from peer institutions
• Ability to make persuasive verbal and written cases for supporting key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of prospective donors to specific university needs
• Ability to deliver a high level of commitment to customer service
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ages
• Ability to navigate complex, multi-layered environments and organizations
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team setting
• Ability to develop strategies to achieve operating goals
• Ability to interact with high-level donors, maintain a high level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, staff, and others
• Ability to promote diversity and equity

Benefits

With our unparalleled range of benefits, including top-notch healthcare, comprehensive wellness programs, enriching professional development, and a dynamic work-life balance, we ensure your holistic growth and happiness. No-cost or low-cost medical & dental plan options, some inclusive of IVF assistance. Disability, Life, Vision Insurance options. Multiple retirement planning options including a mandatory 401(a) plan where CU contributes 10% of your gross pay, a 401k or 403b plan and a 457 deferred compensation plan. Pre-tax savings plans, such as Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts. Embrace a healthy work-life balance with ample sick and vacation leave, along with at least 12 paid holidays. This includes a dedicated week off for winter break. 6 weeks of parental leave to adjust to the joys of parenthood. A tuition benefit program for you and/or your dependents. Free RTD EcoPass and free onsite parking at our 1800 Grant Street Office. Many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage. For more information on benefits programs, please review our Comprehensive Benefits Guide. Access our Total Compensation Calculator to see what your total rewards could be at CU. (This position is a University Staff position)