Director, Gift Planning - University of Pennsylvania

University Overview


The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.




Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.




The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.








Posted Job Title

Director, Gift Planning





Job Profile Title

Director D, Development, Fundraising





Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Gift Planning, the Director of Gift Planning is responsible for providing assistance in the planning, implementation and administration of the Gift Planning Program. The Director negotiates and secures a variety of outright, planned, and blended gifts, including bequests, charitable gift annuities, trusts, collectibles, and complex financial assets. Based on a knowledge of charitable giving techniques and tax laws, the Director works to maximize a donor's goals and intentions, while complying with governmental requirements and the University of Pennsylvania's guidelines for gift acceptance.


The Director works closely with assigned DAR units, to promote gift planning techniques and asset and estate giving. The position is designed to provide the development offices of the assigned units with charitable giving and complex gift expertise and support. The position provides technical support for planned gifts, strategic planning and creative ways to structure gifts of assets, and major gift outreach. Travel and some weekend work required.


The Director’s principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.





Job Description


Job Responsibilities



+ Initiate and follow through with the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of outright, blended, and planned gifts. Conduct active field oriented activity with prospective donors; gather information on potential resources from individuals; analyze strategies, and research and plan techniques, to obtain substantial gifts through financial and estate planning, as well as outright or in blended form.


+ Serve as liaison and strategic support for assigned constituencies.


+ Coordinate fundraising efforts with other university development officers and with attorneys, trust officers and estate planning professionals to encourage prospective donors to include the University in their estate plans.


+ Respond to inquiries from prospective donors and their legal and financial advisers with written proposals and personal presentations.


+ In collaboration with other DAR development officers, evaluate the appeal to a donor in terms of amount, timing, and method of giving; and plan and coordinate proposals to, and solicitations of, prospective donors.


+ Participate in the structuring of complex gifts with the University’s Offices of the Treasurer, General Counsel, and Investments.


+ Address groups of alumni and friends on charitable planning.


+ Present training sessions for colleagues and prospective donors.


+ Provide guidance and support for technology and information management for gift planning.


+ Participate in the supervision of administrative support.





Qualifications:


Bachelor’s degree and 7-10 progressive non-profit experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required , with experience in major gift fundraising, planned giving, estates and trusts, banking and financial services, communications and marketing, law, or related fields highly desirable. Advanced degree, preferably in law, business, non-profit administration, or related area, preferred.




Knowledge of the tax implications of charitable giving including federal income, estate and gift taxes preferred. Ability to perform financial projections desirable.




Familiarity with charitable and tax aspects of tangible personal property and intellectual property highly desirable.




Strong oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated computer and office technology skills, and aptitude for learning new software where appropriate. Must be comfortable with database management systems.




Proven organizational and interpersonal skills to work closely with donors and development colleagues as part of a dynamic team providing services to internal and external constituencies.




Self-motivated with ability to consistently meet goals and deadlines; juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously, and exercise sound judgment in working with sensitive information and diverse constituencies.




Enthusiasm, a high level of energy and flexibility is a must. Ability and willingness to travel and valid driver's license required for this position. Evening/Weekend work as needed.




Knowledge of the University of Pennsylvania strongly preferred.








Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

Development and Alumni Relations





Pay Range

$90,860.00 - $139,725.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.










Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.




Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.




University Benefits

+ Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

+ Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

+ Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

+ Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

+ Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

+ Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

+ Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

+ University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

+ Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

+ Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

+ Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

+ Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.




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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.