Associate Director, Gift Planning Administration

University of Denver•Denver, CO

22h•$75,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Denver (DU), a private university, is the oldest independent university in the Rocky Mountain region, with approximately 12,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. DU is classified as an R1: Doctoral University. At the University of Denver, we’re doing higher education our way: authentic to the Rocky Mountain Wests confident optimism and pragmatic independence. It sets us apart. We’re preparing young people to be the solutions in their own stories, empowering them to face uncertainty with confidence and uncommon sense. We’re fiercely ambitious and forward-thinking, surpassing all expectations to redefine success and how to achieve it. And we’re true to our mission as a top-tier private R-1 institution dedicated to making the world a better place – contributing to our communities and making positive change in the world. About DU Advancement The Denver Difference campaign is our most ambitious campaign yet. It marks a dramatic shift in conventional thinking about what the university experience can and should be. DU is setting the bar with our approach to higher education, developing and preparing students to be successful in life in every way. The University of Denver is building an advancement enterprise that mirrors the excellence and innovation of our great institution. Inclusive of alumni engagement, development, operations, and campaign leadership, DU Advancement is building and fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy in support of our bold vision. Position Summary The University of Denver is seeking a talented professional to join our development team as the Associate Director of Gift Planning Administration. This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic, growing and purposeful enterprise united around a compelling vision charted by Chancellor Jeremy Haefner and Senior Vice Chancellor of Advancement, Val Otten. The Associate Director reports directly to the Executive Director of Gift Planning. They must be an effective, professional, and diplomatic liaison to a variety of audiences including University leadership, legal professionals, development staff, donors, alumni, external vendors and other constituents. The Associate Director is responsible for managing the administration of all outstanding estate gifts to the University. This includes maintaining accurate recordkeeping of all documentation (digital and hard files) related to past, current and future estate gifts, as well as serving as the main point of contact for estate attorneys and personal representatives related to pending estates. They also oversee our gift planning marketing program, including implementing our annual marketing strategy, managing all incoming leads from our website and print marketing, and serving as the primary point of contact with our external marketing vendors. The Associate Director manages our life-income gift program, serving as liaison to our life-income vendor, processing new life-income gifts, and sending reports to our existing life-income gift donors. Finally, the Associate Director oversees stewardship of our Pioneer Legacy Society donors through various events and communications throughout the year, as well as manages a portfolio of donors in perpetual stewardship. This employee must be able to multi-task and prioritize many competing deadlines and timelines. Attention to detail and accuracy is essential to success in this position.

Requirements

Outstanding attention to detail and commitment to quality.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including verbal, written, and organizational skills.
An understanding and attitude of customer service; ability to be very flexible and adapt to change.
Must be able to manage time well, particularly while managing competing priorities.
Must be able to work independently and as a part of a group.
Willingness to take initiative, keep a positive attitude, and maintain a professional demeanor.
Adept at problem-solving, critical thinking, and using judgment in situations that require sensitivity and tact.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience (Veterans with equivalent combination of military certification/education and experience may substitute for the degree qualification).
5 years of professional administrative experience.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of fundraising and/or estate planning principals.
Experience working in a University, non-profit, legal or financial firm, or similar complex setting.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the activities of the Office of Gift Planning by maintaining bequest expectancy lists and donor files, scanning and digitizing closed estate files, facilitating new gift expectancy processes, coding/data entry, coordinating team meetings and events, monitoring periodic reports, and managing the offices general email and telephone inquiries.
Oversee the administration of both outright gifts and deferred gifts.
Manage and track external life insurance policies (including coordinating insurance policy premium letters and payments).
Partner with the Office of Donor Relations & Stewardship to coordinate stewardship activities for Pioneer Legacy Society donors.
Manage a portfolio of 75+ planned giving donors by maintaining contact and stewarding them in various ways throughout the year.
Manage approximately $10 million annually in estate administration, including preparing letters and other correspondence for sophisticated audiences; requesting information and following up as necessary; updating constituent database and internal tracking systems; and liaising with gift processing, the Controller’s Office, budget officers, and other colleagues, as necessary.
Serve as the point of contact for internal questions regarding open estates and planned gifts, keep fundraising directors informed of funding implications, steward donor families, and connect with faculty and staff to ensure estate income is distributed as directed by the donor for the best interest of the University.
Serve as a liaison to TIAA Kaspick, including providing donor information updates; coordinating the process to create new life income gifts; stewarding existing life-income donors; and assisting with the termination of life income gifts.
Serve as a liaison to Stelter, including overseeing gift planning marketing, providing content for our gift planning newsletters and e-newsletters, managing incoming marketing leads, and effectively managing production timelines.
Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all central and unit-based advancement functions and campus colleagues to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative marketing practices.
Model “One DU” leadership.