Director-Gift Planning

The Claremont Colleges Services; United States; On-site; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Claremont Colleges Services is seeking a Director of Gift Planning in Claremont, CA. This full-time role involves leading a program that educates donors about planned giving while managing a portfolio of prospects.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree, significant fundraising experience, and strong interpersonal, communication, and planning skills. The salary range is $130,000–$140,000 annually based on qualifications.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of successful fundraising experience in planned giving or major gifts preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.

Responsibilities

• Direct a program educating about planned giving opportunities.
• Market and expand a gift-planning program.
• Manage a portfolio of 150-250 prospects.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Interpersonal skills

Marketing skills

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Title: Director of Gift Planning – Claremont, CA

Responsibilities

• Program Education: Direct a program that educates donors, trustees, volunteers, and advancement colleagues about the benefits of planned giving; provide technical expertise to build and maximize planned giving opportunities; organize financial‑planning seminars for alumnae events nationwide and during reunion weekends; conduct educational programs for parents, volunteers, and trustees at regional chats and campus events.
• Program Marketing: Enhance, expand, and market a comprehensive gift‑planning program aimed at securing leadership and planned gifts from alumnae, friends, faculty, parents/families, trustees, and staff; implement a marketing and communications plan that includes direct mail, print, and electronic media.
• Gift Solicitation: Collaborate with college leadership, fundraisers, and volunteers to devise solicitation strategies; assist colleagues and donors in finalizing planned gifts; identify, cultivate, educate, and solicit major prospects for gift planning; provide training and orientations for use of planned‑giving vehicles; prepare planned‑giving proposals and work with donors’ financial and legal advisers to close gifts.
• Giving Society Management: Enhance and expand membership in the Elm Tree Society; develop annual cultivation and stewardship plans for donors.
• Industry Trends and Changes: Provide leadership by staying current on gift‑planning trends, techniques, and opportunities; maintain knowledge of tax‑law changes to maximize giving; provide technical training and assistance to development staff.
• Planned Giving Portfolio Management: Manage a portfolio of 150‑250 prospects; develop engagement, solicitation, and stewardship plans; conduct a national portfolio with approximately 120 visits annually; log outreach and contacts in the database; collaborate with Development Officers to meet overall fundraising goals.
• Supervisory Responsibility: Directly supervise the Gift Planning Coordinator and a temporary campaign gift‑planning officer.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent combination of education and experience; training in legal/financial planning is a plus.
• Five or more years of successful fundraising experience in planned giving or major gifts, or equivalent leadership fundraising experience preferred.
• Significant experience in an educational institution strongly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, listening, writing, oral communication, critical‑thinking, and marketing skills.
• Ability to communicate highly technical information in a user‑friendly fashion to collegiate constituents.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and plan, execute, and market a sustained gift‑planning program.
• Demonstrated interest in women’s philanthropy and liberal‑arts education.

Employment Terms & Compensation

Full‑time, 12‑month, benefits‑eligible, exempt. Regular hours Monday‑Friday 8:00am–5:00pm (hours may vary). Salary range $130,000–$140,000 annualized; final salary based on experience, education, specialty, and training.

Physical & Mental Requirements

• Maintain concentration and attention to detail with emphasis on accuracy.
• Seated work for extended periods; standing for extended periods.
• Reach and extend arm(s) in any direction; finger dexterity required to manipulate objects.
• Use spoken communication and see/hear within normal parameters.
• Lifting and carrying short distances up to 20lbs.

Employment Status

At‑Will Employment: Regular employment is for no specified period; conditions and status of employment (hours, pay, title, duties, etc.) are subject to change at any time.