Director of Gift and Estate Planning

Institutional Advancement

Summary

The Director of Gift and Estate Planning will report directly to the Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement. As a member of the Institutional Advancement Leadership Teach, the Director of Gift and Estate Planning (“Director”) is responsible for strategically advancing the College’s relations with planned giving prospects of alumni, parents, and friends. Serving as the leader and the chief strategist for the Office of Gift and Estate Planning, the director will expand and administer a comprehensive planned giving program that includes outright gifts of real estate, cash, tangible personal property and all forms of deferred giving including estate planning, bequest commitments, charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities and other vehicles tailored to benefit both the donor and the institution.

The Director will thoughtfully manage her/his team which currently consists of: An Associate Director of Gift Planning (new), an Assistant Director of Gift Planning, and an Estate and Trust Administrator/Gift Planning Coordinator. Through servant leadership, excellent mentorship and a supportive and encouraging approach, the Director will increase productivity from existing staff and inspire the team to coalesce around the development and institutional goals of Occidental College.

This professional will be expected to be creative, professional and flexible in implementing the identified strategic directions. First and foremost, this professional will be a fundraiser. Carrying a portfolio of her/his own and building meaningful relationships that advance Occidental College’s vision will be expected. The Director will also serve as a cheerleader, a coach and a colleague to her/his team of gift planning professionals and across Institutional Advancement and the College-at-large.

Skills and Requirements

  • A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.
  • A proven and demonstrated track record as a fundraiser, working within a metrics-based organization, meeting and/or exceeding stated goals and expectations.
  • A minimum of five years of successful fundraising experience specifically in the areas of gift and estate planning and major gifts with a working knowledge of fundraising, preferably within institutions of higher education or comparable professional experience.
  • Strong computer literacy and organizational skills.
  • Strong technical knowledge of planned giving concepts, practices and procedures, and have a demonstrated record of achievement in cultivating, closing, administration, and stewardship of current and deferred gifts.
  • Must be current with trends in planned giving, including gifts of real estate, securities, etc. Familiarity with relevant legal issues and financial concepts is required.
  • Prior experiences with fundraising databases and evidence of an ability to master these resources.
  • Requires flexibility, versatility, and an ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
  • Capable of developing clear goals, systems, processes and priorities in a way that can be objectively tracked. These goals and expectations must be set working in conjunction with the Associate Vice President as directed by both the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and the President.
  • Excellent organizational, administrative and project management skills coupled with a high degree of creativity that leads to the translation of strategy into concrete action.
  • Professional demeanor and comfort with diverse constituencies as well as excellent listening skills.

Preferred Qualities:

  • Advanced degree or advanced certification (recognizing certifications including CFRE, CFP, etc…) is desirable.
  • Experience in higher education preferred with familiarity of highly selective liberal arts college being strongly desired.
  • A willingness for frequent travel (anticipating as much as 70% of time will be spent off campus interacting with suspects and donors) and the participation in college sponsored weekend events and gatherings, such as Reunion and Homecoming.
  • Organized and self-starting with outstanding written, oral, and analytical skills, the ability to handle multiple deadlines, and a willingness to learn quickly and work independently.
  • Knowledge across academic disciplines.
  • A commitment to the mission of the liberal arts college.

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to: