Planned Giving Officer

New England Conservatory of Music•Boston, MA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Planned Giving Officer (PGO) administers a comprehensive fundraising approach combining planned giving expertise and major gift fundraising to maximize philanthropic support for New England Conservatory (NEC). The role develops strategies for five- to seven-figure current, deferred, and blended gifts supporting annual priorities, special initiatives, and the endowment. The PGO collaborates with internal and external partners on planned giving marketing, stewardship, and solicitation, and serves as the team’s subject matter expert on gift documentation and related tax and estate considerations. The position works with the Business Office and counsel to ensure bequests, life income gifts, and complex transactions are documented appropriately, and coordinates gift commitments, probate notices, and realized estate gifts with trustees and executors. The PGO cultivates, solicits, and stewards a portfolio of approximately 75 alumni, parents, friends, and high-net-worth prospects. In partnership with Advancement colleagues, the officer develops fundraising collateral, proposals, donor strategies, and stewardship plans, helping build a planned and major gift pipeline aligned with NEC’s strategic initiatives and donors’ personal, financial, and philanthropic goals. The role also incorporates digital gift officer strategies and develops reports and statistical analyses of the prospect pool and donor pipeline. Reporting to the Director of Major Gifts, the PGO works with that director to plan and implement NEC’s planned and major gift fundraising program. The position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement and requires monthly travel, travel up to 30% of the time, and occasional evening or weekend work for donor events and receptions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
5–7 years of development or fundraising experience, with a proven record of marketing, soliciting, and closing major and planned gifts in the five- to seven-figure range.
Experience with Raiser’s Edge Prospect Management or a similar prospect system.
Experience compiling, analyzing, and reporting metrics and data.
Strong organizational and leadership skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to prioritize, multitask, and meet deadlines.
Ability and willingness to travel up to 30% of the time.

Responsibilities

Plan and implement a comprehensive fundraising program for planned giving and major gifts with the Director of Major Gifts.
Develop and oversee planned giving marketing through direct mail, email, social media, the website, and publications.
Increase membership in the Tourjée Society and collaborate with the Director of Donor Relations and Events on the Society’s stewardship program.
Cultivate, solicit, and manage a portfolio of approximately 75 planned gift, major gift, and prospective donor households.
Conduct approximately 5–7 meetings per month.
Partner with Advancement leadership and gift officers to develop donor strategies and present planned gift options to prospects.
Serve as the primary liaison to the Business Office for reconciliation and financial tracking of planned gifts.
Work with the Advancement Manager to prepare monthly and quarterly progress reports on planned gift fundraising activities.
Prepare reports, briefing materials, correspondence, proposals, and related documents for soliciting planned gift prospects.
Meet quarterly annual fundraising goals determined by the Director of Major Gifts and Chief Development Officer.
Assist the department and other business units in reaching financial goals.
Track gift commitments and probate notices and collaborate with trustees and executors to facilitate realized estate gifts.
Collaborate with internal and external partners to implement planned giving marketing, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
Develop fundraising collateral, proposals, and stewardship plans, and partner with Advancement colleagues on gift proposals.
Develop reports and statistical analyses of the prospect pool and donor pipeline in coordination with the Advancement team.
Attend and staff events as required, including occasional evening or weekend work and travel.
Perform other duties as assigned.