Associate Director, Planned Giving

Jewish Family Service of Colorado•Denver, CO

5h•$90,000 - $105,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS) seeks an Associate Director, Planned Giving, who will have primary responsibility for managing a portfolio of current and prospective donors, focusing on cultivating, soliciting, and closing planned gifts. This includes qualifying leads generated internally and externally, responding to inquiries with tailored estate-planning education, and preparing life-income gift proposals for donors and their advisors. The creation of this new role at JFS marks a significant milestone, reflecting our community's readiness for expanded investment and continued growth. This role works to build and deepen long-term relationships, guiding supporters and their advisors through the process of making significant legacy gifts to JFS, including outright gifts, real estate, trusts, and all forms of deferred giving (estate planning, bequests, and other life income gifts). The Associate Director, Planned Giving serves as a subject matter expert on complex gift vehicles and collaborates closely with fundraising colleagues to advance fundraising goals. This role requires virtual and in-person outreach to members of the JFS Legacy Society, as well as a robust prospect pool, to understand and deepen their commitment to the mission of JFS. The Associate Director, Planned Giving, will also share responsibility for collaborating with the entire Development and Marketing teams on additional development activities, including but not limited to identification of planned giving prospects, development and execution of donor strategies (including blended gift opportunities), fundraising events, special projects, and other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Preferred bachelor’s/master's degree in marketing, communications, business, related field, or equivalent work experience.
This role requires a seasoned fundraising professional with a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in gift planning, major gifts, or related development work, and a proven track record of securing a wide range of planned gifts at various levels of complexity.
Technologically adept with strong proficiency in Microsoft 365 and the ability and willingness to quickly learn new systems and technology, including CRM databases, like Raiser’s Edge, and project management software.
In-depth knowledge of planned giving vehicles, estate planning, and related legal and tax implications.
Must demonstrate sophisticated understanding of how to integrate legacy giving into "blended gift" strategies to maximize donor impact and align with JFS's comprehensive fundraising approach
Superior written and verbal communication skills with proven ability to translate complex financial concepts into compelling, mission-driven donor conversations.
Confidently addresses inquiries regarding bequests, beneficiary designations, and charitable gift annuities while connecting donor legacy goals to JFS's 153-year history of community impact
Excellent organization, analytical, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
Proven ability to manage high-volume portfolio (1,000+ prospects) and multiple complex projects simultaneously while maintaining disciplined adherence to JFS's data-driven pipeline management and revenue goals
Displays mature judgment and highest degree of discretion when handling sensitive donor information, complex estate matters, and confidential family dynamics inherent in legacy giving conversations
Ability to represent JFS professionally at evening and weekend events as needed.
Must be willing to travel throughout the Denver and Boulder community for donor meetings to foster deep, personal relationships essential to successful planned giving cultivation.
Proactive team player ready to assume additional responsibilities as required to support overall success of the Advancement team and JFS's ambitious 2025-2028 strategic objectives.
Valid driver's license, access to reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance required.
Employees must maintain driving record meeting agency insurance requirements to facilitate travel to multiple sites and community locations as part of regular job duties (mileage reimbursement provided per agency policy)
Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (proof required), subject to legally required exemptions.

Responsibilities

Serve as JFS's primary Planned Giving expert, providing comprehensive training to colleagues, board members, and stakeholders on best practices, legal protocols, and solicitation strategies with particular emphasis on "blended asks" and optimal timing for introducing planned giving vehicles.
Develop, lead, and manage JFS's comprehensive planned giving strategies incorporating bequests, charitable trusts, gift annuities, and emerging vehicles (including cryptocurrency and real estate gifts) to support the 2025-2028 Strategic Framework's goal of $8-10M annual fundraising.
Personally manage a vetted portfolio of 1,000+ planned giving prospects and donors, systematically moving them through identification, cultivation, and solicitation phases.
Close planned gifts including bequests, beneficiary designations, and charitable gift annuities to achieve annual and comprehensive campaign goals, measured against GAAP/non-GAAP revenue targets, donor meeting quotas, Legacy Society growth, and collaborative solicitation metrics.
Partner with legal and financial advisors to structure complex planned gifts, overseeing implementation of updated gift acceptance policies and managing non-traditional assets through strategic partnerships.
Deliver compelling presentations and personalized proposals that connect donor values and personal stories to JFS's 152-year mission and future impact
Collaborate with Marketing team to execute targeted planned giving campaigns, including quarterly Legacy Society newsletters, digital outreach, and the newly rebranded suite of print materials
Maintain meticulous donor interaction records and gift documentation with appropriate discretion, using data analysis to optimize pipeline management
Design and implement high-touch stewardship and recognition programs for Legacy Society members in partnership with the Director of Special Events, deepening donor connection to JFS's mission
Execute personalized stewardship plans for assigned portfolio while supporting broader JFS donor stewardship initiatives
Collaborate strategically with CAO and Director of Development to integrate planned giving into all fundraising efforts, ensuring legacy giving maintains visibility and urgency across departments
Serve as planned giving advisor to the Development team, building their capacity to identify opportunities and seamlessly incorporating planned giving strategies into donor conversations and proposals