Senior Director, Gift Planning

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science•North Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director of Gift Planning reports to the Associate Vice President of Individual Giving & Special Campaigns and provides leadership for creating and executing an integrated strategy for estate and gift planning programs that advance the mission of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFU). The role leads and manages internal administrative and external donor-facing activities within the Institutional Advancement (IA) Division and serves as a knowledgeable resource for fundraising staff on gift planning and financial and legal strategies. As a member of the IA team, the Senior Director supports university funding initiatives related to health equity, innovation in research and education, and philanthropic partnerships. The position directs estate and gift planning activity, manages and solicits a national portfolio of prospects and donors, develops annual business plans and campaigns, and works collaboratively across IA and with university offices and external fiduciaries. It also provides expertise on gift agreements and realized gifts, maintains donor and prospect data and metrics, supports donor recognition and communications, and participates in major gift fundraising. The role is based in a hybrid office environment, with a flexible work arrangement potentially available after 90 days, including working from home one or two days per week. Evenings, weekends, and travel are required. Salary is $90,000–$108,045, depending on qualifications and experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least five years of experience managing a gift planning program.
Experience in higher education and working familiarity with CASE or other professional development organizations.
Ability to provide inspirational and effective stewardship and advancement services leadership through teamwork, collaboration, and dedication to the university’s mission, priorities, and vision.
Outstanding negotiation and communication skills, credibility, and the ability to command respect and gain confidence across varied audiences.
Experience operating at a senior level with multiple stakeholders and contributing to strategic management and advancement of gift planning activities.
Desire to engage actively with donors and prospective donors and passion for RFU’s aims and objectives.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and responsibility regarding advancement, university business, and prospect information.
Ability to articulate a clear vision to university and IA leadership and communicate complex information in writing and presentations.
Ability to work with stakeholders at all levels, including board members, executive leadership, deans, faculty, staff, alumni, students, and donors across generational groups.
Commitment to donor-centric, mission-driven engagement and philanthropic strategy.
Must achieve satisfactory results from a background check.
Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Evening, weekend, and travel availability is required.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in law, business, higher education, or health care.

Responsibilities

Strategize and direct the IA Division’s estate and gift planning activity in alignment with applicable professional standards and best practices, including those of NCGP, AFP, and CASE.
Serve as a collaborative, forthright, and ethical member of the Institutional Advancement Division.
Manage, cultivate, and solicit a national portfolio of gift planning prospects and donors through in-person, virtual, and phone engagement.
Lead collaborative estate and gift planning strategies intended to increase fundraising revenue from gift planning.
Cultivate, solicit, and secure 10 new estate commitments annually.
Create annual business plans with goals, objectives, and strategies for estate and gift planning, and regularly assess and communicate progress.
Participate in IA subcommittees focused on comprehensive campaigns, Leadership Councils and Advisory Boards, Reunion/Class Giving, Major Gift Fundraising, and the Impact Fund.
Develop and manage sustainable campaigns to increase awareness of estate and gift planning and gift planning commitments to RFU.
Document and manage the estate and gift planning prospect pathway in the university database and maintain metrics.
Provide strategy for the university’s process for drafting written gift agreements, letters of intent, and other legal instruments related to donor gifts, in coordination with the Office of General Counsel and Office of Finance.
Provide strategy and leadership for receiving realized bequests and comparable gifts from trusts, estates, and retirement plans, working with estate attorneys, executors, and trust and fiduciary representatives.
Provide strategy and leadership for monitoring and accepting realized beneficiary gifts from life insurance plans, coordinating with fiduciary and policy representatives.
Provide strategy and leadership for receiving grants from retirement plans and donor-advised funds, coordinating with fiduciary and fund representatives.
Serve as a gift planning subject matter expert to IA fundraising officers as they cultivate and solicit prospects and donors.
Lead the reestablishment and ongoing support of the Legacy Society estate plan donor recognition program.
Work with RFU Marketing to lead a gift planning communications plan using print newsletters, digital channels, the RFU website, and the gift planning microsite to generate leads through mass marketing.
Research tax, legal, and financial implications of complex gift plans.
Maintain current gift planning and advancement knowledge through professional associations and continuing education.
Cultivate local, regional, and national contacts.
Serve on the major gift team and cultivate, solicit, and close gifts as required.
Perform other assignments as required.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plans.
Paid parental leave.
Short-term and long-term disability plans.
Life insurance.
Flexible spending accounts.
403(b) retirement plan with an 8% employer contribution after two years of service.
Three weeks of vacation/personal leave for eligible full-time staff.
15 sick days for eligible full-time staff.
Nine paid holidays, paid winter break, and two floating holidays for eligible full-time staff.
Potential flexible work arrangement after 90 days, which may include working from home one or two days per week.