Director, Planned Giving

C001 New Jersey Institute of Technology; New Jersey; On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is hiring a Director of Planned Giving in the Leadership & Plan Giving area to lead the comprehensive planned giving program. You will set goals, educate and solicit donors, and manage a portfolio of planned gifts and major gifts with independence and strategic thinking.

You will coordinate marketing initiatives, work with vendors and internal teams, and guide staff on best practices in planned giving, including tax and estate planning considerations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; a law degree or other advanced degree preferred.
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in the advancement field, preferably higher education, with a track record of major gifts.
• Knowledge of constituent relations and fundraising for higher education, with expertise in planned giving.
• Ability to design and evaluate a comprehensive planned giving program with annual operating plans.
• Exceptional writing, speaking, interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Familiarity with charitable tax law, finance, and estate planning techniques.
• Experience collaborating with estate and financial planning professionals.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, educate, solicit, and steward prospects for planned, estate, and outright gifts.
• Develop and expand a portfolio of qualified planned giving prospects and select major gift prospects.
• Develop formal proposals for prospective donors, including illustrations of planned gifts.
• Establish annual dollar, visit, and solicitation goals for planned giving.
• Manage marketing initiatives with vendors to raise awareness of planned gifts.
• Maintain expertise on state and federal taxes, gift and estate techniques.
• Work with Prospect Research and Major Gifts to uncover new prospects.
• Build relationships with estate and financial planning professionals.
• Collaborate with Alumni Engagement and Donor Engagement teams on cultivation activities.
• Coordinate planned giving website and publications, including donor stories and vendor management.
• Develop an annual plan to steward identified planned giving donors.
• Mentor staff on best-practice activities related to planned giving.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Donor relations

Proposal writing

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Pentera

PG Calc

Job description

Title: Director, Planned Giving Department: Leadership & Plan Giving Reports To: Associate Vice President, Planned Giving and Major Gifts

Position Summary:

The mission of NJIT’s Office of University Advancement is to cultivate understanding, engagement, and philanthropic support from the university’s key constituencies to secure the resources necessary to fulfill NJIT’s educational mission. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Major and Planned Giving, and exercising a high degree of strategic thinking, creativity, and independence, the Director of Planned Giving administers all aspects of NJIT’s comprehensive planned giving program, including strategic planning and assessment, marketing, and the management of a portfolio of planned giving prospects and donors.

Essential Functions:

• Identify, cultivate, educate, solicit, and steward prospects for planned, estate, and outright gifts in support of the university.
• Develop, manage, and expand his or her portfolio of qualified and active planned giving prospects as well as select major gift prospects.
• Develop formal proposals for prospective donors, including illustrations of planned gifts, and ensure that appropriate documentation for all planned gifts is developed and executed.
• In consultation with the Associate Vice President for Major and Planned Giving, establish annual dollar, visit, and solicitation goals for planned giving.
• Support and manage university’s planned giving vendor to produce, execute, and assess marketing initiatives to raise awareness of and interest in planned gifts, including informational and estate planning seminars, promotional pieces, targeted mailings and emails, and other initiatives.
• Maintain a high level of expertise regarding state and federal taxes, gift and estate giving methods and vehicles, and the legal aspects of planned giving.
• Work with the Prospect Research and Major Gifts teams to uncover new prospective donors and take an active role in educating them about planned giving opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with estate and financial planning professionals.
• Work with the Alumni Engagement and Donor Engagement teams to design and execute cultivation and stewardship activities and collateral events that support planned giving initiatives.
• Coordinate certain aspects of NJIT’s planned giving website and other planned giving publications, including donor stories and vendor management.
• Develop an annual plan to steward identified planned giving donors.
• Guide and mentor Development & Alumni Relations staff members on best-practice activities, strategies, programs, and priorities related to planned giving.

Prerequisite Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree required; a law degree or other advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of 5 to 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the advancement field, preferably in a higher education setting, including a documented record of success in soliciting and closing major gifts and planned gifts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of constituent relations and fundraising for higher education, with special expertise in planned giving.
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive program for planned giving, establishing goals and objectives that translate into annual operating plans.
• Exceptional writing, speaking, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Working knowledge of charitable tax law, finance, and estate planning techniques.
• Familiarity with marketing vendors such as Pentera or PG Calc.
• Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to: establish and maintain good working relationships with colleagues; facilitate multiple projects, make decisions, and meet deadlines; manage and motivate volunteers effectively and efficiently; and identify problems and develop creative, timely, and efficient solutions.

Position involves travel as well as ability to work evenings and weekends.

Compensation:

Compensation: $110,000-$130,000 At the university's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position. Range: Non-Aligned -10 NJIT considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. This pay range represents base pay only and excludes any additional items such as incentives, bonuses, or other items. FLSA: Exempt Time Type: Full time Pay Rate: Salary

Additional Information:

As an EEO employer NJIT is committed to building a diverse and inclusive teaching, research, and working environment and strongly encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women. Employment at NJIT is subject to the provisions of New Jersey First Act which mandates new employees, who are not NJ residents, to establish primary residence in New Jersey within one year of their appointment to certain positions. The law does not apply to any individual employed at NJIT on a temporary or per semester basis as a visiting or adjunct professor, teacher, lecturer, researcher or administrator. For more information on the act please click here. If special accommodations are needed in applying for a position, please visit the Department of Human Resources located in Fenster Hall, 5th Floor, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102 or call [phone]. If you have questions, please email the Human Resources Department at [e-mail]. Information regarding NJIT campus security, personal safety, and fire safety including topics such as, disciplinary procedures, crime prevention, NJIT Police law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, and crime statistics for the most recent three year period is available on the NJIT Department of Public Safety here. NJIT is an E-Verify employer and uses E-Verify to confirm work authorization of each new hire.

Company Culture

When you work at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), you become part of a dynamic and innovative community dedicated to advancing education, research, and technological excellence. Recognized as New Jersey’s premier public polytechnic university, NJIT serves a diverse population of over 12,000 students across six colleges and schools, offering a forward-thinking academic environment in the heart of Newark, just minutes from New York City. At NJIT, we are committed to fostering a workplace culture rooted in inclusion, collaboration, and excellence. Employees are empowered to grow professionally, contribute to meaningful work, and support a mission that shapes the future of technology, education, and research. Learn more about what we offer here!