Director of Gift Planning

The Director of Gift Planning is responsible for developing and advancing the gift planning program at UNC through strategic donor engagement, including identification and cultivation of prospects, personalized solicitations and stewardship of legacy donors, as well as through collaborative guidance of the entire development team in the development and execution of gift planning strategies. This position focuses their gift planning efforts on developing strategies for growing the planned giving pipeline, working with planned giving prospects/donors, collaborating with development team members to plan for prospect solicitations and serving as the divisional specialist in gift planning. They carry out these responsibilities on behalf of university-wide program(s), including academic and non-academic initiatives, and overall university priorities.

This position reports to the Assistant Vice President for Development and is a member of the centralized Development Team within the Division of University Advancement. This individual must foster inclusivity while working closely and collaboratively with all development, advancement services, annual giving, alumni and foundation staff members to ensure that philanthropic relationships, communications, events and solicitations are donor centric in order to maximize support of UNC. This individual also works closely and coordinates with university-wide administration, marketing and communications teams, and faculty and support staff to ensure that they are appropriately informed and engaged in development activities.

Job Duties:

Proactively manages a portfolio of qualified major gift level planned giving prospects that moves prospects through the donor engagement process in support of university priorities. Time spent: 50%

• Meets fundraising performance metrics established with supervisor on an annual basis.
• Metrics include but are not limited to substantive visits, qualification visits, legacy gift solicitations and total dollars solicited
• Develops effective plans and compelling proposals to secure planned, major and blended gifts from assigned prospects.
• Solicits identified prospects for planned, major and blended gifts for the university, preparing written and oral presentations that address the donor’s philanthropic interests and university and/or unit priorities.
• Visits identified prospects for the purpose of assessing the capacity and willingness to make a planned, major or blended gift.
• Documents completed and anticipated moves with prospects in alumni/development database in a timely and accurate way.
• Creates and implements effective stewardship activities working in collaboration with the donor relations coordinator.
• Works closely with the prospect researcher to ensure that assigned prospects and donors have well-documented and comprehensive records and that their portfolio is accurate and up-to-date; responds to referrals of planned gift prospects from the prospect researcher and other sources in a timely manner.

• Develops and supports the execution of a consistent, actionable and strategic multi-channel communication and marketing plan to raise awareness of planned giving opportunities and increase Fraiser Society membership.
• Serves as the divisional specialist for gift planning.
• Regularly partners with and educates development colleagues on various gift planning trends, vehicles and donor-specific opportunities.
• In collaboration with development leadership, works to continually evaluate, improve and implement gift planning policies and practices to stay current on technical developments in industry practices.
• Routinely collaborates with Donor Relations Coordinator on Frasier Society stewardship. efforts.
• Works closely with prospect researcher, development leadership and advancement services to support the evaluation of planned giving prospect identification.
• Works with volunteers, academic leadership and development colleagues to establish a network to assist in identification and cultivation of planned giving prospects.

Fosters an environment for successful fundraising by preparing campus partners to participate effectively and appropriately in development activities and prospect meetings. Time spent: 10%

Models behavior that demonstrates positive and respectful engagement and an approach that emphasizes action for the good of the university as a whole.

Participates actively in team, divisional and campus meetings. Time spent: 5%

Works effectively and collaboratively with appropriate divisional colleagues on the execution of gift agreements, creation of endowed/spendable funds and receipting and stewarding of gifts.

Follows university and development policies and procedures.

Participates in ongoing enhancement of fundraising skills through professional training. Time spent: 5%

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Minimum of five years of fund-raising experience, preferably in higher education, with demonstrated success in closing complex planned gifts.

Preference for estate planning certification such as Charitable Gift Planning Associate (CGPA), Charitable Gift Planning Professional (CGPP), or equivalent certification.

Abilities:

• Documented success in personally implementing sophisticated, multi-year cultivation strategies that use a relationship-building and moves management approach leading to successful gift closure.
• Demonstrate knowledge of planned giving vehicles, estate planning, and tax law.
• Ability to achieve financial goals and performance metrics.
• Ability to forge strong working relationships with others and a capacity for engaging confidence and trust among internal and external constituents.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to university business and confidential prospect information.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person, writing, and by phone.
• Willingness and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• High motivation for success coupled with diplomacy, inclusivity, tact, and consistent follow-through.
• Strong analytical, organizational and strategic planning skills with ability to handle multiple projects.
• Able to secure meetings and qualify new prospects.
• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.
• Ability to prepare complex and detailed proposals and related materials.
• Attention to detail and thoroughness in completing assigned duties.
• Demonstrable experience in developing stewardship plans leading to additional investments.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate the value of a UNC education and represent the institution well.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfort working in donor/prospect computer database systems.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

Benefits:
Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.

About UNC
The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC’s commitment to education began in 1889 and continues to be a transformational force for our students. According to CollegeNet’s Social Mobility Index, UNC ranked #1 in social mobility (2022). UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC’s Career Hub,to learn more about UNC’s strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
The University of Northern Colorado believes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is the pathway to achieving an inclusive community and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. UNC supports the growth of individuals who care about race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion, or physical ability – to honor the intersectionality of our campus. Please visit UNC’s Career Hub to learn more about UNC’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

AAEO Employer
The University of Northern Colorado is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer that is committed to a culturally diverse staff, faculty, and student body.

The University will not engage in unlawful discrimination in employment or educational services against any person because of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Veteran status and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is the University’s policy to prohibit discrimination in employment or educational services on the basis of sexual orientation or political affiliation. The University will likewise take affirmative action to ensure that student applicants and enrolled students are treated during the enrollment at the University without regard to race, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. Such affirmative action shall include, but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff, retirement, or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship. Furthermore, the University will post in conspicuous places, notice setting forth the provisions of this University’s Equal Opportunity Policy.

Federal regulations require that the University of Northern Colorado retain all documents submitted by applicants. Materials will not be returned or copied for applicants.

Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire.

This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado.

Clery Act
In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.