Executive Director of Planned Giving

New Jersey Institute of Technology; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

New Jersey Institute of Technology seeks an Executive Director of Planned Giving to lead frontline fundraising for gifts of $25,000+. You will manage a high-value portfolio of alumni, corporate leaders, foundations, and friends to secure six- and seven-figure commitments in support of NJIT's priorities.

You will partner with deans and leadership to shape fundraising strategy, craft proposals, and provide strategic donor briefings, while collaborating across Advancement to advance NJIT's mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, preferably in higher education.
• Proven track record of closing six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Ability to travel and work evenings/weekends as required.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage a portfolio of ~125 major and principal gift prospects.
• Conduct at least 144 prospect and donor meetings annually.
• Complete a minimum of 30 major gift solicitations or proposals annually, securing $1M+ in commitments.
• Draft compelling proposals and donor communications.
• Prepare strategic donor briefings for senior leadership.
• Collaborate with deans and unit leadership to align fundraising with academic priorities.

Skills

Fundraising

Major gifts

Portfolio management

Donor meetings

Proposal drafting

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Raiser's Edge NXT

Job description

Title

Executive Director of Planned 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 Senior Vice President of University Advancement, the Executive Director of Planned Giving serves as a senior frontline fundraiser responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts of $25,000+ in support of institutional priorities.

The Executive Director of Planned Giving will manage a portfolio of high-value prospects and donors, including alumni, corporate leaders, foundations, and friends of the university, with the goal of securing six- and seven-figure commitments that advance NJIT's mission and strategic priorities.

The Executive Director of Planned Giving will partner closely with academic deans, university leadership, faculty, and colleagues across Advancement to provide strategic direction for fundraising in the assigned college, school, or unit, while also contributing to the overall success of NJIT's comprehensive fundraising efforts.

Essential Functions

• Independently manage a portfolio of ~125 major and principal gift prospects through all phases of the donor cycle.
• Conduct at least 144 prospect and donor meetings annually (12 per month) to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects.
• Complete a minimum of 30 major and principal gift-level solicitations or proposals annually, resulting in at least $1 million in new commitments per year.
• Draft compelling proposals and related donor communications that clearly articulate the case for support.
• Prepare strategic donor briefings for the President, Provost, deans, and senior leadership, as appropriate.
• Build and sustain long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between donors and NJIT.
• Partner with deans and unit leadership to align fundraising with academic priorities, including advisory board engagement and related advancement activities.
• Recommend appropriate gift opportunities and vehicles to prospective donors.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues across campus to identify opportunities, coordinate strategies, and share best practices.
• Serve as the primary Advancement liaison to the assigned college/unit.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of NJIT's mission, programs, and strategic fundraising priorities.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Prerequisite Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
  Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, preferably in higher education, with a record of closing six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Commitment to the mission, vision, and goals of a leading public polytechnic university.
• Exceptional written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of advancement and major gift strategies.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with the philanthropic landscape of northern New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with Raiser's Edge NXT or similar CRM system.
• Willingness to travel and work evenings/weekends as required.

Department

University Advancement

Compensation

$120,000 - $140,000

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 -9

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. To learn more about the comprehensive benefits NJIT offers for this position, please visit our benefits page: https://hr.njit.edu/health-benefits.

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.

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.