Interim Director, Planned Giving, The Pomona Plan

Another Source•Claremont, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Another Source's client, Pomona College, is recruiting an Interim Director, Planned Giving - Pomona Plan to join their team in Claremont, California. This role offers flexibility for a hybrid schedule, with the expectation that the successful candidate will be local and available for in-office work as needed. Founded in 1887, Pomona College is a nationally recognized liberal arts college and a founding member of The Claremont Colleges. Its Advancement organization is currently supporting the most aspirational and comprehensive capital campaign in the College's history. At the center of this opportunity is the Pomona Plan, the College's flagship charitable life-income program. Known for its highly personalized approach to donors and beneficiaries, the Pomona Plan brings together sophisticated gift planning, financial and tax strategy, and long-term relationship building to advance Pomona's mission. The Interim Director, Pomona Plan is an opportunity for an experienced planned giving professional to step into a sophisticated program and make an immediate impact. Reporting to the Senior Director, Pomona Plan, this full-time, benefits-eligible interim position is currently planned to provide coverage through January 15, 2027, or as determined by the College. You'll serve as a subject matter expert in life-income and planned gifts, combining technical expertise with donor strategy and hands-on operational support. The role will help maintain the Pomona Plan's high-touch donor experience while supporting its future pipeline, campaign goals, and long-term growth. This is an especially compelling opportunity for someone who understands the intersection of philanthropy, tax and estate planning, and donor relationships—and who can confidently collaborate with frontline fundraisers, finance and investment professionals, legal counsel, and outside advisors.

Requirements

Advanced degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in tax, estate planning, or financial planning.
Relevant credentials may include a J.D., CFP, CPA, or CSPG. Candidates presenting a J.D. must provide evidence of passing a state bar examination.
Seven to ten years of professional experience at a major academic institution or in a related field, with increasing fundraising success and responsibility involving life-income and legacy giving, tax, estate and financial planning, and investment management.
Demonstrated success personally qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding life-income gifts from individual donors.
Strong technical expertise in the tax, estate, and financial planning considerations relevant to planned giving.
Experience advising and building relationships with high-net-worth donors and prospects.
Current knowledge of tax laws affecting gift planning and a commitment to remaining current as regulations and donor circumstances evolve.
Experience supporting comprehensive or large-scale fundraising campaigns within higher education.
Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and advisory skills, with the judgment and discretion to work with donors, colleagues, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple priorities independently while collaborating effectively across Advancement and the College.
Comfort using Microsoft Office, CRM platforms such as Salesforce, and technology to support fundraising operations, analysis, and process improvement.
Valid driver's license or equivalent reliable transportation for off-site meetings and events.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day strategic, technical, and operational support for the Pomona Plan and its life-income gift program.
Advise colleagues on gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, legacy gifts, and other sophisticated planned giving strategies.
Partner with frontline fundraisers to develop life-income proposals based on donors' financial, tax, philanthropic, and estate-planning circumstances.
Help identify opportunities to structure gifts that align donor interests with Pomona's priorities, including blended major, life-income, and legacy gifts.
Support the pipeline of new and repeat Pomona Plan donors and contribute to annual, multi-year, and campaign revenue goals.
Provide quality oversight for life-income gift calculations and proposals, gift processing, agreements, tax letters, account updates, and beneficiary communications.
Collaborate with Finance, Investments, Pomona's General Counsel, outside legal and gift planning counsel, TIAA Kaspick, and Advancement Services to maintain strong compliance and fiduciary practices.
Provide technical and tax guidance across Advancement and advise on policies and procedures for cultivating, closing, recording, and stewarding life-income gifts.
Partner with Advancement Communications on life-income marketing initiatives and with Stewardship on donor engagement, including members of the Allen F. Hawley Society.
Support data, analytics, and reporting efforts that strengthen the Pomona Plan's long-term strategy.
Bring a collaborative, service-oriented approach that helps maintain a healthy team environment and the personalized donor experience for which the Pomona Plan is known.