Executive Director, Gift Planning

Build, implement and manage the Office of Gift Planning that serves Ithaca College and its funding priorities. Manage a portfolio of gift planning donor prospects, comprising alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends who are considered at the major gift capacity level. Serve as a key external contact responsible for communicating with existing and prospective gift planning donors not already managed by other gift officers for the purposes of donor qualifications, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Serve as a key internal contact for fellow gift officers who are working with prospects to structure leadership, major or principal level gifts with a gift planning component. Contact donors, donor attorneys, trust officers, and financial and tax advisors to provide complete and accurate information about gift planning opportunities and for the settlement of probated estates and other realized planned gifts. Work in collaboration with the college's financial office to monitor the gift annuity program and oversee the college's regulatory compliance for gift annuity reporting. Provide technical and strategic support to fellow gift officers as necessary to assist with closing gifts; ensure fellow gift officers have minimum level of gift planning fluency to integrate within leadership, major, and principal gifts, and broaden the Division's ability to raise planned gifts. Provide counsel and promote effective stewardship for new and existing donors with the support of the office of donor relations. Create and execute an annual gift planning strategic marketing campaign, and follow up on inquiries from prospective donors responding to those initiatives.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Design, manage and implement activities related to the solicitation and stewardship of planned gifts for Ithaca College.
2. Develop and manage a portfolio of gift planning donors and prospects and effectively solicit outright and planned gifts.
3. Provide effective stewardship for existing planned gift donors by assisting fellow gift officers with recommending and developing personal stewardship plans in conjunction with the Office of Donor Relations.
4. Respond to inquiries and contact donors, donor attorneys, trust officers, and financial and tax advisors to provide complete and accurate information about planned giving opportunities and serve as primary liaison with donor families and attorneys' in the settlement of probated estates and other realized planned gifts.
5. Work with the Director of Principal Gifts, and major and leadership giving officers to integrate planned gift asks to enhance planned giving, complex, or blended gift asks.
6. Develop an annual marketing strategy for gift planning vehicles and work with colleagues in the Philanthropy & Engagement Division to develop support materials for marketing of planned gifts, support materials, and stewardship events.
7. Develop, demonstrate, and promote multicultural awareness and contribute to cultivating an inclusive, diverse and respectful College community. Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion as a college priority, communicate to employees an expectation of behavior that is civil and inclusive when interacting with all staff, faculty, students and visitors and promote a flexible, collaborative and inclusive work and living environment.
8. Work with the AVP of Philanthropy to provide education and training in gift planning techniques to other frontline fundraisers, and to external audiences.
9. Work with Donor Relations to welcome and steward planned gift donors via the Founder's Circle.
10. Develop a network of legal and financial professionals to support the college's planned giving efforts.
11. Work with donor relations to create endowment and gift agreements related to planned gifts.
12. Oversee an Administrative Assistant and ensure accurate data entry and data integrity, as well as other record keeping, reporting, and donor communications involving the gift planning program. Prepare and conduct performance reviews, and identify goals and objectives, and development opportunities.

Qualifications: 

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years' experience working in a higher education environment in a fundraising capacity; knowledge of gift planning vehicles such as charitable trusts, gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, charitable bequests, annual support strategies and other non-traditional gifts; demonstrated experience working with diverse groups of donors/prospects and their families and advisors; ability to cultivate an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment; ability to treat all people equitably and with a sensitivity and awareness to cultural difference; demonstrated ability to hold others accountable for behavior that is supportive of a community that is diverse and inclusive; demonstrate strong organizational and analytic skills; excellent interpersonal, relationship building, written/verbal communication and listening skills and the ability to use data to make and implement strategic decisions are required.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants must apply online and attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references. Questions about online applications should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (607) 274-8000 or humanresources@ithaca.edu 

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

Hiring Range:

$102,500 - $107,500, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  We pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with comprehensive benefits, including work/life balance, generous paid time off policies, career-enhancing trainings, educational benefits, and opportunities to give back to the community. Beyond benefits, you’ll enjoy the kind of uniquely rewarding work environment that can only be found in a vibrant college community.  For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit https://www.ithaca.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits-wellness