Gift Planning Officer
Bowdoin College
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, seeks a Gift Planning Officer to report to the Director of Gift Planning and drive the program’s strategy, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors for annual, capital and planned gifts.
The role builds long-term relationships, collaborates with other offices, coordinates marketing and events, and maintains expertise in complex gift arrangements; travel 20-25% is required and a strong commitment to liberal arts fundraising is essential.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- Excellent writing and speaking skills.
- Understanding philanthropy with liberal arts colleges and Bowdoin’s mission.
- Strong interpersonal, analytical, and organizational abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple programs independently in a team environment.
- Experience soliciting and closing gifts.
- Familiarity with development software such as Raiser’s Edge and PG Calc.
Responsibilities
- Develop and manage a personal caseload of ~120 prospects, cultivating and soliciting gifts.
- Travel 20-25% to engage donors for comprehensive support.
- Collaborate on annual strategic marketing and stewardship plans.
- Maintain expertise in complex planned gifts and discuss with donors and advisers.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Gift Planning Officer
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.
Gift Planning Officer
S01551JP
Gift Planning
The Gift Planning Officer will report to the Director of Gift Planning and work closely with the gift planning team on all aspects of the gift planning program. Responsibilities include: identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospective and existing donors, maximizing their annual, capital and planned gifts to the college; establishing long-term relationships with donors; marketing and communications; event and meeting planning; internal and external administrative duties; working in collaboration with other offices of development and relationship managers to meet Bowdoin’s fundraising objectives.
Initiates and executes development strategies for alumni, parents, and friends to secure support through comprehensive gift plans including, but not limited to, gifts of: bequests and beneficiary designations; life-income vehicles; real estate; personal property; life insurance; closely held stock; gifts-in-kind; as well as outright gifts of cash and stock. As a frontline fundraiser, develops, solicits, and stewards a personal caseload of approximately 120 prospects, and establishes and maintains long-term donor relationships with the College. Frequent travel to engage prospective and current donors in their comprehensive support of the College through annual, capital, and planned gifts. Collaborates with the gift planning and communications teams in an annual strategic marketing and stewardship plan for the purposes of educating constituents about gift planning and growing membership in the Bowdoin Pines Society. Develops and maintains technical expertise and knowledge of complex planned gifts and applies this expertise with donors and their advisers.
The hiring range for this position is expected to be: $107,500 – 117,500 annually.
- variety of health insurance plans (Medical, Vision, Dental)
- Generous Retirement Plan – 401(a) and 403(b)
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per calendar year, 12 days of personal/sick time
- Paid Holidays and Special Days Off: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/our-workplace/college-holidays-and-special-days-off.html
- Paid Parental Leave (Available after one year of service)
- Household access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool
- Free fitness and wellness classes! And more: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/benefits-perks/index.html
- Bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degree preferred
- Excellent writing and speaking skills
- Thorough understanding of philanthropy with a commitment to liberal arts colleges generally and to the mission and goals of Bowdoin specifically
- Keen interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills
- Demonstrated capacity to organize and manage multiple programs and projects simultaneously, working both independently and creatively in a collaborative, busy, team oriented environment
- Ability to set and accomplish goals within specified deadlines
- Demonstrated success in soliciting and closing gifts
- Familiarity with computer systems and software programs used in development and gift planning settings (i.e. Raiser’s Edge and PG Calc) and the willingness to use technology
- Aptitude for and ability to discuss complex gift planning concepts with constituents; capable of representing Bowdoin’s interests while interacting with alumni, parents, friends, staff of the College, College counsel, donors’ advisers and personal representatives
- Absolute confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion required
A minimum of 7 years of development/fundraising or related (e.g., financial planning, law) experience required; 7+ years experience specifically in gift planning preferred.
Demonstrated successful track record working with leadership-level donors.
A valid driver’s license and the ability to comply with the College’s Motor Vehicle Policy required.
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this posting to be considered for hire.
This is a full-time salaried position requiring the time necessary to fulfill job expectations. Standard administrative hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Occasional weekend and evening work required. Department staff work a hybrid schedule, with 3 days in the office.
Ability and willingness to travel 20-25% of the time.
We regret that Bowdoin College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.
Employment at Bowdoin College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of applicable background checks including but not limited to: criminal records, educational verifications, driving records (when job-related), and/or credit history (when job related).
Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.
We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.
Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.
Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.
Full Time Year Round
1.00
Yes
Salaried
Administrative Staff + MVR
Yes
No
05/22/2026
No
Internal/External
If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.
Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.
- * How did you hear about this position?
- Indeed.com
- Chronicle of Higher Education
- Diverse Issues in Higher Ed
- Glassdoor
- Google Search
- HigherEdJobs.com
- InsideHigherEd.com
- MANP
- Maine Job Link
- LiveandWorkinMaine.com
- Employee Referral
- Bowdoin College Website
- Radio Ad
- TechMaine
- NCAA
- CASE
- Other
- If you answered Employee Referral or Other, please specify here:
(Open Ended Question)
- Resume / Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.
Confidential arrangements will be made if you have a disability or require an accommodation in completing the application or in the interview process. Please notify Human Resources at (207) 725-3837 in advance so all necessary arrangements can be made confidentially.
Staff & Casual contact: careers@bowdoin.edu
Faculty contact: facultycareers@bowdoin.edu
(t)207-725-3837
216 Maine Street, Brunswick, ME 04011
Bowdoin College is a member of the Diversity Hiring Coalition of Maine, and Live and Work in Maine.
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