Director of Planned Giving

Wichita State University Foundation•Wichita, KS

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement (WSUFAE) is looking for a part-time person to be our next Director of Planned Giving who will build meaningful, long-term relationships with donors and help them create lasting legacies for Wichita State University. This position plays a key role in advancing Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement’s philanthropic mission by managing a portfolio of prospective and current planned giving donors and leading the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and closure of planned gifts. The Director will work with donors to develop personalized gift strategies aligned with their philanthropic interests and financial and estate-planning goals, including bequests, charitable gift annuities, trusts, beneficiary designations, retirement assets, life insurance, real estate, and other complex gifts. The Director will also collaborate closely with major and principal gift officers, university leadership, professional advisors, legal counsel, and finance professionals to structure and secure meaningful philanthropic commitments. With a team of more than 50 dedicated individuals working to support fundraising and donor and alumni relationships, the WSUFAE is proud to champion the continued growth of Wichita State University. With nearly $400 million in managed assets and thousands of alumni spread around the world, it is an exciting time to be a part of advancing Shocker Nation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution required
Five or more years in direct gift solicitation experience in-person or over the phone, with experience in planned giving, development, estate planning, or non-profit development
Demonstrated success in securing planned gifts or other complex philanthropic commitments
Knowledge of charitable gift planning vehicles and tax-advantaged giving strategies
Willing to work evenings and weekends with occasional regional and national travel
Have and maintain valid driver’s license and insurance
Project professional image at all times
Commitment to the WSUFAE core values of Integrity, Service, Excellence and Collaboration
Willingness to travel locally and occasionally attend evening or weekend events
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment
Highly motivated and ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team
Maintain confidentiality of information, records, and materials

Nice To Haves

Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG), Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE), or similar professional credential
Experience working within higher education advancement
Familiarity with estate administration and charitable trust management
Experience using donor relationship management (CRM) systems

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of prospective and current planned giving donors
Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and close planned gifts, including but not limited to: Bequests, Charitable gift annuities, Charitable remainder trusts, Charitable lead trusts, Beneficiary designations, Gifts of retirement assets, Life insurance gifts, Gifts of real estate and other complex assets
Develop personalized gift proposals aligned with donors' philanthropic interests and financial objectives
Conduct personal visits, virtual meetings, and presentations with prospective donors and their advisors
Partner with major and principal gift officers to integrate planned giving strategies into principal and major gift solicitations
Coordinate all documentation and processing of planned gift agreements and expectancies
Maintain accurate planned giving records within the foundation's donor database
Collaborate with legal counsel, financial advisors, and the foundation's finance team regarding gift acceptance, documentation, and compliance
Monitor charitable gift annuities, trusts, and other deferred gift vehicles as appropriate
Ensure planned gifts comply with university and foundation gift acceptance policies
Assist in maintaining planned giving procedures and administrative best practices
Develop and implement stewardship plans for legacy donors and documented planned gift expectancies
Maintain regular communication with legacy donors
Coordinate donor recognition opportunities in collaboration with the donor experience team
Build long-term relationships that encourage additional gifts and deepen donor engagement
Ensure timely acknowledgment and recognition of planned gift commitments
Maintain computer and paper files as necessary
Manage an annual budget for fund-raising activities and professional development.
Perform any other duties as assigned.