Director of Strategic Gift Planning

The Chicago Community Trust; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 143,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chicago Community Trust seeks a Director of Gift Planning in Chicago to design and implement strategies engaging professional advisors for client philanthropy. The role handles complex gifts and donor contacts, including bequests and life-income gifts.

You will identify prospects, collaborate on gift structures with Finance and Investments, contribute to strategy and education, and represent the Trust at events and in publications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (Juris Doctor strongly preferred)
• Seven years of charitable gift planning, estate planning, tax planning, or financial planning experience with charitable or for-profit institutions
• Deep knowledge of the legal and tax laws related to nonprofits and charitable giving
• Deep understanding of the investment management principles of charitable assets
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present complex topics effectively to small and large audiences
• A self-starter who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment
• Adherence to the highest ethical standards, an optimistic and positive attitude, and an ability to cultivate relationships with professional advisors, prospects, and donors.
• An interest in collaborating with colleagues and external stakeholders, when necessary
• Excellent organizational skills
• Knowledge of the philanthropic climate in Chicago preferred
• Ability to travel
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite, Salesforce, and PG Calc

Responsibilities

• Identifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards relationships with professional advisors and financial services firms to engage the Trust to serve their clients’ philanthropy
• Collaborates with the Finance Team to structure complex gifts and new fund agreements
• Collaborates with the Director of Investments to structure investment advisor managed accounts, including the creation of investment policy statements
• Supports the professional advisory sector marketing strategy through content development, sponsorship support, thought leadership and external presentations to firms and associations
• Writes about gift planning topics for internal and external publications, including tax and legal journals and white papers
• Speaks at conferences and seminars about charitable gift planning topics
• Speaks to professional advisory firms about the Trust’s gift planning services
• Maintains knowledge of current tax laws and investment issues
• Committee and project participation as assigned

Job description

The Chicago Community Trust seeks a Director of Gift Planning in Chicago to design and implement strategies engaging professional advisors for client philanthropy. The role handles complex gifts and donor contacts, including bequests and life-income gifts.

You will identify prospects, collaborate on gift structures with Finance and Investments, contribute to strategy and education, and represent the Trust at events and in publications.