Director of Development – Gift Planning

About the role

Rice University is seeking a Director of Development – Gift Planning to join the Office of Development. Reporting to the Executive Director of Gift Planning, this role is responsible for securing planned gifts and/or blended gifts from alumni, parents, and friends.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward high-value planned and blended gift prospects
• Develop and implement strategies for securing charitable gifts through estates and other planned giving methods
• Provide technical expertise to development officers and university administrators on planned gift vehicles and complex assets
• Participate in the design and implementation of gift planning marketing and communications
• Mentor and coach fellow development professionals and volunteers in planned gift fundraising
• Manage a portfolio of planned gift prospects through qualifying visits, cultivation, and solicitations
• Prepare sample illustrations for various planned gift vehicles and assets
• Assist in providing stewardship for endowed assets funded through estates or life income gifts
• Collaborate with other development officers on soliciting, securing, and documenting planned gifts
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Three or more (3+) years of major gift fundraising experience with a minimum of three years of demonstrated success in closing complex and planned gifts
• Three or more (3+) years of successful experience in the fields of professional financial planning, trust officer, or practicing law, focusing on estate and/or tax planning
• Local and national travel to visit with prospects and donors (up to 35% of the time)
• Occasional weekend and evening events

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor or Master’s Degree
• Six or more (6+) years of the experience specified above and prior work in this capacity in a higher education or other complex non-profit institution
• Working knowledge of Blackbaud CRM or other advancement system
• Working knowledge of PG Calc or Crescendo Pro
• Working knowledge of document management software
• Experience in a PC/Windows environment using Microsoft Office tools
• Bar admission in a U.S. state; CFA, CFP, CTFA, CFRE, CAP or other advanced financial planning or fundraising certification

Skills

• Strong knowledge of planned gift vehicles and gifts of complex assets
• Strong knowledge of charitable tax laws
• Working knowledge of estate and tax planning
• Advanced problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and verbal and written communication skills
• Advanced organizational and time management skills
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
• Strong data analysis skills
• Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans, and handling issues when necessary
• Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned
• Strong client service orientation
• Adept at developing new and maintaining existing relationships with probate attorneys, trustees and other professional advisors in the advancement of receiving charitable gifts that have been designated for Rice through decedents’ estate, retirement assets, life insurance, etc.