Director of Development – Gift Planning

Rice University • Houston, TX

20h • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Executive Director of Gift Planning, the Director of Development – Gift Planning is responsible for securing planned gifts and/or blended gifts; i.e., a combination of annual, outright, revocable and irrevocable life income gifts. Primary responsibilities include the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of alumni, parents and friends, with particular attention to those capable of gifts of $100,000 or more. The Director of Development – Gift Planning values collaboration and partners in fundraising activities with a portfolio of school and regional major gift and annual gift officers. This person assists in providing technical expertise to development officers and university administrators. With oversight from the Executive Director of Gift Planning, the Director of Development – Gift Planning participates actively in the design and implementation of the gift planning marketing and communications. The Director of Development – Gift Planning mentors, coaches and participates in formal training of fellow development professionals and volunteers in blended and planned gift fundraising to further the fundraising and donor engagement goals of the organization.

The ideal candidate is either someone who has served in this capacity in a higher education or other non-profit organization or who has a legal background in estate and probate work and is interested in utilizing that knowledge to impact Rice University’s mission by securing philanthropic commitments via estates and other planned gifts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Three or more (3+) years of major gift fundraising experience with a minimum of three years of demonstrated success in closing complex and planned gifts.
• 3+ years of successful experience in the fields of professional financial planning, trust officer, or practicing law, focusing on estate and/or tax planning will also be considered.
• Strong knowledge of planned gift vehicles and gifts of complex assets
• Strong knowledge of charitable tax laws
• Working knowledge of estate and tax planning
• Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
• Advanced problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work well with quick deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
• Strong data analysis skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans, and handling issues when necessary
• Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned
• Strong client service orientation
• Ability to develop new and maintain existing relationships with probate attorneys, trustees and other professional advisors in the advancement of receiving charitable gifts that have been designated for Rice through decedents’ estate, retirement assets, life insurance, etc.
• Must possess (or have the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and maintain a valid Texas driver’s license with no more than three moving violations and/or at fault accidents within the past 36 months, and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years.

Nice To Haves

• Juris Doctor or Master’s Degree
• 6+ years of the experience specified above and prior work in this capacity in a higher education or other complex non-profit institution
• Ability to develop new and maintain existing relationships with probate attorneys, trustees and other professional advisors in the advancement of receiving charitable gifts that have been designated for Rice through decedents’ estate, retirement assets, life insurance, etc.
• Working knowledge of Blackbaud CRM or other advancement system
• Working knowledge of PG Calc or Crescendo Pro
• Working knowledge of document management software
• Experience in a PC/Windows environment using Microsoft Office tools
• Bar admission in a U.S. state; CFA, CFP, CTFA, CFRE, CAP or other advanced financial planning or fundraising certification

Responsibilities

• Manages a select portfolio of planned, blended and complex asset gift prospects through qualifying visits, cultivation of prospects, and prospect solicitations that align with the prospects’ passions and financial capacity, securing the commitment and stewarding current donors
• Assists in providing stewardship for endowed assets funded through estates or life income gifts
• Assists in developing gift planning marketing and communications
• Collaborates with other development officers regarding soliciting, securing, and documenting planned gifts
• Prepares sample illustrations for all potential gift vehicles and assets, including, but not limited to, life income gifts, gifts of real estate and other non-cash assets, lead trusts, bequest intentions through various vehicles, etc.
• Assists in providing stewardship for planned gift donors in conjunction with team activities around the Captain James A. Baker Society, the Rice University planned gift recognition society, Golden and Platinum Reunion prospects, etc.
• Performs all other duties as assigned

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level