Executive Director of Gift Planning

Temple University • Philadelphia, PA

11d • $110,000 - $140,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Temple University Institutional Advancement believes philanthropy is a powerful force for expanding opportunity, advancing discovery, and transforming lives. They are committed to fostering a workplace that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, recognizing that a broad range of perspectives strengthens their ability to engage alumni, donors, and community partners in meaningful ways. As Temple embarks on a historic $1.5 billion comprehensive campaign in support of the university's Forward with Purpose strategic plan, they seek talented professionals who are passionate about higher education, relationship-building, and advancing a culture of philanthropy. They welcome candidates who will contribute to an inclusive, collaborative, and mission-driven environment where all employees are empowered to thrive and make a lasting impact on the future of Temple University.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Principal Gifts & Strategy (AVP), the Executive Director of Gift Planning serves as a senior subject matter expert on the use of complex assets and deferred giving vehicles to achieve philanthropic goals. The Executive Director shall serve both donors and fundraising colleagues in strategic consultation on complex gift structures, estate gifts, life-income arrangements, gifts of closely held business interests, real estate, and other non-cash assets.

The Executive Director manages a portfolio of approximately 50 of the University's highest-capacity planned giving prospects and donors, with a primary emphasis on individuals capable of making gifts of $1 million or more. In addition to personal fundraising responsibilities, the Executive Director will support the AVP in gift planning program priorities, including marketing, stewardship initiatives, estate administration and program development while advancing best practices and innovative charitable planning strategies across Institutional Advancement.

Travel disclosure: This position involves travel throughout the Philadelphia metropolitan area and targeted regions across the country to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, engage alumni and stakeholders, and advance the university's fundraising and strategic priorities.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in charitable gift planning, principal gifts, estate planning, major gift fundraising, or related advancement leadership within higher education, healthcare, or a comparable nonprofit organization.
• Demonstrated expertise in charitable gift planning, estate planning, tax-advantaged philanthropy, life-income gifts, and gifts of complex assets.
• Demonstrated success developing and securing complex, blended, and transformational philanthropic gifts; advising senior institutional stakeholders; and collaborating across multiple organizational units is required.
• Demonstrated success securing transformational philanthropic commitments through sophisticated charitable planning strategies.
• Ability to develop long-range fundraising strategies aligned with institutional and campaign priorities.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, advise, and collaborate effectively with senior leadership, academic administrators, faculty, donors, and advancement professionals.
• Ability to communicate complex financial, legal, and tax concepts in clear, donor-centered language.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex priorities simultaneously.
• Knowledge of charitable tax law, estate planning principles, philanthropic trends, and fundraising best practices.
• Proficiency with fundraising CRM systems, donor databases, Microsoft Office Suite, and prospect research tools.
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally, regionally, and nationally to cultivate donor relationships and represent Temple University, including evenings and weekends as necessary.
• This position requires the following background checks: Cash Handling and Personally Identifiable Information background check.

Nice To Haves

• Legal or financial credentials such as JD, CPA, CFP®, CAP®, or equivalent professional designation.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a senior subject matter expert on charitable gift planning, providing strategic consultation regarding deferred gifts, life-income gifts, gifts of complex assets, blended gift strategies, and estate planning opportunities.
• Partners with the Associate Vice President to establish long-range Gift Planning priorities, identify emerging philanthropic opportunities, and implement strategies that strengthen the University's planned giving program.
• Represents Gift Planning in campaign planning discussions and collaborates across Institutional Advancement to maximize planned giving opportunities in principal and major gift solicitations.
• Monitors national trends, tax law developments, and industry best practices related to charitable gift planning and recommend enhancements to University policies, procedures, and fundraising strategies.
• Manages a portfolio of approximately 50 high-capacity planned giving prospects and donors, developing individualized strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward transformational planned and blended gifts.
• Focuses fundraising efforts on donors capable of making planned gifts of $1 million or more.
• Develops sophisticated charitable gift proposals and customized gift planning strategies that align donor philanthropic interests with University priorities.
• Works annually toward achieving established fundraising goals and performance metrics through strategic donor engagement, face-to-face meetings, proposal development, and gift closures.
• Partners with schools, colleges, academic leadership, frontline fundraisers, and external advisors to structure complex charitable gifts that advance institutional priorities.
• Serves as a trusted advisor to University leadership and Institutional Advancement colleagues regarding charitable gift planning strategies and gift structuring opportunities.
• Collaborates with Prospect Development and frontline fundraising teams to identify, evaluate, and prioritize new Gift Planning prospects across the University's fundraising pipeline.
• Develops and delivers Gift Planning education and professional development opportunities for frontline fundraising professionals to enhance institution-wide fundraising effectiveness.
• Works collaboratively with advancement leadership to integrate Gift Planning strategies throughout campaign initiatives, major gift fundraising, and donor engagement efforts.

Benefits

• A hybrid work schedule
• Full medical, dental, vision coverage
• Paid time off
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Tuition remission - eligible employees and their dependents can obtain a degree TUITION FREE
• A generous retirement plan

What This Job Offers

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