Executive Director, Gift Planning - Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University is seeking highly skilled development leader for a newly re-imagined position – Executive Director of Gift Planning. This leadership role will tackle the enhancement of current planned giving efforts and the build-out of a re-imagined gift planning program that emphasizes new and creative strategies that maximize donor potential by leveraging traditional planned giving vehicles, cash and non-liquid assets. As the program leader, you will be responsible for leading this charge both internally with all Vanderbilt fundraisers and key partners across campus functions, and externally by maintaining a highly collaborative prospect portfolio to close six, seven, and eight-figure gifts.



Ideal candidates demonstrate a commitment to developing and leveraging collaborative prospect strategies, technical gift planning expertise, a track-record for closing complex gifts, and a willingness to intentionally strengthen organization’s culture through their leadership, positivity, and problem-solver mindset. Gift planning program leadership in a complex higher-education environment is also a plus. This is a key role advancing important work for our capital campaign – Dare to Grow – and Vanderbilt overall.



The Department of Development and Alumni Engagement (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs.



Duties and Responsibilities



Design, Implement, and Lead the University’s Gift Planning Efforts Across All Areas





+ Manages day-to-day operations of the gift planning team, including programmatic areas that involve marketing of planned giving opportunities to donors, donor stewardship activity, gift planning lead generation and follow-up, and related functions.



+ Creates and delivers robust training, materials, and ongoing coaching for all front line fundraisers to demystify gift planning strategies, understand the potential for cash and non-cash assets, and ultimately incorporate and leverage gift planning strategies into all prospect strategies, at all prospect levels.



+ Actively participates in goal setting, the creation and implementation of balanced performance indicators, and ongoing efforts to measure and articulate the impact of all types of planned gifts, for the gift planning team and across all development units.



+ Regularly presents to university leadership, constituent councils, donor groups and volunteers to foster a strong culture of philanthropy and to campaign for all types of planned gifts.



+ Works extensively across team lines with peers in the development unit leaders group to collaborate toward greater coverage of all potential planned giving prospects at all levels, and to ensure that gift planning strategies are front and center for each unit to maximize individual fundraiser’s production.



+ Develop and implements an active donor recognition program specifically for planned giving donors, and in full integration with wider donor recognition programs, societies, and experiential efforts. Maintain the brand and value of the Sarratt Society as the university’s vital circle of planned giving donors.



+ Develops and maintains gift acceptance policies in partnership with the DAR Stewardship team and by working with key partners across campus functions including DAR’s leadership and administration team, the General Counsel’s office, and the Chief Financial Officer’s team to manage university risk while maximizing potential for creative fundraising.



+ Maintain a robust stewardship coverage effort to ensure that donors are regularly communicated to and visited to maintain strong connections and to regularly and predictably reevaluate and revalue various types of gifts.





Collaboratively Close Gifts, Drive Prospect Strategy, and Increase Fundraising Success





+ Collaboratively closes six, seven, and eight figure gifts in support of all Vanderbilt schools, units, and initiatives through robust prospect work across the donor cycle, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.



+ Regularly leads or participates in prospect strategy review sessions with individual fundraisers to develop strategies that include gift planning and maximize results long-term.



+ Joins visits with other prospect managers to help lead gift planning conversations and leverage specific strategies.



+ Actively stewards individual planned giving donors through targeted outreach, and visits.





Manage team of fundraisers responsible for driving planned gifts, personal and collaboratively





+ Manage two direct reports—a Senior Advisor for Gift Planning and a Director of Gift Planning—to meet their personal and team goals.



+ Foster a culture of collaboration among team members and with the greater DAR Development Team, as well as key support staff members.



+ Carry a personal fundraising goal of seven figures and appropriate metrics for title and prospect pool.





Supervisory Relationships: This position supervises two front line fundraisers: Senior Advisor for Gift Planning and the Director for Gift Planning. Because this is a newly re-imagined team, there is potential for additional staffing as the strategy and program focus is sharpened. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development.



Qualifications



The Executive Director must be a leader in the field of planned giving, ideally with experience in closing complex gifts that include both cash and non-cash assets. As a key fundraising role for the university, this individual should be a highly articulate, polished fundraiser.





+ A bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent work experience, is necessary.



+ A JD, advanced degree, or certification in estate planning is preferred.



+ Ten or more years of development experience, or the equivalent, is required, with a proven track record of successful major gift solicitations, preferably within a non-profit setting.



+ Driving is considered an essential job function for this role. Operating a motor vehicle is a regular and necessary part of this position. A motor vehicle registration (MVR) check is routinely conducted to ensure compliance.



+ Some evening and weekend work, as needed.



+ Willingness and ability to personally solicit gifts of $100,000 and larger.



+ Strong understanding of development and planned giving strategies and best practices. Experience working with bequests, trusts, taxes, and other planned giving mechanisms.



+ Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire donors.



+ Willingness, if remote, to travel regularly to Nashville for key meetings, activities, trainings, and team building activities.



+ Excellent organizational skills, oral and written communications skills and the ability to articulate the needs, interests and accomplishments of Vanderbilt University to a wide range of audiences.



+ Interpersonal skills and judgment suitable for exercising appropriate discretion and demeanor when dealing with alumni, parents, friends, and employees.



+ Ability to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential information.



+ Ability to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Vanderbilt’s donor management system.



+ Ability to work independently, take initiative, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to ever-changing priorities.



+ Exhibit personal characteristics enabling effective interaction with important constituencies and possess a genuine commitment to the advancement of education, research, and to the principles governing Development and Alumni Relations



+ Values the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle and is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.





Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion


At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.


Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.



#LI-HYBRID


Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.