Director, Planned Giving

Essential Functions

• Identify, cultivate, educate, solicit, and steward prospects for planned, estate, and outright gifts in support of the university.
• Develop, manage, and expand his or her portfolio of qualified and active planned giving prospects as well as select major gift prospects.
• Develop formal proposals for prospective donors, including illustrations of planned gifts, and ensure that appropriate documentation for all planned gifts is developed and executed.
• In consultation with the Associate Vice President for Major and Planned Giving, establish annual dollar, visit, and solicitation goals for planned giving.
• Support and manage university’s planned giving vendor to produce, execute, and assess marketing initiatives to raise awareness of and interest in planned gifts, including informational and estate planning seminars, promotional pieces, targeted mailings and emails, and other initiatives.
• Maintain a high level of expertise regarding state and federal taxes, gift and estate giving methods and vehicles, and the legal aspects of planned giving.
• Work with the Prospect Research and Major Gifts teams to uncover new prospective donors and take an active role in educating them about planned giving opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with estate and financial planning professionals.
• Work with the Alumni Engagement and Donor Engagement teams to design and execute cultivation and stewardship activities and collateral events that support planned giving initiatives.
• Carefully coordinate certain aspects of NJIT’s planned giving website and other planned giving publications, including donor stories and vendor management.
• Develop an annual plan to steward identified planned giving donors.
• Guide and mentor Development & Alumni Relations staff members on best-practice activities, strategies, programs, and priorities related to planned giving.

Prerequisite Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree required; a law degree or other advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of 5 to 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the advancement field, preferably in a higher education setting, including a documented record of success in soliciting and closing major gifts and planned gifts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of constituent relations and fundraising for higher education, with special expertise in planned giving.
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive program for planned giving, establishing goals and objectives that translate into annual operating plans.
• Exceptional writing, speaking, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Working knowledge of charitable tax law, finance, and estate planning techniques.
• Familiarity with marketing vendors such as Pentera or PG Calc.
• Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to: establish and maintain good working relationships with colleagues; facilitate multiple projects, make decisions, and meet deadlines; manage and motivate volunteers effectively and efficiently; and identify problems and develop creative, timely, and efficient solutions.