Senior Director of Gift Planning

Northern Illinois University Foundation; DeKalb (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Illinois University Foundation invites applications for a Senior Director of Gift Planning to lead a comprehensive program, secure major and blended gifts, and advance the university’s priorities. This strategic role requires collaboration with donors, trustees, university leadership, and professional advisors to design impactful philanthropic solutions.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Philanthropy, you will set data-driven goals, oversee gift documentation, and build a robust

Qualifications

• Leadership in philanthropic fundraising and gift planning.
• Ability to translate complex concepts for donors and advisors.
• Experience building donor-centered strategies in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for a comprehensive gift planning program.
• Develop and execute data-informed strategies to expand planned giving.
• Serve as principal gift planning expert and advisor to stakeholders.
• Oversee gift documentation, estate administration, compliance, and stewardship.
• Cultivate relationships with donors, attorneys, and financial professionals.
• Lead training, staffing, and ethical fundraising practices.

Skills

Fundraising Excellence

Gift Planning

Collaborative Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Communication

Stakeholder Engagement

Ethical Leadership

Executive Presence

Job description

TheNIUFoundation seeks an accomplished, strategic, and highly collaborativeSenior Director of Gift Planningto lead and expand a comprehensive gift planning program at Northern Illinois University, a dynamic, public Research 2 (R2) university.

In this leadership role, you will serve as a trusted philanthropic advisor, partnering with donors, their families, professional advisors, andNIUFoundation colleagues to design meaningful charitable giving strategies that align personal values with institutional priorities. You will provide strategic direction for the gift planning program, inspire transformational philanthropy, and cultivate enduring relationships which advance the universitys mission, enhance student success, and strengthen NIUs future.

Working alongside a talented Foundation team, you will drive innovative gift planning initiatives, secure significant planned and blended gifts, and serve as a recognized expert in charitable planning to amplify collective impact. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape a growing program, influence institution-wide fundraising success, and help donors create legacies that will benefit Northern Illinois University for generations to come.

The Impact Youll Make

Reporting to the Executive Director of Philanthropy and partnering closely with colleagues across theNIUFoundation and University, the Senior Director of Gift Planning serves as a key leader in advancing the institutions philanthropic mission through strategic gift planning and donor engagement by:

• Providing strategic leadership for a comprehensive and collaborative gift planning program, driving growth, innovation, and integration across the Foundations fundraising efforts.
• Developing and executing an ambitious, data-informed strategyto expand planned giving opportunities, increase donor participation, and generate long-term philanthropic support for the universitys highest priorities.
• Serving as the Foundations principal gift planning expert and trusted advisor, consulting with Foundation colleagues, university leaders, faculty, staff, donors, and professional advisors on charitable planning strategies and complex gift opportunities.
• Overseeing critical operational functions, including gift documentation, estate administration, grant administration, policy compliance, and the stewardship and realization of planned gifts, ensuring exceptional donor service and fiduciary responsibility.
• Partnering with donors and their families to create meaningful philanthropic legacies, aligning their values and aspirations with opportunities that transform the future of Northern Illinois University.
• Building strong partnerships across the university and within the professional advisor community, fostering collaboration that enhances donor engagement, broadens awareness of gift planning opportunities, and advances institutional fundraising success.

The Skills You Bring to the Table

We are seeking a self-motivated, metrics-driven professional who thrives in a collaborative, matrixed environment. To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• Proven Fundraising Excellence:Demonstrated success in progressive development roles, with a strong track record of securing six- and seven-figure planned, major, and blended gifts in a higher education setting.
• Advanced Gift Planning Expertise:Deep knowledge of charitable gift planning vehicles, estate planning principles, tax-advantaged giving strategies, and gift documentation. Ability to translate complex financial and philanthropic concepts into donor-centered solutions that align personal values with institutional priorities.
• A Collaborative Approach:Exceptional ability to build trust, foster collaboration, and influence outcomes across a diverse range of stakeholders, including donors, professional advisors, senior administrators, faculty, volunteers, and Foundation colleagues. A team-oriented leader who contributes meaningfully to division-wide success.
• Strategic & Analytical Thinking:Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information, evaluate opportunities, and develop effective strategies that advance ambitious fundraising goals and long-term institutional priorities.
• Drive & Adaptability:Self-motivated and results-oriented professional who thrives in a dynamic environment. Demonstrates initiative, sound judgment, and flexibility while managing multiple priorities and responding effectively to evolving opportunities and challenges.
• Exceptional Communication and Relationship-Building Skills:Outstanding written, presentation, and interpersonal communication abilities. Skilled at engaging diverse audiences, facilitating meaningful conversations about philanthropy, and inspiring confidence among donors, professional advisors, and institutional leaders.
• Commitment to Stewardship and Service:Demonstrated ability to cultivate authentic, long-term donor relationships through thoughtful engagement, exceptional service, and a commitment to honoring donor intent.
• Professional Credibility and Executive Presence:Possesses the confidence, judgment, and professionalism necessary to represent the Foundation with distinction in high-level donor interactions, professional advisor meetings, campus leadership discussions, and public forums.
• Ethical Leadership and Integrity:Unwavering commitment to the highest standards of ethics, confidentiality, professionalism, and fiduciary responsibility, with a strong understanding of the principles that guide charitable fundraising and gift planning.

