Gift Planning Director — Major Bequests & Life Income

University of California-Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley is seeking an Associate Director for the Office of Gift Planning to design, develop, deliver, and administer fundraising programs. This role acts as a technical expert and solicits bequests and life income gifts while managing a prospect portfolio and closing substantial commitments annually.

You will work with campus units and UDAR colleagues to craft strategies, write proposals, and coordinate stewardship after gifts.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience demonstrating expert knowledge of all aspects of gift planning fundraising, donor and public relations specifically including complex planned gifts ranging from bequests to charitable remainder trusts.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience applying knowledge involving all aspects and issues associated with a large complex organization. Expert knowledge of and/or ability to learn the location, including its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements and infrastructure.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience utilizing skills and expertise to meet or exceed stated fundraising goals and objectives while maintaining up-to-date records such as contact reports in the university's fundraising database as well as current communications/ proposals in OGP's internal files.
• Expert knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
• Expert written and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies. Expert skills in making persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives for a location in order to secure gifts.
• Expert organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills, problem recognition/avoidance/resolution skills. Expert project/program management skills, including skills in setting and meeting program/project goals and objectives within budget and time constraints.
• Expert level skills in maintaining confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Gift Planning Fundraising and Solicitation - 50%
• Develops, creates, writes, implements, and / or evaluates individualized solicitation plans and / or strategies for cultivation and solicitation of gift planning prospects.
• Work with assigned campus units and appropriate UDAR units to create prospect and donor strategies and proposals; implement these strategies working collaboratively with the unit-based fundraisers and appropriate UDAR colleagues, including stewardship after the gift has closed.
• Writes complex proposals for solicitation of highly rated individuals. Qualify gift planning prospects and solicit gifts directly. Must close a minimum dollar amount in life income/outright gifts and a minimum dollar amount in bequest commitments annually as agreed upon annually with their supervisor during the goal setting process of their year-end Achieve Together conversation.
• Gift Planning Program Management and Collaboration - 25%
• Manages a portfolio of donor prospects that may include the most influential, complex or highest capacity-rated donors. May participate in solicitation of gift planning prospects with senior campus leadership including the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor.
• Presents formal fundraising proposals, using specialized software for life income gifts, to gift planning donors and prospects or prepares senior management for the presentation of proposals.
• Serves as a resource for gift planning expertise, interacting with prospects, donors, staff, and outside professionals to provide information, advice and counsel regarding assigned specialized program(s). May oversee the work of professional and support staff.
• In consultation with OGP leadership, provide technical training sessions to UDAR and other campus unit colleagues on an ongoing basis regarding life income gifts, complex assets, and bequests.
• Strategic Gift Planning and Implementation - 20%
• Ensures that predetermined gift planning fundraising goals are met and designs and implements program activities to achieve these goals.
• Implement strategic decisions and plans regarding OGPs fundraising enterprise, whereby results have a major impact on the overall goals of the Office of Gift Planning philanthropic efforts and fundraising program.

Skills

Gift planning

Donor relations

Proposal writing

Strategic fundraising

Public relations

Presentation skills

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree (Required)

J.D./M.B.A./Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (Preferred)

Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy / Paralegal studies (Preferred)

Job description

University of California, Berkeley is seeking an Associate Director for the Office of Gift Planning to design, develop, deliver, and administer fundraising programs. This role acts as a technical expert and solicits bequests and life income gifts while managing a prospect portfolio and closing substantial commitments annually.

You will work with campus units and UDAR colleagues to craft strategies, write proposals, and coordinate stewardship after gifts.