Associate Director Gift Planning

Tufts University Advancement seeks a dynamic, experienced professional to serve as Associate Director, Gift Planning.

Tufts University Advancement Division (UA) is a comprehensive development and alumni engagement enterprise with a staff complement of approximately 200 full-time employees. Units within UA include development/fundraising, alumni engagement, stewardship and donor relations, special events, gift processing, research and prospect management, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, and information systems and management. UA's mission is to build strong relationships with Tufts University's constituents, match donor interests with the University's needs and priorities, and secure the financial resources necessary for Tufts to achieve excellence in teaching, research and scholarship. UA is strongly committed to serving the academic agenda of the University and creating a culture of philanthropy in the extended Tufts community. Integrity, collegiality, diversity, accountability, mutual trust and respect for the individual, as well as the intentions of our donors, are the values that guide the work of the Division.

The Gift Planning Team

The Gift Planning Office is responsible for helping donors maximize their giving to Tufts and reach their philanthropic goals through financial, estate, and tax planning. The Gift Planning Office works with donors and their advisors to integrate their charitable interests into their estate plans and establish gifts that provide income in return. Examples of such gift vehicles include bequests, beneficiary gifts of retirement plans and life insurance policies, charitable gift annuities, and charitable remainder trusts. In addition, the team works with gifts of complex assets such as real estate, business interests, and art.

Under limited supervision, the Associate Director identifies, cultivates and solicits donors primarily to make significant planned gifts and also major and annual gifts. Works with donors and their advisors to integrate charitable interests in their estate plans. Collaborates with fundraising staff in schools and/or units in the institution.

Reporting to the Director, Gift Planning, the Associate Director is responsible for meeting fundraising goals and manages a portfolio of planned giving prospects and donors to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward supporters. They will also provide knowledge and expertise to the Division and collaborate with other development officers to solicit and accept current and future gifts. The Associate Director will also participate in efforts to expand the visibility of gift planning in reunion.

We are seeking a motivated and results-driven individual with experience identifying, soliciting and closing planned gifts, excellent written and oral communications skills, a customer-service orientation, and the ability to cultivate collegial and productive relationships with donors, their advisors, fellow gift officers, and internal partners across the university.

Please include a cover letter with your application.

Essential Functions

• Under limited supervision, provides advanced expertise as a gift planning officer and partner to development officers in assigned schools/units with a moderate portfolio of prospects.
• Identifies, qualifies, cultivates and solicits prospects including alumni, parents and friends of the university. Develops and manages existing relationships with high-capacity constituents.
• Responds to more complex inquiries from prospective donors and/or their legal/financial advisors by providing financial calculations, sample bequest language, etc.
• Develops more complex gift proposals and strategies utilizing appropriate charitable gift instruments and financial models to assist donors in achieving philanthropic goals.
• Develops and executes stewardship plans for donors and their gifts for assigned schools.
• Completes detailed documentation, contact, and summary reports for management.
• Participates in and leads special projects and initiatives.
• May train and mentor new staff and provide input into hiring decisions and performance reviews of gift planning staff with the manager.
• Develops and presents information and training sessions on gift planning for other advancement staff and volunteers.
• Consults with internal and external legal and financial advisors.

Basic Requirements:

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by a Bachelor's Degree and 5-7 years of work experience

Demonstrated track record and experience in gift or financial planning. Required Technical expertise in estate planning, tax law and/or real estate required