Number of employees reporting directly to this position, including student employees: 1-3

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Philanthropic Advising & Consultation

• Serve as the Foundations leading resource and subject matter expert on charitable estate planning, tax-efficient giving strategies, blended gift opportunities, and complex philanthropic arrangements.
• Collaborate with deans, faculty, foundation professionals, university leadership, and Foundation partners to identify gift opportunities, develop donor strategies, and support fundraising priorities across the institution.
• Advise donors, prospects, and their professional advisors on charitable giving vehicles that align philanthropic objectives with personal, family, financial, and estate-planning goals.
• Provide consultation and strategic guidance to foundation colleagues regarding complex gift opportunities involving real estate, retirement assets, life insurance, closely held business interests, publicly traded securities, donor-advised funds, and other non-cash assets.
• Serve as a trusted partner to members of the advancement team by providing expertise on gift planning strategies, participating in donor meetings, and assisting with proposal development, gift design, and solicitation strategies.
• Partner with legal, financial, and administrative professionals to evaluate complex gift plans and ensure gifts are structured appropriately and in accordance with Foundation and university policies.
• Monitor and interpret emerging trends, tax law developments, and legislative changes affecting charitable giving and proactively advise on implications and opportunities to stakeholders and foundation staff.
• Develop tools, resources, and best practices that strengthen organizational knowledge and enhance gift planning effectiveness across the Foundation.

Managing & Growing the Planned Giving Program

• Provide strategic leadership for theNIUFoundations gift planning program by developing and executing a comprehensive, data-informed vision that increases donor participation, strengthens pipeline development, and drives sustained philanthropic revenue growth.
• Establish, implement, and monitor annual and multi-year goals, performance metrics, and benchmarks for planned giving initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional fundraising priorities and strategic objectives.
• Direct all aspects of planned giving program administration, including compliance, documentation, regulatory requirements, stewardship processes, and the timely realization and closure of realized estate gifts.
• Oversee and manage a diverse portfolio of planned gift vehicles, including charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, bequests, beneficiary designations, retained life estates, and other complex gift arrangements.
• Partner with Foundation communications staff and external vendors to develop and execute integrated marketing, stewardship, and donor education strategies that increase awareness and inspire philanthropic investment through charitable planning.
• Evaluate program performance through data analysis and reporting, identifying trends, opportunities, and areas for continuous improvement while ensuring responsible stewardship of financial and organizational resources.
• Lead the planning and execution of educational programs, seminars, and engagement events that promote gift planning opportunities and strengthen relationships with donors, alumni, and professional advisors.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with university leadership, academic partners, Foundation staff, and external stakeholders to advance institutional priorities and maximize philanthropic impact.
• Cultivate and expand a network of attorneys, financial advisors, accountants, trust officers, and other professional advisors to increase awareness of NIUs charitable planning opportunities and generate new gift planning referrals.
• Serve as a visible ambassador and subject matter expert for gift planning, representing the Foundation in professional associations, donor meetings, campus events, and community engagement opportunities.

Relationship Management

• Manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects and donors with the potential to make major, planned, or blended gifts of $100,000 or more, utilizing strategic qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship practices.
• Personally secure major, planned, and blended gifts by developing meaningful donor relationships and collaborating with institutional leaders, volunteers, faculty, and Foundation colleagues.
• Develop and execute individualized donor engagement and moves management strategies designed to deepen relationships, align donor interests with institutional priorities, and advance prospects toward philanthropic commitments.
• Conduct thoughtful discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits with donors and prospects, creating personalized engagement opportunities that inspire transformational giving.
• Collaborate with prospect development and research teams to identify new gift planning opportunities, maintain portfolio health, and ensure a balanced and productive pipeline of prospects.
• Partner with donor relations and foundation services teams to develop comprehensive stewardship strategies, ensure donor intent is honored, and facilitate the completion of gift agreements and supporting documentation.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive records of donor interactions, prospect strategies, proposals, and outcomes within Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) systems, ensuring compliance with reporting standards and portfolio management expectations.
• Regularly evaluate portfolio performance and key activity metrics, adjusting strategies to maximize fundraising effectiveness and donor engagement.

Administration, Supervision, Training, & Coaching

• Provide strategic oversight of the gift documentation process, ensuring gift agreements are accurately drafted, reviewed, executed, and managed in accordance with donor intent,IRSregulations, and Foundation and university policies.
• Lead, supervise, mentor, and develop gift planning staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on accountability, innovation, donor-centered service, and professional growth.
• Establish clear performance expectations, monitor progress toward goals, conduct regular performance evaluations, and provide ongoing coaching and support to maximize individual and team effectiveness.
• Create and implement professional development plans that enhance staff competencies in gift planning, fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and portfolio management.
• Ensure team members have access to the tools, training, technology, and resources needed to successfully identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward planned and complex gifts.
• Develop and deliver training programs, workshops, and educational resources that strengthen gift planning knowledge and fundraising effectiveness across the Foundation.
• Promote adherence to ethical fundraising standards, Foundation policies, and industry best practices while ensuring appropriate risk management and compliance procedures are followed.
• Prepare and present reports, analyses, and recommendations for Foundation leadership regarding program performance, fundraising results, pipeline activity, and strategic opportunities for growth.