Manager, Gift Planning

World Wildlife Fund; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

World Wildlife Fund is seeking a Manager for Gift Planning in Washington, DC. This role involves leading donor engagement strategies and managing a team. The manager will oversee fundraising efforts to secure planned gifts while maintaining a personal portfolio of donor inquiries.

Ideal candidates will have at least 8 years of experience in planned giving, strong management skills, and an understanding of the strategic execution of fundraising goals. Collaboration with various teams and mentorship of Gift Planning Officers are key responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years' experience in planned giving, including staff supervision.
• Demonstrated success in strategies to increase efficiency in gift planning.
• Effective collaboration with donors and allied professionals.

Responsibilities

• Lead activities of Gift Planning Officers for donor cultivation.
• Develop annual and long-term gift planning goals.
• Mentor Gift Planning Officers to achieve team goals.

Skills

Planned giving expertise

Management skills

Interpersonal communication

Time management

Strategic execution

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Planned gift calculation software

Job description

Job Description

Under the direction of the Senior Director of Gift Planning, the Manager, Gift Planning acts as the department’s deputy, leading the donor‑facing part of the Gift Planning program. This includes guiding follow‑up strategies for all donor inquiries and ensuring effective cultivation, qualification, and closing of planned gifts. The manager supervises Gift Planning Officers in securing bequests, life‑income arrangements, and other current and deferred gift commitments. The manager also oversees the Gift Planning Development Coordinator to ensure timely entry and management of all marketing leads, accurate data tracking, and smooth execution of administrative operations. In addition to team‑leadership responsibilities, the manager maintains a personal portfolio of donor inquiries and oversees pipeline management and reporting processes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Pipeline Management

• Lead and manage the activities of Gift Planning Officers to ensure prompt follow‑up on all new leads and effective progression through cultivation, qualification, and closing stages.
• Review, refine, and improve processes and procedures for donor cultivation and gift tracking.
• Refine and implement measurable goals for outreach calls and donor contacts as part of comprehensive pipeline management.
• Monitor and evaluate team performance based on progress toward established goals and key performance indicators.
• Create and implement work processes that increase efficiency and effectiveness through strategic use of tools, data, and analysis.
• Manage inquiry pipeline reporting and ensure accurate forecasting of planned gift activity.

Program Development & Strategy

• Partner with the Senior Director of Gift Planning to develop and execute annual and long‑term gift planning goals.
• Focus on increasing the number of documented planned gift intentions.
• Ensure meaningful and personalized stewardship of Legacy Circle members within GPO portfolios.
• Refine outreach strategies to engage and qualify gift planning prospects.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Manage, mentor, and motivate Gift Planning Officers to achieve individual and team goals.
• Foster strong collaboration with Annual Giving and Regional Philanthropy Officers to support integrated fundraising strategies.
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and cross‑training opportunities across regional teams to build capacity and strengthen performance.

Portfolio Management & Stewardship

• Maintain a balanced personal portfolio of donor inquiries and existing donors.
• Provide appropriate stewardship and engagement to donors while fulfilling broader program management responsibilities.

Administrative & Operational Oversight

• Supervise the Gift Planning Development Coordinator to ensure timely entry and assignment of all marketing leads, effective coverage of phone and email inquiries, accurate tracking of GPO travel and expense reporting, and management of departmental data systems and administrative projects assigned.

Qualifications

Key Competencies

• Partnership Engagement – Builds and sustains collaborative relationships across teams and stakeholders to align strategies, strengthen donor engagement and commitment, improve department effectiveness, and achieve shared fundraising and organizational goals.
• Interpersonal Communications & Collaboration – Communicates effectively with both donors and colleagues, prioritizing creating and developing relationships to further organizational goals. Uses those relationships to collaborate across teams to strengthen relationships, support integrated fundraising strategies, and drive accountability, teamwork, and shared success.
• Coaching/Management Performance – Demonstrates the ability to guide, develop, motivate, and hold others accountable to achieve individual and organizational goals. Creates an environment that supports performance, growth, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Time Management/Organization & Attention To Detail – Effectively plans, prioritizes, and organizes work to meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy, completeness, and standards. Demonstrates careful attention to detail, follows established procedures, and manages multiple responsibilities efficiently.
• Strategic Execution and Implementation – Demonstrates the ability to align actions with organizational goals, prioritize effectively, mobilize resources, overcome obstacles, and deliver results through well‑planned and timely execution.

Skills and Experience

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required, with a minimum of 8 years of demonstrated success in planned giving, including staff supervision.
• Demonstrated success in implementation of strategies and systems to substantially increase efficiency in a gift planning program; effective collaboration externally with allied professionals and internally with peers, and broader staff; working knowledge of technical, legal, and financial requirements associated with planned giving.
• Relevant professional credential or planned giving certification preferred (e.g. CPA, JD, CFP, CAP, CGPA, CFRE).
• Demonstrated expertise in working with donors, volunteers, and allied professionals.
• Able to conceptualize and implement qualification and solicitation strategies and pipeline management systems involving high volume of inquiries.
• Knowledge of direct mail, marketing, and legal and technical aspects of planned giving.
• Excellent management, supervision, and organizational skills, as well as oral and written communication skills, are required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with planned gift calculation software (PG Calc, Crescendo, for example) required.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration.

Core Values

• Courage – Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult or unpopular.
• Integrity – Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
• Respect – Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
• Collaboration – Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

Additional Information

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
• Relocation is not provided for this position.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.