Senior Director of the Office of Gift Planning
Deadline: 01-14-2018
Job No.: 477498
Department: University Advancement
Type: Administrative Professional Supervisor
Salary Range: Negotiable
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Description
Michigan State University is seeking an enthusiastic, energetic and results-oriented individual with a deep understanding of gift planning, to join its dynamic fundraising team as the Senior Director of the Office of Gift Planning. This position will play a leadership role in increasing at Michigan State University the number of donors with sophisticated gift plans and the level of their charitable commitments in concert and coordination with development/advancement colleagues and university leadership. The Senior Director will set the tone, vision and strategy for the Office of Gift Planning in the organization and implementation of a comprehensive gift planning program. The Senior Director of Gift Planning will exercise functional and administrative supervision over gift planning professional staff, fundraising staff and/or support staff as assigned.
The Senior Director of Gift Planning will be an accomplished, responsive and collaborative member of the Individual Giving team and the broader MSU University Advancement Team. The Senior Director will be responsible for executing an aggressive schedule of donor activity to ensure a continuous pipeline of private future and current support for Michigan State University. The successful candidate will model and disseminate effective donor-centric fundraising techniques, and will play a central role coordinating and coaching fundraisers and donors—and donors’ attorneys, accountants, and financial planners—through complex transactions. The best candidate will be proficient in major gift fundraising, and in technical areas such as estate and wealth planning, tax, illiquid or hard to value assets, complex charitable giving vehicles and structures, and the financial and personal issues affecting wealthy families.
The Senior Director of Gift Planning will manage a portfolio of between 100-120 principal, major and/or gift planning prospects. The Senior Director will average between 10-15 strategic personal meetings and conversations per month, which will result in greater engagement and movement toward solicitation. The Senior Director will report to the Executive Director of Individual Giving, while still serving as a key resource and consultant to the entire University Advancement leadership team regarding gift planning and prospect/donor strategy.
Qualifications
Required: Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four year college degree program in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business or a Bachelor’s degree in other fields; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive experience in professional fundraising, trust administration, wealth management, marketing or related field; possess a working knowledge of tax laws governing charitable giving and charitable estate planning; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; three to five years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired: An advanced degree preferred; fundraising experience at an institution of higher learning; demonstrated excellent writing and verbal communication skills; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to speak in public and small group environment; collaborative and team oriented work style; strong work ethic; experience with “Moves Management” or related strategic relationship development techniques and practices; ability to “close” current and future gifts and/or business deals; working knowledge of tax laws affecting bequests, split income gifts, current giving, charitable and general estate planning; travel involving automobile, airlines and rail; must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
How to apply
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Pat Karam at karampat@msu.edu
All candidates must submit an application and resume through the Careers @ MSU website. The URL for this website is www.careers.msu.edu. Please indicate the position number 477498 when submitting your application.
Screening of applicants will continue until the position is filled.
MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.
MSU is committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. The University actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities.