Vanderbilt University
Director of Development, Gift Planning
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37247
Overview
The Director for Gift Planning is a skilled development officer role, focused on maximizing donor potential through creative planned giving strategies including cash and non-liquid assets. This is a frontline fundraising position that also collaborates widely with others to develop and execute joint strategies that drive donor-centric fundraising. In addition to these responsibilities, this position is part of a five-person gift planning team and is the designated team lead to work across Development and Alumni Relations to develop and execute gift planning marketing activities. This is a new role joining a growing gift planning team within a development team that has generated traditional growth across all giving bands in recent years. The growth is part of a reimagined gift planning strategy that prioritizes donor centricity, creative gift structures, and consistent collaboration across all fundraising teams to maximize donor support. The ideal candidate has strong frontline fundraising track record, experience in gift planning, and has some experience with closing creative or complex gifts.
About the Work Unit
The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing resources required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs. You can find more information here: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/
Key Functions and Expected Performance
Manages a Portfolio and Closes Six and Seven Figure Gifts
Achieves success based on balanced performance indicators including new commitments received, solicitations made, and team goals.
Drives prospect engagement throughout the donor cycle
From qualification to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship by maintaining active portfolio management alongside identifying new potential prospects and enhancing the pipeline.
Directly and indirectly solicits 6 and 7-figure gifts
As the primary fundraiser or in direct support of another fundraiser by providing gift planning expertise and securing philanthropic support for all schools, athletics, and university priorities.
Actively participates in joint strategy sessions
With other teams and individual fundraisers to emphasize gift-maximizing strategies via gift planning.
Maintains travel schedule and regional coverage
Collaborates with a designated school/unit liaison area.
Individually stewards planned giving donors
As members of the Sarratt Society through visits, outreach, and small gatherings.
Collaborates Widely and Facilitates Gift Planning Marketing Efforts
Supports gift planning team efforts
To provide resources, training, and strategy coaching for all levels of fundraisers to close traditional estate gifts and creative or illiquid gifts.
Leads gift planning marketing coordination
Coordination with other functions including DAR communications, VU Marketing, and external vendors to execute a full calendar of marketing opportunities.
Builds marketing strategy
Consultatively builds an overarching marketing effort to generate new gift planning leads, communicate financial strategies to prospects, and market Vanderbilt-specific giving opportunities.
Manages communications needs
Serves as the point person on the team to facilitate gift planning website updates and other communication needs, streamlining gift planning connectivity to other teams.
Supervisory Relationships
This position does not have any direct reports. It reports administratively and functionally to the Executive Director of Gift Planning.
Work Environment
There is a preference that this position be located in the Nashville, TN area. However, open to remote employees. If located in the Nashville area, this position would be hybrid with an expectation of being in the office one day per week, or more depending on business needs. If located remote, this position would be required to travel to Nashville quarterly or more depending on business needs.
Education and Certifications
A bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, is necessary. An advanced degree, or certification in estate planning, is preferred.
Experience and Skills Five or more years of development experience, or the equivalent, is required, with a proven track record of successful major gift solicitations, preferably within a non-profit setting.
Willingness and ability to personally solicit gifts of $100,000 and larger.
Strong understanding of development and planned giving strategies and best practices. Experience working with bequests, trusts, taxes, and other planned giving mechanisms.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire donors.
Willingness, if remote, to travel regularly to Nashville for key meetings, activities, trainings, and teambuilding activities.
Excellent organizational skills, oral and written communications skills and the ability to articulate the needs, interests and accomplishments of Vanderbilt University to a wide range of audiences.
Ability to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential information.
Ability to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Vanderbilt’s donor management system.
Ability to work independently, take initiative, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to ever-changing priorities.
Driving is considered an essential job function for this role. Operating a motor vehicle is a regular and necessary part of this position. A motor vehicle registration (MVR) check is routinely conducted to ensure compliance.
Routine overnight travel is required.
