Senior Director of Gift Planning
About The Position
The College of New Jersey is entering an exciting new era under the leadership of President Michael Bernstein and Vice President for College Advancement, David Muha. With the upcoming public launch of the Elevating Excellence campaign-an ambitious $76M initiative supporting scholarships, academic enrichment, student experience, and capital priorities-TCNJ seeks an accomplished Senior Director of Gift Planning to lead its growing planned giving program. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and Campaign Manager, the Senior Director will serve as a key member of the Office of Development's leadership team. This individual will advance a comprehensive gift planning strategy that blends direct fundraising with expert consultation to strengthen deferred and blended giving. The Senior Director will also play a pivotal role in campaign planning and donor engagement, cultivating meaningful relationships with alumni, friends, and advisors to secure transformational support.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Minimum of 8 years of progressive fundraising and/or estate planning experience, including success securing six- and seven-figure planned or blended gifts.
- Strong understanding of charitable gift planning vehicles, legal and financial considerations, and donor cultivation best practices.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and inspire philanthropy across diverse constituencies.
- Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and commitment to public higher education.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree preferred.
Responsibilities
- Develop, market, and manage a comprehensive planned giving program that educates donors and advisors on deferred and blended giving opportunities.
- Partner with development colleagues to integrate gift planning strategies into major and principal gift work.
- Manage a portfolio of major and planned giving prospects, meeting defined annual and campaign fundraising goals.
- Oversee marketing, stewardship, and recognition efforts for planned giving, including the Heritage Society.
- Collaborate across Advancement to align planned giving with campaign priorities and donor communications.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical, dental and prescription plans
- Generous leave entitlements program and Energy Savings Program
- Employee and dependent Tuition Waiver and Reimbursement Program
- Pension, retirement, and deferred compensation plans, group life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Employee affinity groups
- New Jersey State Employee Discount Program (Pet insurance, cell phone plan discounts, discounted amusement park tickets, etc.)
- Access to extensive learning opportunities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Industry
Educational Services
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
