San José State University
Associate Director of Planned Giving
San José State University, San Jose, California, United States, 95199
Job Summary
The Associate Director of Planned Giving is a key fundraising professional responsible for managing a portfolio of prospective and existing donors of planned and deferred gifts requiring financial and estate planning expertise. Reporting to the Senior Director of Planned Giving, this role builds and deepens long‑term relationships, guiding supporters and their advisors through the process of making significant legacy gifts to the university, including outright gifts, real estate, trusts and all forms of deferred giving (estate planning, bequests and other life‑income gifts). The Associate Director serves as a subject‑matter expert on complex gift vehicles and collaborates closely with fundraising colleagues across campus to advance institutional priorities and secure support for strategic campaigns through donor engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Identify and cultivate a portfolio of planned giving, major giving and blended gift prospects through regular and direct engagement.
Solicit and close a variety of planned gifts, including bequests, charitable trusts, charitable gift annuities and gifts of non‑cash assets (e.g., real estate, securities).
Prepare customized proposals and supporting materials that align with donor interests and explain the financial implications of various gift plans.
Consult with donor’s advisors involved in gift agreements, informing tax, legal and financial advisors of the university policies for planned gifts.
Assist prospective donors and their advisors in clarifying objectives and obtaining and recording pertinent information.
Build and maintain relationships with estate and financial planning professionals in the community to generate new leads and enhance the university’s network.
Conduct a high volume of meaningful donor visits and document all donor contacts and activities in the university’s CRM database to ensure a clear record of engagement.
Serve as a subject‑matter expert on planned giving vehicles, providing technical advice and support to donors, their professional advisors (e.g., attorneys, accountants, financial planners, bank trust officers, chartered life underwriters) and development colleagues in designing and structuring deferred or planned gifts.
Work in close collaboration with college development directors to identify planned gift opportunities within their portfolios and execute joint cultivation and solicitation strategies.
Develop and deliver training sessions and educational materials for internal staff and volunteers to increase their knowledge of planned giving and to assist in identifying new prospects.
Lead the creation of marketing strategies and materials to raise awareness of planned giving opportunities at the university (e.g., educational seminars, Heritage Society newsletters and events, outreach campaigns).
Work closely with various campus departments and University Advancement units to ensure seamless gift processing.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner.
Demonstrated ability to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors and effectively move them through the development cycle, leading to closing six‑figure and seven‑figure gifts.
Working knowledge and understanding of planned giving programs, including charitable remainder trusts and gift annuities, as well as gift management and stewardship.
Demonstrated understanding of charitable gift and tax laws, as well as financial and estate planning techniques.
Knowledge of planned giving vehicles, techniques and estate planning concepts.
Working knowledge of tax law and IRS regulations.
Skillful in managing multiple projects on tight deadlines and under pressure in a dynamic environment.
Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills for both internal and external collaboration.
Organized, detail‑oriented and professional approach, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
Experience with CRM/donor databases, Microsoft Office and gift‑tracking tools.
Model high levels of ethics and integrity to all campus and external stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
A minimum of two years of successful development, financial planning, asset management and/or fundraising‑related experience, preferably in higher education, hospital or related non‑profit fundraising environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree or certification in estate and gift planning.
Experience in higher education fundraising.
Experience with various gift and estate planning strategies and technical practices.
Experience with California‑specific philanthropic landscape or professional advisor networks.
Compensation Classification: Administrator I
Anticipated Hiring Salary: $7,350 per month
CSU Salary Range: $3,938 per month – $11,703 per month
The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.
San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30‑35% of base salary.
Application Procedure Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:
Resume
Letter of Interest
All applicants must apply within the specified application period:
October 29, 2025 through November 12, 2025 . This position remains open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.
Contact Information jobs@sjsu.edu | 408‑924‑2252
Equal Employment Statement San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self‑disclose.
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Key Responsibilities
Identify and cultivate a portfolio of planned giving, major giving and blended gift prospects through regular and direct engagement.
Solicit and close a variety of planned gifts, including bequests, charitable trusts, charitable gift annuities and gifts of non‑cash assets (e.g., real estate, securities).
Prepare customized proposals and supporting materials that align with donor interests and explain the financial implications of various gift plans.
Consult with donor’s advisors involved in gift agreements, informing tax, legal and financial advisors of the university policies for planned gifts.
Assist prospective donors and their advisors in clarifying objectives and obtaining and recording pertinent information.
Build and maintain relationships with estate and financial planning professionals in the community to generate new leads and enhance the university’s network.
Conduct a high volume of meaningful donor visits and document all donor contacts and activities in the university’s CRM database to ensure a clear record of engagement.
Serve as a subject‑matter expert on planned giving vehicles, providing technical advice and support to donors, their professional advisors (e.g., attorneys, accountants, financial planners, bank trust officers, chartered life underwriters) and development colleagues in designing and structuring deferred or planned gifts.
Work in close collaboration with college development directors to identify planned gift opportunities within their portfolios and execute joint cultivation and solicitation strategies.
Develop and deliver training sessions and educational materials for internal staff and volunteers to increase their knowledge of planned giving and to assist in identifying new prospects.
Lead the creation of marketing strategies and materials to raise awareness of planned giving opportunities at the university (e.g., educational seminars, Heritage Society newsletters and events, outreach campaigns).
Work closely with various campus departments and University Advancement units to ensure seamless gift processing.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner.
Demonstrated ability to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors and effectively move them through the development cycle, leading to closing six‑figure and seven‑figure gifts.
Working knowledge and understanding of planned giving programs, including charitable remainder trusts and gift annuities, as well as gift management and stewardship.
Demonstrated understanding of charitable gift and tax laws, as well as financial and estate planning techniques.
Knowledge of planned giving vehicles, techniques and estate planning concepts.
Working knowledge of tax law and IRS regulations.
Skillful in managing multiple projects on tight deadlines and under pressure in a dynamic environment.
Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills for both internal and external collaboration.
Organized, detail‑oriented and professional approach, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
Experience with CRM/donor databases, Microsoft Office and gift‑tracking tools.
Model high levels of ethics and integrity to all campus and external stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
A minimum of two years of successful development, financial planning, asset management and/or fundraising‑related experience, preferably in higher education, hospital or related non‑profit fundraising environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree or certification in estate and gift planning.
Experience in higher education fundraising.
Experience with various gift and estate planning strategies and technical practices.
Experience with California‑specific philanthropic landscape or professional advisor networks.
Compensation Classification: Administrator I
Anticipated Hiring Salary: $7,350 per month
CSU Salary Range: $3,938 per month – $11,703 per month
The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.
San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30‑35% of base salary.
Application Procedure Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:
Resume
Letter of Interest
All applicants must apply within the specified application period:
October 29, 2025 through November 12, 2025 . This position remains open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.
Contact Information jobs@sjsu.edu | 408‑924‑2252
Equal Employment Statement San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self‑disclose.
#J-18808-Ljbffr