Associate Director – Gift Planning

Jobtailor; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University is seeking a donor relations professional to manage a defined caseload of planned-gift donors and prospects, developing personalized stewardship strategies that deepen donors' connection to Vanderbilt and the impact of their philanthropy.

You will collaborate with Gift Planning officers and other fundraisers, monitor donor relationships, and implement the stewardship program under the direction of the Executive Director.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 4+ years in development, donor relations, stewardship, alumni relations, or related fields.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to handle confidential donor information with discretion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Vanderbilt's VandyQuest system.
• Willingness to travel for donor visits and events.
• Experience with planned gifts or donor recognition programs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a defined caseload of planned-gift donors and prospects in cultivation and stewardship.
• Develop personalized cultivation and stewardship strategies for donors.
• Strengthen donor relationships and connect donors to Vanderbilt's impact.
• Participate in strategy sessions with Gift Planning officers and fundraisers.
• Monitor status and quality of donor relationships within the caseload.
• Implement a comprehensive stewardship strategy under direction of the Executive Director.
• Plan and execute Sarratt Society donor communications and events.
• Develop processes for consistent stewardship of planned-gift donors.
• Coordinate donor appreciation and stewardship materials.
• Collaborate with Gift Planning and other DAR colleagues.
• Develop individualized stewardship plans for high-level donors.
• Serve as a resource on stewardship best practices.
• Report to the Executive Director of Gift Planning.

Skills

Donor relations

Stewardship strategy

Project management

Interpersonal communication

VandyQuest proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

VandyQuest

Donor management systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Manage a defined caseload of planned-gift donors and prospects in cultivation and stewardship phases
• Develop personalized cultivation and stewardship strategies for planned-gift donors
• Strengthen donor relationships and deepen donors' connection to Vanderbilt and the impact of their philanthropy
• Participate in prospect and donor strategy sessions with Gift Planning officers and other fundraisers
• Monitor the status and quality of donor relationships within the caseload
• Implement a comprehensive stewardship strategy for planned-gift donors under the direction of the Executive Director
• Plan and execute Sarratt Society donor communications, recognition activities, events, webinars, special experiences, and other engagement opportunities
• Develop processes for consistent, efficient, and personalized stewardship of planned-gift donors
• Develop strategies to strengthen Sarratt Society membership value and member engagement
• Develop benchmarks and measures to assess stewardship effectiveness and recommend enhancements
• Coordinate donor appreciation and stewardship materials, including thank-you communications, recognition gifts, mailings, impact reports, and personalized touches
• Serve as a liaison between Gift Planning and Donor Engagement
• Collaborate with Gift Planning officers, Development Officers, Donor Engagement, Alumni Relations, Annual Giving, Major Gifts, and other DAR colleagues
• Develop individualized stewardship plans for high-level planned-gift donors
• Serve as a resource on stewardship best practices and engagement opportunities
• Report administratively and functionally to the Executive Director of Gift Planning

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• 4 or more years of relevant development, donor relations, stewardship, alumni relations, communications, or related experience
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, exercise sound judgment, and manage projects from concept through completion
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive donor information with discretion and professionalism
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Ability to use current computer technology, including Microsoft Office applications and Vanderbilt's donor management system, VandyQuest
• Willingness and ability to conduct personal donor outreach, including telephone calls, written correspondence, donor meetings, and follow-up
• Willingness to travel for donor visits, events, meetings, and other activities, including occasional evening and weekend commitments
• Driving is an essential job function; operating a motor vehicle is a regular and necessary part of the position, with an MVR check routinely conducted
• Preferred: experience in higher education development or advancement
• Preferred: experience working with planned gifts, planned-gift donors, or a planned-giving program
• Preferred: experience managing a donor caseload or portfolio
• Preferred: experience working with a donor recognition society or similar engagement program
• Preferred: knowledge of donor stewardship and engagement best practices
• Preferred: experience working collaboratively across a complex organization with multiple constituencies and stakeholders
• Preferred: familiarity with advancement databases and donor relationship management systems

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in donor relations and stewardship, with a focus on developing personalized strategies for planned-gift donors. Proficient in managing donor communications, engagement activities, and utilizing donor management systems to enhance relationships and assess stewardship effectiveness.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Donor Relations Management
• Stewardship Strategy Development
• Project Management
• Interpersonal Communication
• VandyQuest Proficiency

Hard Skills

• Donor Stewardship
• Planned-Gift Management
• Data Analysis
• Benchmark Development
• Event Planning

Soft Skills

• Attention to Detail
• Organizational Skills
• Initiative
• Judgment
• Confidentiality

Industry Keywords

• Higher Education Development
• Alumni Relations
• Philanthropy
• Donor Engagement
• Recognition Society

Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office
• VandyQuest
• Donor Management Systems