Director, Gift Planning

Position summary:     This position is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the Gift Planning team. The Director for Gift Planning reports to the Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development. The gift planning program is charged with the identification, qualification, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals making deferred, split-interest, or complex gifts to Northwestern University. The Director will set the goals for the programs in concert with other University development programs in the various schools and units and manage staff toward those goals. The Director will manage a select group of planned giving prospects and act as a general resource and advisor for all planned giving activities within the University. The Director oversees estate administration, the creation and establishment of endowed funds, trust administration and coordination among Gift Planning, our trust administrator, the Investment Office, the Office of General Counsel and the Accounting Services. 

 

·      In concert with the Associate Vice President and other development staff, develop overarching strategic objectives for the Gift Planning teams and oversee the implementation of “best practices” for the programs. 

 

·     Directly oversee staff of 6, setting individual goals, employing appropriate metrics, and developing and sustaining appropriate training.

 

·      Manage trust administration and optimize coordination between the external trust administrator and Northwestern. Supervise the Associate Director and Program Assistant to ensure that they gather internally and disseminate externally key information on Northwestern’s life income plans, including fund performance, tax reporting, portfolio composition, and investment objectives. 

 

·      Oversee the production of all gift documentation for all planned and complex gifts and all sample language for testamentary gifts, using templates and guidance provided by the Office of General Counsel.

 

·      In coordination with the Learning and Development staff, develop and conduct continuing education seminars for development staff on planned giving tools and other deferred giving techniques.

 

·      Assist key development teams in developing strategies for planned giving prospects. Assist all development officers and other University officers in the processing of various complex gifts such as those involving real estate, trusts, or closely-held securities. 

 

·      Personally maintain and staff a portfolio of key planned giving prospects, maintaining appropriate contact among prospects, university leaders, and volunteers. Responsible for a small portfolio of 20-30 planned giving prospects with occasional travel.

 

·      Provide leadership in developing partnerships among development colleagues at the University with specific emphasis on the professional schools, undergraduate schools, unit development officers, the Director for Major Gifts, the Director of Principal Gifts.

 

·      Initiate reports, conduct studies, and perform other tasks related to development at the direction of the Associate Vice President.

 

·      Initiate and manage marketing of planned gifts. This includes but is not limited to working collaboratively with the Marketing and Communications team on newsletters, ads, and the web site. 

 

·      Maintain best-practice expertise in field of gift planning with a special emphasis on acquiring and staying current with technical expertise in the tax and legal aspects of charitable giving; apply this expertise clearly and effectively in discussing with prospective donors (and their counsel) the ways in which gifts of all types can be made to Northwestern with maximum benefits to both the donor and the University. 

·      Baccalaureate degree or the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience; law degree desirable.

 

·        Seven to ten years of progressively responsible development experience in planned giving, preferably in an academic fundraising setting with a comprehensive development program. 

 

·      Highest level of technical expertise in planned giving and the tax and financial aspects of charitable giving. Experience with preparation of proposals and illustrations for charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, and other planned gifts. Highest level of skill in drafting gift documents.

 

·      Demonstrated leadership ability to develop strategic plans, implement programs, organize, initiate, and motivate.

 

·      Experience in law, financial services, trust or investments, or educational administration desirable.

 

·      Strong management skills and proven ability to lead a team of individuals towards a common goal.

 

·      Sound organizational ability, a high degree of energy, creativity and initiative; the ability to project the unique aims and values of Northwestern to its donors and alumni.

 

·      Proven success in gift closure at the six-and seven-figure level.

 

·      Excellent communications skills, coupled with strong writing and presentation skills, as well as the ability to present before a group.

 

·      Excellent analytical skills with the capacity to apply knowledge in new ways to unique situations.

 

·      Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment.

 

·      Discretion and an ability to interact with high-level donors.

 

·      Comfort with personal computers and software programs.

 

·      Commitment to the highest ethical standards.

 

·      Familiarity with the special needs of the elderly and the sensitivity needed to meet those needs.