Senior Director, Philanthropy - Gift Planning

University of Louisville•Louisville, KY

About The Position

The Schools and Colleges Senior Director of Philanthropy for Gift Planning is responsible for the creation and execution of a strategic fundraising plan in the area of estate and gift planning in coordination with the Executive Director for Gift Planning, the Senior Associate Vice President of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement (PAE), and the Executive Director of Philanthropy for Schools and Colleges. This position will play a key role – individually and collectively – in cultivating long-term relationships with donors who have the capacity to make transformative planned gifts, while leveraging the relationships and vision of university leaders to secure support for strategic university priorities and initiatives. The Colleges and Schools Senior Director of Philanthropy will be a seasoned and exceptional team-oriented fundraising professional with a demonstrated successful track record in securing high-dollar philanthropic gifts. All job functions must be performed with a high degree of professionalism, including responsibility, initiative, creativity, dependability, cooperation, and courtesy. A sense of urgency must be balanced with the sensitivity and patience required for mature donors who are often making the largest gift commitment of their lives. A high level of personal and professional integrity is a must, along with the ability to communicate effectively and frequently with colleagues across multiple units.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field and six (6) years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree in any rigorous academic field and a minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience as a proven fundraising leader in a complex, decentralized, comprehensive university environment is preferred.
An advanced degree and a professional fundraising or gift planning certification is valued.
Experience with high-net-worth individuals, capital project fundraising, gift planning or wealth management, and experience with capital fundraising campaigns is highly valued.
Experience managing a major gift portfolio utilizing metrics, systems, and relationship-building skills to maximize strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of 6-figure- plus donors and transformational gifts.
A deep understanding of and commitment to an integrated advancement program, and experience in a complex major research university environment.
A keen understanding of the natural tension that exists when working with a multitude of colleges, departments, and programs with varying priorities is essential.
Experience working to sustain strong working relationships with staff, donors, faculty, volunteers, and academic leadership is imperative.
A strong ability to develop sincere, productive relationships and to build trust both with internal colleagues and external constituencies.
Keen sense of requirements necessary to foster a team-centric culture and environment.
Proven success at developing and implementing creative solicitation strategies for transformational philanthropic gifts in a team-oriented and collaborative environment.
Superior interpersonal and listening skills and exceptional negotiation skills, and proven ability to make independent decisions.
Self-driven and goal-oriented, the individual will be adept in handling multiple priorities and act with a high degree of integrity, professionalism, creativity, and cooperation with internal and external constituents.
Be able to effectively develop and manage a successful giving program to the point of sustainability.

Responsibilities

Lead the execution of strategic and tactical Schools and Colleges gift-planning initiatives and marketing efforts to identify prospective major and/or principal bequest and planned giving donors to achieve or surpass an annual fundraising goal as determined by PAE leadership and no less than the performance standard of $3M.
Use strategic moves management to manage a portfolio of high-potential individual prospects capable of making 6-7 figure planned gifts by moving individuals through the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship cycles. Some of these donors will have multiple, complex university relationships, where the opportunity exists to have university-wide impact with blended gifts requiring thoughtful, experienced relationship management.
Forge long-term relationships with planned giving prospects and donors, encouraging them to attend Conn Legacy Society events and working with the Director for Donor Relations to develop customized stewardship plans related to their interest areas(s).
Work closely with Prospect Management, PAE colleagues, faculty, alumni, and volunteers to identify and create cultivation strategies for new high-wealth prospects.
Interface regularly with deans, faculty, program directors, and other University leaders to prepare for prospect meetings and other solicitations.
Meet annual metrics and through qualifying visits, cultivation initiatives, and a solicitation process that aligns with donors’ financial capacity to secure gift commitments, obtain estate documentation, and steward current donors.
Record moves management into the CRM database to track engagement with donors.
In collaboration with the appropriate PAE colleagues, oversee the preparation of funding proposals, talking points and scripts, assessments of potential support, briefings, gift agreements, endowments, and stewardship reports for assigned prospects. Ensure that all interested parties are involved in key efforts focused on specific prospects.
Resource Schools and Colleges development officers working on potential bequests and planned gifts, consistently promoting deferred giving and reinforcing how various gift planning vehicles can facilitate visionary gifts.
Advise key university leaders on opportunities for their involvement with specific fundraising and engagement events and initiatives with top gift-planning prospects
Provide assistance to university leaders, including the President, Provost, Deans, and other academic leadership, in solicitations and interactions with donor prospects as appropriate.
Serve as the point person for gifts-in-kind received across the university by reviewing gift documentation and providing guidance to philanthropy officers and donors.
Overnight and local travel, as well as attending some evening and weekend events, is required.