Director of Development, Gift Planning

ABOUT GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY:

Our Vision: To be the Christian university of choice known for empowering students to achieve exceptional life outcomes.

Our Mission: To prepare students spiritually, academically and professionally to think with clarity, act with integrity and serve with passion.

Our Values: Students first. Christ in everything. Innovation to improve outcomes.

As Oregon's premier Christian university, George Fox offers a wide variety of opportunities to serve in a Christian community that delivers the promise that each student will Be Known - personally, academically and spiritually.

University Advancement seeks a collaborative, mission-driven and results-oriented gift planning professional to serve as the Director of Development, Gift Planning. An ideal candidate will have demonstrated success in securing planned gifts by developing and implementing strategic solicitation plans that incorporate a concise definition of goals, targeted audiences, and strategic communications. The position reports to the Vice President for Advancement and will work in partnership with the VPA and other colleagues to establish a gift planning program. The Director of Development, Gift Planning will work with gift planning prospects, estates, attorneys and financial planners to secure future financial support via bequests, trusts, gift annuities, real estate and other assets.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Discover, engage, and invite philanthropic gifts through ongoing personal contact and visits with donors, prospective donors and attorneys/advisors. Conduct a minimum of 10 donor visits monthly.
• Communicate with external attorneys, trust officers and executors in an effort to promptly and accurately fulfill donor bequests, as necessary and appropriate. Maintains a thorough knowledge of complex tax issues as well as other legislative regulations regarding planned giving, gift acceptance and associated compliance guidelines.
• Secure a minimum of 15 new planned giving commitments per year.
• Meet minimum fundraising goals annually and minimum number of contacts monthly.
• Steward existing Henry Mills Legacy Society donors through regular and ongoing personal communication.
• Manage a portfolio of gift planning prospects and partner with Development Officers to secure planned gifts with their respective managed prospects.
• Develop donor-specific engagement strategies designed to initiate new planned gifts.
• Produce timely contact reports that outline future engagement strategies after each donor, prospective donor, or partner interaction.
• Develop and conduct regular training of development staff and other offices on planned giving strategies and trends when appropriate. Consult and collaborate with colleagues across the University including, but not limited to, Finance, Financial Aid and General Counsel in planned giving efforts.
• Develop and execute strategic marketing plans for planned giving, including distribution of effective marketing materials.
• Serve as Advancement's representative with academic and/or other university Be a liaison for Advancement staff in communicating priorities and updates.  
• Communicate effectively and courteously with others, including employees, students and the public, in a spirit of teamwork, respect and customer service.
• Attend events, presentations, meetings and other appropriate gatherings.
• Ensure that gifts are acknowledged, reports are shared and funding is allocated appropriately.
• By actions, words and lifestyle, be a Christian role model to students, whether through casual contact or in a formal supervisory role.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree and 7+ years successful work experience in higher education and/or development, including gift planning.
• Previous experience in building relationships with donors, making the ask, and closing gifts at the President's Council Level ($1000+) and Major Gifts ($25,000+).
• Proven experience in developing strategy to engage donor prospects.
• Must have in-depth knowledge and stay up-to-date on industry standards/changes to applicable tax law implications of charitable planned giving options such as charitable gift annuities, IRA's, trusts, gifts of real property and appreciated assets, and a comfort level speaking with donors regarding complex planned giving vehicles.
• Proven experience in coaching and/or working with university or professional partners to identify funding priorities, alignment with institutional goals and strategic planning.
• Must have well-developed organizational, planning, prioritizing, administrative and presentation skills. Must be self-motivated and driven to the achievement of results. Must have the ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects at one time and in a busy environment. 
• Must have proven and exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (both written and oral), and the ability to connect with a wide spectrum of people.
• Must have proven experience in effectively contacting, answering queries of, and building relationships with donors, attorney's and financial planners.
• Must demonstrate professionalism, tact, confidentiality and initiative. Must be upbeat and a team player.
• Evangelical Christian commitment and lifestyle consistent with the university's mission as described in the Statement of Faith and Community Lifestyle Statement on our website.
• Appreciation for an inclusive environment that values diversity, engages in global concerns, and connects culturally.  
• The Director of Development, Gift Planning may be required to work evenings and weekends as necessary. Local and national travel is required up to 50% of the time.

STARTING SALARY: DOE

COMPETITIVE BENEFITS:  Vacation; sick leave; holidays; medical, dental, life, disability insurance; retirement plan; and tuition remission. 

REPORTS TO:   Vice President for Advancement

For Your Personal Well-Being We Offer:

• A beautiful and peaceful campus environment with areas to walk and coffee shops and restaurants close by
• A strong Christian vision and mission-led organization with opportunities for your growth and contributions
• Wonderful Christian peers and a vibrant student population
• Free Fitness Center membership
• Free parking
• Rich employee benefits

We invite you to Be Known at Oregon's Nationally Recognized Christian University!

George Fox has been transforming student lives for over 125 years.

Each day we look to broaden our future for generations to come.

We have alumni from 52 countries and all 50 states.

We invite you to become a steward of our dreams using your God-given gifts.

Our Purpose: To educate and inspire students to pursue God's calling.

**This position is subject to close at any time, regardless of the date on the posting.

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