Executive Director of Planned Giving

West Virginia University Foundation•Morgantown, WV

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

As the public launch of the most ambitious campaign at West Virginia University approaches, the West Virginia University Foundation seeks an Executive Director of Planned Giving to serve as the subject matter expert and central development leader for a comprehensive planned giving program. The Executive Director leads a team and works collaboratively with development staff across campus to secure planned gift commitments from alumni and friends of West Virginia University.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
Seven or more years of progressive experience in frontline fundraising, with a demonstrable and successful track record in planned giving, major gifts, or a closely related field (such as estate planning, wealth management, or trust leadership) is required.
Strong written, verbal, organization, and interpersonal skills are required.
Successful candidates will be self-motivated and possess the ability to work as a team member within a complex organization requiring collaboration, teamwork, and communication.
Must possess the capacity and willingness to fully engage in a technology driven development operation including proficiency in customer relationship management systems, currently CRM/Blackbaud and soon to be Salesforce; Microsoft Office products; external and online research databases.

Nice To Haves

an advanced degree (Master’s) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) is highly preferred.
Professional certifications such as CFA, CFP, CTFA, CFRE, or other advanced financial planning or fundraising credentials.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a systematic program for the identification, cultivation and solicitation of planned giving prospects
Proactive partner with major gift officers and development staff across colleges, units, and regions to identify planned giving opportunities within existing portfolios
Oversee an extensive planned giving marketing program to generate leads using print, social media, direct mail, email, advertising, and networking with professional associations to promote deferred gift opportunities
Supervise and recommend, along with creating and leading, educational and training opportunities for all staff members on the functions of planned giving and deferred gift instruments, along with donor strategies
Act as a staff liaison with colleges/units across campus providing expertise on deferred gift instruments and prospect strategy
Personally solicit and close planned and blended gifts, including bequests, beneficiary designations (retirement plans and life insurance), and gifts involving both current and deferred components
Travel locally, regionally, and nationally for the purpose of advancing the mission of the Planned Giving program, to cultivate, solicit, and steward planned giving prospects and donors
Document donor contact, strategy, and gift outcomes in the Foundation’s CRM in a timely and accurate manner
Collaborate with Research and Prospect Management, Technology and Advancement Solutions, and other WVUF staff as appropriate, maintaining the accuracy, thoroughness, and integrity of planned giving records in CRM (soon to be Salesforce)
Working with Donor Relations, develop and execute planned giving stewardship plans and programs for a one-off planned gift donor, the entire Planned Giving program, or respective segments of planned gift donors.
With Donor Relations, plan and execute all pertinent activities of the Irvin Stewart Society, the Foundation’s primary recognition vehicle for planned gift donors
Hold membership in several associations and formal/informal networks to stay abreast of the latest techniques, tax issues, gift management processes, and other best practices for a proactive planned giving program
Develop and maintain relations with various professionals in the estate planning field to promote knowledge regarding planned gift vehicles, generally, and opportunities to support the University and all its affiliates through planned giving, specifically
Establish and maintain relations with advisors in the fields of law, banking, accounting, insurance, financial planning and services, and others as appropriate, for the purpose of assisting donors in accomplishing their personal financial goals, generating specific referrals for new business, and partnering with other charities and non-profit institutions, to promote estate planning and planned giving
Draft, and deliver where appropriate, articles, speeches, seminar topics, and other written or verbal materials for internal and external uses of all kinds, the purpose of which is to inform constituents about the various planned giving opportunities available through the WVU Foundation
Develop annual goals with measurable objectives for the Planned Giving program and team, culminating in annual performance evaluation of the program and team performance
Assume additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by the Associate Vice President, Central Development, the Senior Vice President of Development, or President of the Foundation