Director of Development, Gift Planning

Stony Brook University • Stony Brook, NY

5d

About The Position

The Director of Development, Gift Planning plays a key frontline fundraising role in advancing Stony Brook University’s comprehensive Gift Planning program. Reporting to and partnering closely with the Executive Director of Gift Planning, this individual will contribute to a collaborative, campus-wide effort that expands philanthropic impact through thoughtful, asset-based giving strategies. The Director will manage a defined portfolio of major and planned giving prospects across East and West Campus. In partnership with development colleagues, the Director will help identify and qualify gift planning opportunities, and design strategies that align donors’ financial, legal, and philanthropic goals with the University’s highest priorities. This includes structuring and soliciting deferred, blended, and other complex gifts, and introducing donors to creative giving vehicles that may enhance their impact.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher).
• Four (4) years of full-time experience in fundraising, sales, events, or a related field.
• Experience working in higher education, a large non-profit, a complex healthcare system, or a similarly complex organization.
• Proven record of success in cultivating relationships and securing major support from individual donors, institutions, and/or clients through fundraising or sales.

Nice To Haves

• Additional years (5+) of full-time experience in fundraising, sales, events, or a related field.
• Proven record of success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing major level ($100,000+) gifts from individual donors.
• Experience working with planned giving vehicles such as bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, retirement assets, real estate, or other non-cash assets.
• Experience in legal, tax, financial, or marketing principles related to philanthropic planning.
• Fundraising campaign experience.
• Contact management software (CRM) experience.

Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects capable of major ($100,000+) and deferred or complex gifts. Achieve specific and measurable goals for meaningful contacts, portfolio management, proposals presented, and dollars raised.
• Serve as a strategic partner to campus-based development officers, collaborating on donor strategy, participating in joint visits, and integrating gift planning strategies into broader fundraising efforts.
• Collaborate with the Gift Planning team to support donor education and marketing initiatives, including targeted outreach, presentations, and stewardship communications designed to grow the long-term pipeline.
• Engage volunteers, faculty, and professional advisors, as appropriate, to assist in donor cultivation and solicitation.
• Attend relevant alumni, school, and university events to advance prospect or donor relationships.
• Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and departmental mission.

What This Job Offers

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