Director, Planned Giving

Why Join Our Team?

The USO provides a rewarding and fulfilling work environment with a global mission. Our team is exceptional, offering generous paid time off (including volunteer days and military leave), a remarkable 401k match, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for training and education reimbursement. Team members are passionate about putting the mission first, creating a workplace that is both impactful and enjoyable. The USO is a Certified Great Place to Work®, with recent survey results showing:

• 96% feel good about how we support the community
• 94% are proud to tell others they work at the USO
• 92% say their work has special meaning—it’s not “just a job”
• 91% felt welcomed from day one
• Over 88% agree all employees are treated fairly, regardless of race or gender

Responsibilities

• Refine, develop, and implement a comprehensive planned giving program for the USO. Provide strategic guidance, training, and materials to national and regional fundraising staff.
• Strategically manage a portfolio of approximately 50 planned giving prospects at all stages of the fundraising continuum—discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Leverage USO leadership engagement in key donor relationships.
• Serve as a strategic partner for Relationship Managers on individual donor relationships when planned giving vehicles are central to securing commitments, including joint donor visits and blended gift discussions.
• Manage the 1941 Legacy Society through stewardship of donors who have communicated their intent to leave the USO in their estate plans, including in-person or virtual visits, communications, stewardship reports, and event invitations.
• Oversee planned giving strategy, budget, and vendor selection for program communications to achieve short- and long-term fundraising goals. Coordinate planned giving marketing efforts, communication materials, and direct mail appeals in collaboration with Marketing & Communications, Legal, Operations, and Major Gift Teams.
• Use the donor management database to proactively manage planned giving prospects, donors, Legacy Society members, and open estates. Secure donor testimonials for use in direct mail, USO web pages, and other materials. Collaborate with Development Operations colleagues to confirm realized bequests.
• Oversee review and analysis of legal documentation to administer planned gift expectancies through wills, trusts, and other deferred giving instruments in which the USO is a named beneficiary. Generate and update reports and SOPs regarding USO Planned Giving and the Legacy Society. Work with attorneys and financial advisors as needed.
• Maintain a general understanding of current tax reform legislation and stay apprised of changes that could impact legacy donors. Attend webinars, programs, and conferences focused on gift planning.
• Oversee planned giving tasks performed by the Development Coordinator, including managing inquiries through the Planned Giving email inbox, periodic mailings to Legacy Society members, establishing database accounts, facilitating welcome packages for new members, and administering invoices and contracts for planned giving vendors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or related field. Master’s Degree preferred.
• 10+ years of work experience in a fundraising or development role, with 3+ years in a supervisory capacity.
• Relevant experience in a non-profit or global organization preferred.
• Experience in planned giving, major gift, and/or principal gift fundraising with demonstrated success in securing personal solicitations of $100,000 or more.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral communications, as well as knowledge of software programs including Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Willingness and ability to work non-standard hours (evenings, holidays, and weekends) as needed.
• Demonstrated ability to manage team members and reports for high performance. Ability to achieve desired results while working collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Ability to interact with USO Leadership, the general public, and military audiences at a variety of levels with integrity and professionalism.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment related to controversial and/or culturally sensitive subjects. Ability to handle confidential information with tact and poise.
• Working knowledge of basic business and accounting functions, project management, and budgeting.
• Demonstrated initiative and self-motivation, with the ability to adapt quickly to changing organizational needs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain proper credentials necessary to access USO Center locations and facilities, including security, credit, and/or background screening, SOFA status, and a valid driver’s license.
• Must be a strong advocate of the USO’s mission.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including volunteer days and military leave
• Remarkable 401k match
• Comprehensive benefits
• Opportunities for training and education reimbursement

Pay

The salary range for this position is $112,000–147,000. Compensation is determined based on geographic location, relevant experience, specialized skills, certifications, and overall alignment with the position requirements.

Schedule

This is an in-person position located in Arlington, VA.

Employee Testimonials

• “The organization truly cares about the people who work here.”
• “There is great consideration given to organizational core values, work-life balance, and the impact we can actually see.”
• “Everyone is friendly and easy to talk to. We collaborate well together and share ideas to create fun activities for our overall goal in the community.”
• “The mission alone provides a positive and meaningful purpose, where people should want to work and be a part of.”
• “The mission and opportunities to make a difference are amazing. The USO is one of the most forward-facing, frontline-serving nonprofits that I know of.”