Associate Director of Legacy Planning

Posting DetailsPosition Information Position Title Associate Director of Legacy Planning Position Type Regular Job Number SA76224 Full or Part Time full-time 40 hours weekly Fair Labor Standard Act Classification Exempt Anticipated Pay Range $100,000-$115,000 Pay Range Information Chapman University is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this position. This range takes into account a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate's qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity and other internal factors. The anticipated pay range is not a promise of a particular wage.Position Summary Information Job Description Summary Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Legacy Planning, the Associate Director of Legacy Planning focuses on using data analytics to identify prospective legacy donors, marketing legacy gifts, maintaining accurate legacy gift records, and stewarding current legacy donors, with special attention to those with legacy gifts of $500,000 or more. The Associate Director oversees the internal and external marketing of legacy gifts, including direct mail, electronic communication, and public presentations. Additionally, the Associate Director collaborates with key volunteers, University Advancement colleagues, and campus partners to advance new legacy gifts and steward existing legacy donors. The Associate Director works closely with the Advancement Systems team to maintain the integrity of gift reporting and legacy gift data in the central database. While this position does not carry direct fundraising goals or personal solicitation targets, the Associate Director plays a critical supporting role in the fundraising process and may participate in gift conversations with donors and prospective donors as a subject matter expert in legacy planning. This position works behind the scenes to support the Assistant Vice President of Legacy Planning in achieving fundraising goals set by the Vice President of Development.Responsibilities Fundraising Support and Prospect ManagementCollaborate to support the development and implementation of solicitation strategies for high-priority prospects managed by the Assistant Vice President of Legacy Planning.The Associate Director may participate in donor conversations to provide technical expertise, but is not expected to directly solicit gifts or hold individual fundraising goals. By nature of donor interactions, the Associate Director may still accept appropriate charitable gifts on behalf of the university.Support the ongoing development of proposals for the Assistant Vice President of Legacy Planning.For personalized stewardship, manage a select portfolio of up to 50-60 current legacy donors who have documented gifts of $500,000 or more. Their ongoing engagement may be tailored to include periodic phone calls, personal invitations and visits, and thoughtful correspondence.Partner with Gift Administration and Stewardship in providing quality donor stewardship on behalf of the Legacy Planning Office, such as reviewing and sending endowment reports to select donors, reviewing and providing guidance for Development Writers in drafting appropriate correspondence and donor recognition.Following solicitations by the Assistant Vice President of Legacy Planning and, when assigned, other front-line fundraisers working with legacy gifts, support the completion of the documentation of gifts, including charitable gift annuities and charitable trusts.Meet monthly stewardship contact goals, including monthly visits with activity reports that build institutional memory.As assigned, develop and support the implementation of individualized donor strategies and involve key volunteers and campus partners in major gift and legacy gift solicitations.Work with Advancement Systems and Prospect Research teams to mine data to identify top prospects for legacy and current gifts to be solicited by the Assistant Vice President of Legacy Planning or, when appropriate, other assigned relationship managers.Serve as legacy planning partner to development officers, both as a frontline partner and a behind-the-scenes resource, helping to increase competence regarding legacy gift conversations and vehicles, as needed.Coordinate engagement opportunities for existing legacy donors in university events and programs.Administration of Legacy GiftsDirect the charitable gift annuity program, including marketing gift annuities, managing the process of creating new gift annuities and closing gift annuities after donor(s)' lifetime(s), liaising with financial services and any outside institutions that manage the gift annuity investments and payouts.Coordinate with University Legal Counsel, Financial Services, and external advisors as appropriate to support compliance and risk mitigation; does not provide legal or tax advice to donors.Support annual communications to income beneficiaries of charitable trusts in which Chapman serves as trustee.Collaborate with appropriate school/college representatives and donor relations staff to support legacy gift activity, including the creation, review and distribution of annual legacy endowment reports.Track legacy gifts through the process of fulfillment after the lifetime of the donor.Develop and implement periodic stewardship touchpoints, including events, for current Charles C. Chapman Legacy Society members and other groups and individual donors.Manages legacy gift data, including input of new legacy gift commitments, connecting legacy opportunities and gifts, and coordinating with the Manager of Gift and Constituent Records and Financial Services to accurately apply received legacy assets.Marketing Legacy GiftsCollaborate with Strategic Marketing and Communications to design, proofread and produce print and digital marketing materials consistent with institutional branding.Travel when needed to represent the Legacy Planning Office.Facilitate public presentations on legacy giving and Chapman University for internal and external audiences.Work with Marketing & Public Affairs to create engaging articles and video vignettes spotlighting legacy donors with an objective of inspiring new legacy gifts.Manage online marketing efforts, including (but not limited to) social media, content for campus partner newsletters, and updates to the legacy planning website.Operations ManagementManage student workers, including daily tasks and responsibilities, scheduling hours and approving time sheets.Creates proposed annual budget for the review and approval of the Associate Vice President, Legacy Planning.Tracks expenses to ensure budget accuracyRequired Qualifications Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in education and experienceMinimum of five years of experience in development, with estate planning experience preferredDemonstrated understanding of the principles and practices of legacy planning and its role in developing and executing strategic fundraising strategies.Demonstrated ability to communicate persuasively, both orally and in writing.Strong writing skills to prepare clear and concise, grammatically correct business correspondence; strong editing and proofreading skillsExperience with the development of digital and print marketing materialsExperience in maintaining accurate records, including by utilizing a CRM database or other enterprise softwareStrong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with diverse individuals and groups at all organizational levels, both inside and outside of the university, and cultivate and maintain strong relationships with various constituents and donorsStrong organizational skills to plan, prioritize multiple projects, and simultaneously complete them in a timely manner.Ability to take initiative and exercise discretion and judgment.Ability to learn and comply with relevant University policies and procedures, as well as pertinent laws, rules, and regulations, including FERPA.Ability to utilize the internet as a research toolAbility to use tact and diplomacy and to maintain a high level of confidentialityAbility to use standard office equipment, including phone system, copier, fax, and calculatorBasic accounting knowledge and ability to perform arithmetic calculations such as add, subtract, multiply, divide and percentagesComputer skills in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, internet and electronic mail software, preferably of Microsoft Office Suite applicationsTechnical skills to learn and use enterprise softwareAbility to work independently and effectively as part of a teamKnowledge of development best practices from an administrative and operational perspectiveKnowledge of the field of legacy planningAbility to serve as a technical resource to fundraising staff for legacy gifts and other technical gifts.Desired Qualifications Certified Specialist in Planned Giving or other fundraising designationSpecial Instructions to Applicants Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.Minimum Number of ReferencesMaximum Number of References

Created: 2026-04-02