Senior Director of Gift Planning / Development Officer III/S

Working/Functional Title

Senior Director of Gift Planning

Position Summary

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY – JOB SUMMARY

Michigan State University is seeking an enthusiastic, energetic, and results-oriented individual with a deep understanding of gift planning, to join its dynamic fundraising team as the Senior Director of the Office of Gift Planning. This position will play a leadership role, expanding the number of MSU donors with sophisticated gift plans and the level of their charitable commitments in coordination with development/advancement colleagues and university leadership. The Senior Director will set the tone, vision, and strategy for the Office of Gift Planning in the organization and implementation of a comprehensive gift planning program. The Senior Director of Gift Planning will exercise functional and administrative supervision over gift planning professional staff, fundraising staff, and/or support staff as assigned.

The Senior Director of Gift Planning will be an accomplished, responsive, and collaborative member of MSU University Advancement Team. The Senior Director will be responsible for executing an aggressive schedule of donor activity to ensure a continuous pipeline of private future and current support for Michigan State University. The successful candidate will model and disseminate effective donor-centric fundraising techniques and will play a central role coordinating and coaching fundraisers and donors, as well as the donors’ attorneys, accountants, and financial planners, through complex transactions. The best candidate will be proficient in major gift fundraising, and in technical areas such as estate and wealth planning, tax, illiquid or hard to value assets, complex charitable giving vehicles and structures, and the financial and personal issues affecting wealthy families.

The Senior Director of Gift Planning will manage a revolving three-year portfolio of 75 principal, major and/or gift planning prospects. The Senior Director will average between 10-15 strategic personal meetings and conversations per month, which will result in greater engagement and movement toward solicitation. The Senior Director will report to the Associate Vice President of University Advancement, while still serving as a key resource and consultant to the entire University Advancement leadership team regarding gift planning and prospect/donor strategy.

 

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of the Senior Director of Gift Planning are as follows but not limited to:

Fundraising:

• Manage a portfolio of 75 principal, major, and planned giving prospects and donors.
• Annual fundraising activity should include over 100 significant personal meetings with prospects/donors/advisors and the delivery of over 25 proposals each year.
• Research selected individuals to identify, develop strategy for, and cultivate potential planned and major gifts.
• Assist donors and University Advancement colleagues regarding gift planning strategies, tax law, policies, procedures, and in resolving problems to effectively increase philanthropic support on behalf of Michigan State University.
• Maintain donor/prospect records to facilitate future commitments, current major gifts and establish and maintain gift histories and records.
• Coordinate and strategize solicitation activities with regional and constituency-based fundraising colleagues.
• Develop and maintain consistent professional and collegial relationships with all college, program, and/or central fundraising personnel.
• Respond to requests from donors and potential donors, follow-up with timely cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship as needed and appropriate.
• Maintain fundamental knowledge of college, athletic, and cultural centers strengths and critical private supports needs and campaign initiatives.
• Prepare and issue timely correspondence with alumni, friends, and donors.
• Possess a thorough understanding and ability to articulate the priorities and objectives for Michigan State University and the “Uncommon Will. Far Better World.” campaign.
• Understand and administer the University’s stewardship and gift acceptance policies and procedures.
• Prepare and submit a personal annual operating plan.

Program Management/Team Supervision:

• Set a leadership example of collaborative gift planning at Michigan State University and model best practices and behaviors for donor-centric fundraising.
• Work with the Gift Planning Support Specialist in the development and implementation of comprehensive gift planning marketing and communications plan.
• Collaborate with the members of the Gift Planning team to devise an annual Op Plan o