Brooklyn Law School
Director of Major Gifts and Gift Planning
The Brooklyn Law School is seeking a Director of Major Gifts and Gift Planning to lead major and planned giving efforts. Reports to the Chief Advancement Officer. This is a full-time, exempt role in Downtown Brooklyn, New York.
Overview Founded in 1901, Brooklyn Law School is an independent law school committed to training the next generation of lawyers and promoting social justice. The Director will be a front-line major gifts officer, coach and mentor to the Major Gift Officer, subject matter expert in gift planning, and a strategic partner to the CAO in building a robust major gift pipeline. This role also provides leadership for launching the first comprehensive campaign in the Law School’s history.
Responsibilities
Develop and implement fundraising strategies to achieve institutional goals, including principal gifts, major gifts, and planned gifts.
Manage and coach the Major Gift Officer to reach and exceed fundraising goals.
Identify, cultivate, and solicit donors with capacity to give $250,000 or greater.
Manage a portfolio of 100–120 donors/prospects and conduct a minimum of 100 in-person donor meetings per year.
Oversee and develop a robust gift planning program with multiple giving pathways for planned gifts.
Assist in planning and executing gift planning society events.
Provide regular gift planning training to advancement colleagues, especially when tax implications for donors change.
Develop expertise in giving opportunities that support the Law School’s programs while meeting donors’ philanthropic objectives.
Collaborate with the President/Dean and CAO to determine strategies for top prospects and donors.
Maintain meaningful contact (or attempted contact) with 100% of the portfolio during any six-month period.
Required qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required.
5–7 years of related experience in major gifts and gift planning.
Knowledge of higher education and fundraising strategies, particularly in the NYC market.
Proven success in major gift fundraising, including discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Deep knowledge of gift planning vehicles (e.g., bequests, trusts, annuities), gifts of securities, and related legal/tax considerations.
Experience drafting gift agreements and proposals.
Experience working with senior leadership (e.g., Presidents, Deans, C-Suite) for donor meetings.
Strategic thinker with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to build relationships internally and externally.
Donor- and goal-centric mindset; ability to work collaboratively in a complex environment and independently.
Self-motivated, entrepreneurial professional with passion for philanthropy's impact.
Preferred qualifications
Understanding of the role of development in an educational institution.
Experience working with professionals in legal, academic, and corporate communities.
Professional or lived NYC experience.
Energetic, capable of engaging donors and soliciting gifts with volunteers.
Remote capabilities
This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule with a minimum in-office presence of four days per week during the academic year when classes are in session and during exam periods. During the summer and academic breaks, a minimum of three days per week in the office is required.
Travel
The position may require monthly travel to meet donors. Nights and weekend work may also be required.
Benefits Brooklyn Law School offers an excellent benefits package including sick, personal and vacation paid time off, a generous retirement plan, dependent tuition scholarship, and additional summer Fridays PTO.
Equal Employment Opportunity Brooklyn Law School is committed to equal opportunity and inclusivity in its employment practices. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, natural origin, citizenship status, gender, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, union affiliation, political affiliation, sexual orientation or preferences, or any other protected status.
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Overview Founded in 1901, Brooklyn Law School is an independent law school committed to training the next generation of lawyers and promoting social justice. The Director will be a front-line major gifts officer, coach and mentor to the Major Gift Officer, subject matter expert in gift planning, and a strategic partner to the CAO in building a robust major gift pipeline. This role also provides leadership for launching the first comprehensive campaign in the Law School’s history.
Responsibilities
Develop and implement fundraising strategies to achieve institutional goals, including principal gifts, major gifts, and planned gifts.
Manage and coach the Major Gift Officer to reach and exceed fundraising goals.
Identify, cultivate, and solicit donors with capacity to give $250,000 or greater.
Manage a portfolio of 100–120 donors/prospects and conduct a minimum of 100 in-person donor meetings per year.
Oversee and develop a robust gift planning program with multiple giving pathways for planned gifts.
Assist in planning and executing gift planning society events.
Provide regular gift planning training to advancement colleagues, especially when tax implications for donors change.
Develop expertise in giving opportunities that support the Law School’s programs while meeting donors’ philanthropic objectives.
Collaborate with the President/Dean and CAO to determine strategies for top prospects and donors.
Maintain meaningful contact (or attempted contact) with 100% of the portfolio during any six-month period.
Required qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required.
5–7 years of related experience in major gifts and gift planning.
Knowledge of higher education and fundraising strategies, particularly in the NYC market.
Proven success in major gift fundraising, including discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Deep knowledge of gift planning vehicles (e.g., bequests, trusts, annuities), gifts of securities, and related legal/tax considerations.
Experience drafting gift agreements and proposals.
Experience working with senior leadership (e.g., Presidents, Deans, C-Suite) for donor meetings.
Strategic thinker with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to build relationships internally and externally.
Donor- and goal-centric mindset; ability to work collaboratively in a complex environment and independently.
Self-motivated, entrepreneurial professional with passion for philanthropy's impact.
Preferred qualifications
Understanding of the role of development in an educational institution.
Experience working with professionals in legal, academic, and corporate communities.
Professional or lived NYC experience.
Energetic, capable of engaging donors and soliciting gifts with volunteers.
Remote capabilities
This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule with a minimum in-office presence of four days per week during the academic year when classes are in session and during exam periods. During the summer and academic breaks, a minimum of three days per week in the office is required.
Travel
The position may require monthly travel to meet donors. Nights and weekend work may also be required.
Benefits Brooklyn Law School offers an excellent benefits package including sick, personal and vacation paid time off, a generous retirement plan, dependent tuition scholarship, and additional summer Fridays PTO.
Equal Employment Opportunity Brooklyn Law School is committed to equal opportunity and inclusivity in its employment practices. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, natural origin, citizenship status, gender, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, union affiliation, political affiliation, sexual orientation or preferences, or any other protected status.
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