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Director of Gift Planning



Job Description:

The Director of Gift Planning is responsible for strategic leadership, direction, and management of the Gift Planning Program—designed to secure support from alumni and friends of the University through outright gifts, estate and testamentary gift commitments. Develops and maintains their own active portfolio, preparing proposals and soliciting commitments from alumni and friends across the country.

The Director of Gift Planning is a strong and effective fundraiser who advises and mentors the Assistant/Associate Director of Gift Planning and Leadership Gift Officers in efforts to identify, cultivate, solicit, record and steward gifts from prospects whose support can be maximized through gift planning strategies. The Director also develops creative marketing efforts to effectively and systematically communicate and educate potential donors about the benefits of gift planning.

The Director manages and stewards W&L’s existing planned giving commitments and works with the Treasurer’s and Business offices, and acts as the custodian of charitable trusts, gift annuities and the W&L Pooled Income Fund. The Director advises on federal and state legislation and laws governing or having implications for educational philanthropy.

Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and inclusive environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.

Essential Functions:
  • Leads dedicated effort to increase planned gift commitments to the University in all forms and at all levels.

  • Develops and manages a dynamic personal portfolio of gift planning prospects, traveling extensively to cultivate, solicit and steward these individuals.

  • Serves as the University’s primary resource for gift planning information and expertise and collaborates with development staff in working with prospects on gift planning strategies. Develops donor trust and maintains confidentiality.

  • Works with gift planning colleagues and others in University Development and Advancement to develop a strategic and consistent marketing strategy for gift planning and oversees the execution of deliverables and marketing activities.

  • Oversees, coordinates, administers, and stewards all revocable and irrevocable planned gift commitments to the University.

  • Works with the Treasurer, Controller, General Counsel, Planned Giving Legal Counsel and BNY Mellon representatives in researching and responding to unique and challenging gift opportunities.

  • Conducts comprehensive peer benchmarking to inform the development of short- and long-range strategic plans and goals for the University’s gift planning program.

  • Leads periodic seminars and conversations educating potential donors about gift planning along with organizing and coordinating programs from off campus sources on planned giving topics and methodologies.

  • Other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: M-F, 8:30am - 4:30pm. Frequent travel will be required.

Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree is required and an advanced degree is preferred. Must have a strong record of relevant industry experience in areas such as development, gift planning, estate or retirement planning, estate law, or communications. Experience in higher education or a non-profit environment is preferred. Knowledge and understanding of planning methodologies and strategies as part of a comprehensive program is essential. Strong interpersonal skills are necessary as is the ability to clearly, and in lay terms, communicate gift planning strategies to potential donors. The ability to collaborate with professional advisors is important to success in this position. Must be willing to travel to cultivate and solicit potential donors.

Application Instructions:

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. A resume and cover letter are required. Attach both documents in the Resume/CV document upload section of the application. You will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references.

External Applicants: Application instructions for external applicants are located on the jobs.wlu.edu or here .

Current W&L Employees: Apply from your existing Workday account. Instructions are located at jobs.wlu.edu or here .

Physical Requirements:
  • Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.

  • Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

  • Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

Working Conditions: The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Types of Work: Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Position Type:

Position Type: Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible

Minimum Pay:

$115,486.00 - Pay Commensurate with Experience

The university requires employees to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and new employees must provide proof of at least their first shot prior to the first day of employment. Boosters are required. Individuals may seek a medical or a religious exemption to the vaccination requirement.

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