Executive Director of Planned Giving

Join to apply for the Executive Director of Planned Giving role at Santa Clara UniversityPosition Title: Executive Director of Planned GivingPosition Type: RegularHiring Range: $144,500.00 - $180,617.00; commensurate with experience.Pay Frequency: AnnualOverviewAs a key part of the overall effort to enhance the resources, reputation, and relationships of Santa Clara University, the Executive Director of Planned Giving (EDPG) has a leadership role in a high-performing frontline fundraising program. As we enter the early stages of the next comprehensive campaign, the University seeks to attract a talented and inspirational leader for our Planned Giving unit within Individual Giving of University Relations. The EDPG is responsible for directing the planning, management, coordination, and evaluation of the comprehensive Gift Planning Program within University Relations, including staffing, budgeting, marketing, reporting, and oversight of the program. The EDPG will lead and manage a team of Gift Planning Officers, charged with managing relationships and securing philanthropic support from donors capable of making gifts of $100,000-$1,999,999 and above. Santa Clara University’s Planned Giving Program provides strategic leadership in the planning and execution of tax-wise gifts, including outright gifts, real estate, trusts, and all forms of deferred giving (estate planning, bequests, and other life income gifts). Planned gifts at the University represent 25% or more of overall dollars raised annually.ResponsibilitiesEstablish and oversee annual and long-term objectives for the Planned Giving program, executing on these plans to meet financial goals and University priorities.Plan and implement a comprehensive program for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of deferred gifts to Santa Clara University.Prepare annual department operating plan, goals, budget, program direction, and policy development, consistently monitoring and reporting.Provide leadership and direct management for a team of Planned Giving Officers, integrating their efforts across campus and directing their activities and strategies to secure gifts in the $100,000 to $1,999,999+ range in support of the University’s strategic priorities. Establish performance metrics for Planned Giving Officers, in concert with University Relations leadership, and foster a culture of accountability. Ensure active and effective strategies are in place for all assigned prospects, including timely and accurate use of the CLARA fundraising database. Co-manage and provide direction to a shared Development Operations Manager, who will deliver essential operational and administrative support. Personally develop, lead, and manage the strategy for a portfolio of gift planning donors and prospects, setting and meeting ambitious goals to lead by example in fundraising. The EDPG personal annual fundraising goal is typically in the $3,000,000-$7,000,000 range.Manage, staff, and recruit an advisory volunteer group of industry professionals on the Planned Giving Advisory Council, cultivating relationships with attorneys, accountants, financial planners, bank trust officers, chartered life underwriters and other professional advisors.Develop and oversee a comprehensive marketing program for planned giving opportunities. Consult with University Marketing and Communications to prioritize and implement a planned gift marketing communications program including web content, social media, brochures, video content, newsletters, letters, advertisements, and targeted articles.Oversee all aspects of the Thomas I. Bergin Legacy Society and ensure effective donor relations (stewardship) and growth and welcoming of new members. Partner with Donor Relations to present the annual Thomas I. Bergin Legacy Society recognition event(s) and ensure excellent donor stewardship.Participate as a leadership committee member of relevant events and initiatives to increase legacy gifts and new members to the Thomas I. Bergin Legacy Society; coordinate with Alumni Relations and other offices as needed.Oversee reporting of all planned gift activity, results, expectancies, and annual planning for accuracy and strategic significance, and to ensure seamless reporting and gift distributions to donors. Regularly report to the AVP on personal fundraising performance and that of the team, including future projections.Coordinate activities on legal and financial issues with the University Finance Office, the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the Office of the General Counsel, and the Vice President of University Relations to protect the donor and ensure compliance with regulations and policies; integrate the work of trust managers, Kaspick & Company.Oversee all aspects of estate administration for the University, including managing an expectancy report and tracking/receiving realized gifts.Educate, advise, and support development officers and others as they work with donors on planned gifts; present and support professional development opportunities for development officers.Partner with the AVP and Prospect Management and Analytics to identify and approve prospects, oversee portfolios, and support campus-wide adherence to the Prospect Management process.Provide gift illustrations for various gift vehicles, review of trust documents, and work with donors’ advisors and trust administrators.Maintain current knowledge of legal, tax, technical, and financial developments in estate planning and charitable donations; serve as a university resource.Provide leadership and best practices to gift acceptance policies and procedures, and introduce new gift opportunities.Work with Gift Processing to ensure gifts are accurately recorded in the CLARA database; approve planned gifts and improve reports and documentation.Prepare gift agreements and documents for charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, and other forms of planned gifts.Promote a healthy, diverse, inclusive work environment and collaborate with donors, volunteer groups, and coworkers.Other duties as assigned.QualificationsBachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (JD is noted).Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience with extensive experience in gift planning, including 5-7 years in direct development, fundraising, marketing, strategic planning, and coordinating events, preferably in higher education.Preference for CAP, CFP, CFRE, and other advanced certifications in gift structuring or estate giving.Supervisory and management experience required.Knowledge of gift planning vehicles, tax regulations, and charitable estate planning laws; experience with real estate, securities, and non-cash gifts.Excellent written and oral communication, organization, and presentation skills.Ability to manage people, work with volunteers, and develop strategies to achieve goals; ability to travel as needed.Understanding of Jesuit Catholic educational mission.Proficiency with fundraising databases and software; willingness to learn new tools.Physical Demands and Work EnvironmentConsiderable time spent at a desk using a computer and phone; frequent travel to meetings with constituents; travel to campus buildings; off-campus meetings.Typical office environment with shared spaces; ability to work remotely or in a hybrid model.EEO Statement Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. See SCU title IX policies at Title IX information is available at Clery Act information is available at the Campus Safety Services website; contact Campus Safety for a paper copy. The university complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act; accommodations are available via the Department of Human Resources at 408-554-5750.Telecommute Santa Clara University is registered to do business in certain states; telecommuting employees must work within those states.Seniority level: ExecutiveEmployment type: Full-timeJob function: Other | Industries: Higher Education #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-28