Senior Director of Estate and Gift Planning

About the role

The Senior Director of Philanthropy and Gift Planning at San Diego Humane Society plays a crucial role in securing significant funding through estate gifts and planned giving opportunities. This position focuses on developing and maintaining strong relationships with donors, ensuring the successful administration of their gifts, and promoting the organization's comprehensive fundraising campaign.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary point of contact for individuals interested in planned giving.
• Develop and implement prospect identification, engagement, and solicitation strategies for major gift donors/prospects.
• Maintain regular, effective contact with donors through various activities and communications.
• Oversee the collection, conservation, administration, and allocation of realized testamentary gifts.
• Work directly with executors, trustees, and other fiduciary/financial custodians to ensure the full value of estate gifts is received in a timely and efficient manner.
• Monitor administration of trusts and estates to protect San Diego Humane Society's interests.
• Track and monitor open estates and testamentary distributions, providing timely, accurate, and transparent information to colleagues, leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Lead multi-channel marketing of planned giving vehicles to donor database and community at-large.
• Maintain professional development, stay updated on planned giving trends, opportunities, and related legislation, and provide regular updates to colleagues.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with at least seven (7) years successful experience in frontline and/or planned giving fundraising, or as an estate planning attorney; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of planned giving vehicles, including charitable gift annuities, real estate, and other tangible properties, charitable remainder and lead trusts, testamentary trusts, bequests, life insurance policies, and retained life estates.
• Demonstrated success in implementing prospect strategies to secure both current and deferred gifts.
• Proficiency in planned giving software such as PG Calc or Crescendo is preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and approval by SDHS insurance carrier to drive a company or personal vehicle for work purposes.

Qualifications

• Significant, demonstrated knowledge of planned giving vehicles, including charitable gift annuities, real estate and other tangible properties, charitable remainder and lead trusts, testamentary trusts, bequests, life insurance policies, and retained life estates.
• Demonstrated success in implementing prospect strategies to secure both current and deferred gifts.
• Proven ability to work directly with individual donors to develop relationships on behalf of the institution and secure greater levels of generosity.
• Significant, demonstrated experience working directly with individual donors to develop relationships on behalf of the institution and secure greater levels of generosity.
• Includes considerable judgment in the preparation, management, and development of fundraising proposals.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of legal and financial regulations related to estate planning and gift giving.
• Experience with planned giving software.

Benefits

At San Diego Humane Society, you’ll enjoy competitive pay and paid time-off (including your Birthday Day Off!), a comprehensive benefits package, training and well-being programs, a 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% match after 1 year, free pet adoptions, pet vaccines and spay/neuter services, and much more!