Planned Giving and Development Officer

Kenyon College is conducting a search to fill the newly-created position of Planned Giving and Development Officer for the development department within the Advancement Division. The successful candidate for this position will join a supportive, high-performing team, with opportunities to meaningfully contribute to the successes of Kenyon College.

The Our Path Forward to the Bicentennial campaign concluded June 30, 2024 as the most successful in College history, with philanthropy that transformed campus and the educational experiences of current and future students. A total of 22,886 people gave during the eight-year campaign, from students giving $1 to a record $100 million gift, for a grand total of $532,122,343.

In addition to the growth opportunities offered by these historic times, we offer excellent work-life balance through a flexible work environment with regular remote work possibilities. This position will report to the Senior Director of Major and Planned Giving.

Position Summary:

The Planned Giving and Development Officer is responsible for implementing strategies that help to secure planned gifts in support of College priorities, which may include estate gifts, life income gifts, or outright gifts of non-cash assets. This work will be accomplished by identifying, qualifying, cultivating and soliciting individual donors, while also providing technical support to other members of the development staff when called upon.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop meaningful and productive relationships with a portfolio of major and planned gift donors. This will require regular travel and occasional weekend work.
• Achieve an annual fundraising goal of $1 million from their portfolio of prospects and in collaboration with Advancement colleagues.
• Steward existing planned gift donors through regular communication, and in collaboration with Donor Relations, the Director of Donor Engagement, and the Assistant Director of Development.
• Maintain technical expertise in legal and financial issues related to charitable gift planning; assist the Senior Director of Major and Planned Giving in offering planned giving training throughout the Division.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate well verbally and in writing with donors, colleagues, and professional advisors.
• Ability to effectively develop relationships in support of College priorities, while also balancing the personal, financial, and legacy goals of our donors.
• Experience working collaboratively as part of a variety of teams of colleagues both within the Division and across campus to appropriately serve donors and the institution.
• Proven ability to work with a high degree of independence, maintain confidentiality, and manage time effectively.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree or professional certification preferred, plus two or more years of related experience
• Expertise in planned gift instruments achieved through previous fundraising experience or work experience in a related field such as law, accounting, finance, or banking
• Flexibility and willingness to travel as required to meet established goals
• Passion for the importance of higher education
• Current valid driver’s license and insurable under Kenyon’s liability policy

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a higher education setting or similarly complex environment

Note: This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Kenyon College is a nationally prominent, private liberal arts college where academic excellence goes hand in hand with a strong sense of community and close relationships among students and professors.

Compensation and Benefits

Salaries at Kenyon are competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition to an attractive salary, Kenyon offers benefits for employees and their family members. Children of employees are eligible for 100% tuition waivers at Kenyon, and through the Great Lakes Colleges Association, children of employees are eligible for 90% tuition waivers at nineteen other of the nation's finest liberal arts colleges.

We also offer health, dental and vision insurance, TIAA retirement, and many other benefits, including provisions for a spouse, families, and domestic partners. Details about benefits as well as conditions of employment are described more fully in our Staff Handbook.

Kenyon College is an equal opportunity employer and applications from members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. It is the College's policy to evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. Kenyon College has a strong commitment to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Please visit our Diversity at Kenyon website.