Senior Director, Planned Giving & Major Gifts

C001 New Jersey Institute of Technology; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark seeks an Executive Director of Planned Giving to lead high-value fundraising initiatives. You will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $25,000+ and manage a portfolio of major donors across colleges and units, partnering with leadership to align priorities and strategies.

You will oversee proposal development, donor communications, and briefings for senior leaders, while traveling as needed and engaging with alumni, corporate

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.
• Willingness to travel and work evenings/weekends as required.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Communication

Gift strategies

Office software

CRM systems

Travel availability

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Raiser's Edge NXT

Microsoft Office

Job description

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark seeks an Executive Director of Planned Giving to lead high-value fundraising initiatives. You will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $25,000+ and manage a portfolio of major donors across colleges and units, partnering with leadership to align priorities and strategies.

You will oversee proposal development, donor communications, and briefings for senior leaders, while traveling as needed and engaging with alumni, corporate