Associate Director, Planned Giving

About the role

Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS) seeks an Associate Director, Planned Giving, who will have primary responsibility for managing a portfolio of current and prospective donors, focusing on cultivating, soliciting, and closing planned gifts.

Responsibilities

• Serve as JFS's primary Planned Giving expert, providing comprehensive training to colleagues, board members, and stakeholders on best practices, legal protocols, and solicitation strategies with particular emphasis on "blended asks" and optimal timing for introducing planned giving vehicles.
• Develop, lead, and manage JFS's comprehensive planned giving strategies incorporating bequests, charitable trusts, gift annuities, and emerging vehicles (including cryptocurrency and real estate gifts) to support the 2025-2028 Strategic Framework's goal of $8-10M annual fundraising.
• Personally manage a vetted portfolio of 1,000+ planned giving prospects and donors, systematically moving them through identification, cultivation, and solicitation phases.
• Close planned gifts including bequests, beneficiary designations, and charitable gift annuities to achieve annual and comprehensive campaign goals, measured against GAAP/non-GAAP revenue targets, donor meeting quotas, Legacy Society growth, and collaborative solicitation metrics.
• Partner with legal and financial advisors to structure complex planned gifts, overseeing implementation of updated gift acceptance policies and managing non-traditional assets through strategic partnerships.
• Deliver compelling presentations and personalized proposals that connect donor values and personal stories to JFS's 152-year mission and future impact.
• Collaborate with Marketing team to execute targeted planned giving campaigns, including quarterly Legacy Society newsletters, digital outreach, and the newly rebranded suite of print materials.
• Maintain meticulous donor interaction records and gift documentation with appropriate discretion, using data analysis to optimize pipeline management.
• Design and implement high-touch stewardship and recognition programs for Legacy Society members in partnership with the Director of Special Events, deepening donor connection to JFS's mission.
• Execute personalized stewardship plans for assigned portfolio while supporting broader JFS donor stewardship initiatives.
• Collaborate strategically with CAO and Director of Development to integrate planned giving into all fundraising efforts, ensuring legacy giving maintains visibility and urgency across departments.
• Serve as planned giving advisor to the Development team, building their capacity to identify opportunities and seamlessly incorporating planned giving strategies into donor conversations and proposals.

Requirements

• Preferred bachelor’s/master's degree in marketing, communications, business, related field, or equivalent work experience.
• This role requires a seasoned fundraising professional with a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in gift planning, major gifts, or related development work, and a proven track record of securing a wide range of planned gifts at various levels of complexity.
• Technologically adept with strong proficiency in Microsoft 365 and the ability and willingness to quickly learn new systems and technology, including CRM databases, like Raiser’s Edge, and project management software.
• In-depth knowledge of planned giving vehicles, estate planning, and related legal and tax implications.
• Demonstrated sophisticated understanding of how to integrate legacy giving into "blended gift" strategies to maximize donor impact and align with JFS's comprehensive fundraising approach.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills with proven ability to translate complex financial concepts into compelling, mission-driven donor conversations.
• Confidently addresses inquiries regarding bequests, beneficiary designations, and charitable gift annuities while connecting donor legacy goals to JFS's 153-year history of community impact.
• Excellent organization, analytical, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail. Proven ability to manage high-volume portfolio (1,000+ prospects) and multiple complex projects simultaneously while maintaining disciplined adherence to JFS's data-driven pipeline management and revenue goals.
• Mature judgment and highest degree of discretion when handling sensitive donor information, complex estate matters, and confidential family dynamics inherent in legacy giving conversations.
• Ability to represent JFS professionally at evening and weekend events as needed. Must be willing to travel throughout the Denver and Boulder community for donor meetings to foster deep, personal relationships essential to successful planned giving cultivation.
• Proactive team player ready to assume additional responsibilities as required to support overall success of the Advancement team and JFS's ambitious 2025-2028 strategic objectives.
• Valid driver's license, access to reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance required. Employees must maintain driving record meeting agency insurance requirements to facilitate travel to multiple sites and community locations as part of regular job duties (mileage reimbursement provided per agency policy).

Other

Employees must maintain driving record meeting agency insurance requirements to facilitate travel to multiple sites and community locations as part of regular job duties (mileage reimbursement provided per agency policy).

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Work Environment: In-Office Position (Hybrid Possible): Work is primarily performed in our office at 3201 South Tamarac Dr., Denver 80231. Position may be eligible for a hybrid schedule with a combination of remote and in-office work. Work hours are generally during regular business hours, with some evening or weekend work as required to meet program or client needs.

Essential physical requirements: Frequent sitting and typing. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and use standard office and mobile equipment. Physical effort/lifting: The employee may occasionally be required to lift up to 10 pounds.

Certification/Licensing: None.

COVID-19 Considerations: Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (proof required), subject to legally required exemptions.

JFS EEO Statement: JFS is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any term, condition, or privilege of employment. JFS does not discriminate against applicants or employees based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

Salary Description: $90,000. - $105,000. yearly