Assistant Director of Gift Acceptance, Office of Gift Acceptance

Penn State University•University Park, IL

13d•$65,508 - $122,016•Hybrid

About The Position

Penn State is currently seeking an Assistant Director of Gift Acceptance to support the Office of Gift Acceptance. As a member of the Division of Development and Alumni Relations, this role plays an integral part in Penn State’s future and contributes to one of the most successful fundraising and alumni relations operations in the country. Reporting to the Director of Gift Acceptance and working closely with partners throughout the university, this Assistant Director will be responsible for drafting new and revised Guideline Agreements and Statements of Donor Intent, collaborating with staff across various units to document donor commitments, and ensuring compliance with University policies and legal requirements. The role also involves coordinating with various university offices, serving as a resource for gift documentation, and ensuring the appropriate documentation and recording of future pledges and planned gifts. Additionally, the Assistant Director will coordinate the execution of gift documentation, manage fund creation, develop and maintain procedures and training materials, and articulate Penn State’s needs through communication.

Requirements

Paralegal, Legal Assistant or similar with experience in drafting or reviewing gift documentation or legal contracts and agreements.
Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills.
The ability to create and maintain an inclusive and respectful environment for all students and colleagues.
Familiarity with planned gifts, life income gifts, and estate/trust administration.
Knowledge of federal and state charitable giving and estate laws.
The ability to communicate complex gift and financial details to a variety of audiences including internal and external constituents.
The capacity to meet tight deadlines and to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
A demonstrated ability to interact effectively and efficiently with donors, development officers, and members of the legal & advisory communities.
A proven ability to self-motivate and work both independently and as part of a team.
A commitment to professional development, learning, and being mentored.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary drafter of new and revised Guideline Agreements and Statements of Donor Intent, which establish the terms governing donor-restricted funds and document intentions for future gifts.
Collaborate with DDAR staff across all Units to obtain and evaluate information necessary to accurately document donor commitments, identify and resolve issues with proposed donor terms, and ensure compliance with University policies and applicable legal requirements.
Work closely with the Director of Gift Acceptance on complex or non-routine gift documentation, including matters involving donor intent, University policies, and applicable legal requirements.
Coordinate and communicate with the Office of Student Aid, Endowment Accounting, Donor Relations, and other University partners to ensure that documentation is complete and meets all applicable University requirements.
Serve as a resource to DDAR staff regarding gift documentation, donor restrictions, funding requirements, and the administration of donor-restricted funds.
Collaborate with the Gift Acceptance team to ensure the appropriate documentation and recording of future pledges and other planned gifts.
Coordinate the execution process of all final gift documentation to maintain accurate records and request fund creation of new endowments and non-endowed funds.
Develop and maintain procedures, templates, training materials, and other resources to promote consistency, accuracy, and efficiency in the preparation and administration of gift documentation.
Articulate Penn State’s needs, ambitions, and values through excellent informal and formal communications.