Position Title: Senior Director, Planned Giving

Department: Advancement

Classification: Regular, Full Time, Exempt

Reports to: Chief Development Officer

Location: Burbank, CA and/or Costa Mesa, CA (Hybrid)

Compensation: $135,000-145,000/Annually

Work with Purpose!

PBS SoCal is looking for an experienced advancement professional to join our organization. If you have a passion for fundraising and a strong interest in Public Media, then submit your cover letter and resume today!

About PBS SoCal

PBS SoCal tells stories that matter through original programs that reflect the diversity of the region and the full schedule of trusted PBS SoCal programs. Our content channels are available for free on internet-connected screens, including six local broadcast channels.

A donor-supported community institution, PBS SoCal sparks the sharing of ideas at in-person cultural events and community conversations as well as delivers social impact through services that prepare our most vulnerable children for school.

Job Overview

The Senior Director, Planned Giving will play an integral role in securing and increasing philanthropic support for the mission and strategic priorities of PBS SoCal. An experienced advancement professional, the Senior Director, Planned Giving will lead the planned giving team and is a strategic and critical partner to the Chief Development Officer (CDO). The Senior Director, Planned Giving will work to build and grow the planned giving program, manage a portfolio of 110-125 prospects and current donors at various stages of the giving cycle, and develop and strengthen relationships with prospects and donors.

The Senior Director, Planned Giving will serve as the department’s expert on traditional planned gift instruments and blended gifts, and is a dynamic and engaging fundraiser skilled at matching donors’ interests and passions to the needs of the organization. Working closely with the CDO and other members of the team, the Senior Director, Planned Giving will create and execute a comprehensive charitable services program emphasizing donor and professional advisor engagement, education, and quality stewardship. Frequent travel to various regions across Southern California is a requirement for this position.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

50% Donor Management 

• Manage, cultivate, and solicit a portfolio of 110-125 prospects
• Achieve annual performance metrics and funding goals – to be set each year
• Partner with department leadership to create stewardship goals and plans 
• Create donor correspondence, briefings, proposals, updates, and other donor communications that reflect and align with fundraising strategies
• Prepare gift agreements, as well as documents to establish charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, and other forms of planned gifts
• Document donor contacts (e.g. visits, calls, emails, and mailings) in the constituent management system following established protocols and provide timely follow-up after meetings
• Provide regular updates on prospect management, portfolio progress, and fundraising results; utilize data to inform decision-making
• Participate in major donor events throughout Southern California
• Actively participate in strategy sessions and help inform colleagues planned gift strategies
• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with colleagues across the organization; strategize and collaborate with internal colleagues and external professional advisors to support PBS SoCal’s planned giving efforts 
• Research and acts as a central source to donors, development officers, and outside professionals of information concerning complex gifting techniques and tax issues, such as charitable gift annuities, donor-advised funds, charitable remainder trusts, revocable gifts made through living trusts, estate planning instruments, current tax legislation
• Use specialized gift planning knowledge to evaluate donors’ financial situations and goals to recommend optimal gifting options

30% Leadership

• Lead the gift planning team, providing strategic direction, guidance and supervision
• In conjunction with the CDO, create and implement a comprehensive gift planning program, expand legacy giving and endowment
• Partner with advancement and organizational leadership to set departmental fundraising goals
• Serve as the department expert on blended gifts; partner with major gift officers - as needed
• Cultivate relationships with the professional advisor community (attorneys, wealth advisors, accountants, trust officers, life underwriters, etc.) to build their understanding of PBS SoCal, develop charitable giving strategies, and obtain referrals
• Ensure that all gifts, gift policies, and fund agreements comply with federal and state law

20% Administration 

• Actively pursue professional learning and growth regarding PBS SoCal and the PBS system, as well as emerging trends in public media, fundraising, gift planning, and donor relations 
• Educate gift officers on issues surrounding planned and other major gifting techniques and developments
• Participate in professional organizations and maintain visibility in the local planned giving community
• Commitment to acquire and maintain a high level of planned giving technical proficiency; keep up to date on developments in philanthropy, laws, and regulations about charitable planning 
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• 7 years of planned giving or fundraising experience and/or experience with trusts and estates, tax, accounting, financial planning, or wealth management with increasing levels of responsibility
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and advance relationships strategically and proactively, resulting in six and seven-figure gifts
• Knowledge of various planned giving vehicles and expertise with financial planning techniques and related tax laws
• Proven success in relationship-building, charitable gift planning, persuasive presentations, project management, and working effectively in teams.
• Must possess a high degree of initiative, curiosity, and empathy 
• 3-5 years of management experience
• Must be able to deal with a diverse population and handle confidential materials with discretion 
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact and work with diverse individuals and groups at all organizational levels, both internal and external to the organization
• Ability to travel throughout Southern California (occasional evening and weekend work required)
• Familiarity with standard office productivity software (e.g. Microsoft Office and 365 programs and products), including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams
• Demonstrated passion for the importance, urgency, exclusivity, and power of Public Media to improve lives in Southern California communities
• Maintain compliance with the PBS SoCal and AFP ethics and standards

Preferred Qualifications:

• An MBA, JD degree, and/or a CPA 
• CSPG or CAP credential
• 10 years working in a gift planning capacity, preferably within a complex philanthropic organization
• Experience working with board members
• Familiarity and experience with the greater Southern California philanthropic community
• Experience should include capital and planned giving solicitation; training in aspects of charitable gift planning, including tax and inheritance law 
• Proficiency with constituent management and fundraising software; Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT experience 

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, it is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is also required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

The working conditions are primarily in a general office or home setting. However, the position will require off-site travel to donors and local community partners as necessary. Depending on the position, job duties, and subject to the discretion of the company, the position may be telecommuting eligible in whole or part (Please see the telecommuting policy and telecommuting agreement for additional information concerning telecommuting terms and work environment.)

Equal Opportunity Employer

PBS SoCal provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.