Manager, Gift Planning

World Wildlife Fund•Washington D.C., WA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), a global conservation organization, seeks a Manager, Gift Planning to lead the donor-facing part of its Gift Planning program. Reporting to the Senior Director of Gift Planning, the Manager acts as the department’s deputy and guides donor inquiry follow-up, cultivation, qualification, and closing of planned gifts. The role supervises Gift Planning Officers securing bequests, life income arrangements, and other current and deferred gift commitments, and oversees the Gift Planning Development Coordinator’s work on marketing leads, data tracking, and administrative operations. The Manager also maintains a personal portfolio of donor inquiries and existing donors, oversees pipeline management and reporting, and partners with the Senior Director to develop and execute annual and long-term goals. The role leads and develops the team, improves program processes and systems, supports integrated fundraising strategies, and ensures meaningful stewardship of Legacy Circle members. The position is hybrid, with a preference for Washington, DC; candidates may also be based in WWF’s Chicago, Illinois, or San Francisco, California offices. Employees must work in the office at least two days per week. The position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship, and relocation is not provided.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
At least 8 years of demonstrated success in planned giving, including staff supervision.
Demonstrated success implementing strategies and systems that substantially increase efficiency in a gift planning program.
Effective collaboration with external allied professionals and internal peers and staff.
Working knowledge of the technical, legal, and financial requirements associated with planned giving.
Expertise working with donors, volunteers, and allied professionals.
Ability to conceptualize and implement qualification and solicitation strategies and pipeline management systems involving a high volume of inquiries.
Knowledge of direct mail, marketing, and the legal and technical aspects of planned giving.
Excellent management, supervision, and organizational skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Experience with planned gift calculation software, such as PG Calc or Crescendo.
Commitment to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
Alignment with WWF’s core values of Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; employment visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

Relevant professional credential or planned giving certification, such as CPA, JD, CFP, CAP, CGPA, or CFRE.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage Gift Planning Officers’ activities to ensure timely follow-up on new leads and their progression through cultivation, qualification, and closing.
Review, refine, and improve donor cultivation and gift-tracking processes and procedures.
Refine and implement measurable outreach-call and donor-contact goals as part of pipeline management.
Monitor and evaluate team performance against goals and key performance indicators.
Develop work processes that improve efficiency and effectiveness through strategic use of tools, data, and analysis.
Manage inquiry pipeline reporting and ensure accurate forecasting of planned gift activity.
Partner with the Senior Director of Gift Planning to develop and execute annual and long-term gift planning goals.
Focus on increasing the number of documented planned gift intentions.
Ensure meaningful, personalized stewardship of Legacy Circle members within Gift Planning Officer portfolios.
Refine outreach strategies to engage and qualify gift planning prospects.
Manage, mentor, and motivate Gift Planning Officers to achieve individual and team goals.
Collaborate with Annual Giving and Regional Philanthropy Officers to support integrated fundraising strategies.
Provide mentoring, coaching, and cross-training opportunities across regional teams.
Maintain a balanced personal portfolio of donor inquiries and existing donors and provide appropriate stewardship and engagement.
Supervise the Gift Planning Development Coordinator, ensuring timely entry and assignment of marketing leads, effective phone and email inquiry coverage, accurate tracking of Gift Planning Officer travel and expenses, and management of departmental data systems and assigned administrative projects.