Some evening and weekend work, as needed.
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The Director for Gift Planning is a skilled development officer role, focused on maximizing donor potential through creative planned giving strategies including cash and non-liquid assets. This is a frontline fundraising position that also collaborates widely with others to develop and execute joint strategies that drive donor-centric fundraising. In addition to these responsibilities, this position is part of a five-person gift planning team and is the designated team lead to work across Development and Alumni Relations to develop and execute gift planning marketing activities. This is a new role joining a growing gift planning team within a development team that has generated traditional growth across all giving bands in recent years. The growth is part of a reimagined gift planning strategy that prioritizes donor centricity, creative gift structures, and consistent collaboration across all fundraising teams to maximize donor support. The ideal candidate has strong frontline fundraising track record, experience in gift planning, and has some experience with closing creative or complex gifts.
About the Work Unit
The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing resources required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs. You can find more information here: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/
Key Functions and Expected Performance
Manages a Portfolio and Closes Six and Seven Figure Gifts
Achieves success based on balanced performance indicators including new commitments received, solicitations made, and team goals.
Drives prospect engagement throughout the donor cycle
From qualification to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship by maintaining active portfolio management alongside identifying new potential prospects and enhancing the pipeline.
Directly and indirectly solicits 6 and 7-figure gifts
As the primary fundraiser or in direct support of another fundraiser by providing gift planning expertise and securing philanthropic support for all schools, athletics, and university priorities.
Actively participates in joint strategy sessions
With other teams and individual fundraisers to emphasize gift-maximizing strategies via gift planning.
Maintains travel schedule and regional coverage
Collaborates with a designated school/unit liaison area.
Individually stewards planned giving donors
As members of the Sarratt Society through visits, outreach, and small gatherings.
Collaborates Widely and Facilitates Gift Planning Marketing Efforts
Supports gift planning team efforts
To provide resources, training, and strategy coaching for all levels of fundraisers to close traditional estate gifts and creative or illiquid gifts.
Leads gift planning marketing coordination
Coordination with other functions including DAR communications, VU Marketing, and external vendors to execute a full calendar of marketing opportunities.
Builds marketing strategy
Consultatively builds an overarching marketing effort to generate new gift planning leads, communicate financial strategies to prospects, and market Vanderbilt-specific giving opportunities.
Manages communications needs
Serves as the point person on the team to facilitate gift planning website updates and other communication needs, streamlining gift planning connectivity to other teams.
Supervisory Relationships
This position does not have any direct reports. It reports administratively and functionally to the Executive Director of Gift Planning.
Work Environment
There is a preference that this position be located in the Nashville, TN area. However, open to remote employees. If located in the Nashville area, this position would be hybrid with an expectation of being in the office one day per week, or more depending on business needs. If located remote, this position would be required to travel to Nashville quarterly or more depending on business needs.
Education and Certifications
A bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, is necessary. An advanced degree, or certification in estate planning, is preferred.
Experience and Skills Five or more years of development experience, or the equivalent, is required, with a proven track record of successful major gift solicitations, preferably within a non-profit setting.
Willingness and ability to personally solicit gifts of $100,000 and larger.
Strong understanding of development and planned giving strategies and best practices. Experience working with bequests, trusts, taxes, and other planned giving mechanisms.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire donors.
Willingness, if remote, to travel regularly to Nashville for key meetings, activities, trainings, and teambuilding activities.
Excellent organizational skills, oral and written communications skills and the ability to articulate the needs, interests and accomplishments of Vanderbilt University to a wide range of audiences.
Ability to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential information.
Ability to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Vanderbilt’s donor management system.
Ability to work independently, take initiative, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to ever-changing priorities.
Driving is considered an essential job function for this role. Operating a motor vehicle is a regular and necessary part of this position. A motor vehicle registration (MVR) check is routinely conducted to ensure compliance.
Routine overnight travel is required.
Some evening and weekend work, as needed.
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