Executive Director of Gift Planning

Join Centre College as we recruit exceptional faculty and staff! At Centre, we seek passionate and qualified individuals committed to fostering academic excellence, vibrant community, and inclusive growth. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and ongoing professional development. Our collegial environment values diversity of perspectives, encourages meaningful discourse and celebrates the unique contributions of each community member.

Leads Centre College’s planned giving program, including strategy development, donor cultivation and solicitation, and stewardship of a portfolio of over 400 deferred gift commitments valued at over $250 million.  Oversees trust and estate administration, split-interest gifts, and the College’s Gift Acceptance Committee.  Serves as a primary architect of the planned giving component of the College’s upcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign.  Reports to the Senior Associate Vice President for Development and works closely with the entire Development and Alumni Engagement team.

Essential Job Functions:

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward planned gift donors, documenting all activity in the College’s CRM (Blackbaud’s NXT and FPM platforms);
• Work directly with diverse groups of donors and their professional advisors to craft personalized giving strategies, providing individual planned gift illustrations consistent with the values and priorities of the donors;
• Oversee trust and estate settlement for realized bequests, working with executors, personal representatives, and the College’s general counsel to ensure timely and smooth receipt of estate provisions designated for Centre College;
• Oversee, in partnership with the finance office, the general counsel, and external entities, the College’s portfolio of split-interest gifts, life insurance policies, and other assets, including appropriate tax reporting and documentation;
• Serve as a member of and lead key functions of the College’s Gift Acceptance Committee, consistent with the Gift Acceptance Policy, all other College policies, and applicable law;
• Lead a comprehensive planned giving marketing and stewardship program, including regular internal training and other strategic initiatives, to maintain existing commitments and grow the College’s pipeline of current and deferred gifts;
• Serve as a primary architect of the planned giving component of the College’s upcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign, including strategy development, donor cultivation, and integration with the broader campaign effort;
• Partner closely with colleagues on the development team, finance office, general counsel, office of student financial planning, and other College offices;
• Manage vendors in support of planned giving marketing, communications, and administration initiatives;
• Lead or partner on stewardship functions for planned giving donors, including events and mailings;
• Document all donor contact and gift plan details in the College’s CRM; create, use, and manage data to support gift planning strategy;
• Achieve ambitious goals for the College and department, working within a system of performance metrics;
• Manage budgets and maintain organized, current records regarding all planned giving activity;
• Stay current on rules, regulations, tax laws, and developments pertaining to planned giving, estate planning, financial and wealth management, and related matters;
• Engage in moderate to significant travel, with some evening and weekend work.

Marginal Job Functions:

• Represent the Development and Alumni Engagement office on College committees, and at meetings and functions, as appropriate;
• Other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or professional credentials in financial planning, law, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of five years in progressively complex roles in nonprofit or higher education fundraising, financial services, estate planning, or a closely related field.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Experience with CRM systems, database management, and record keeping.

Knowledge and Skills

• Systems:  Proficiency with word processing (Microsoft Word), Excel, and a fundraising or constituent relationship management platform (e.g. Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud NXT). 
• Subject Matter:  Knowledge of or experience in charitable gift planning, estate planning, investments, or financial advising. 
• Organization:  Ability to manage time to accommodate multiple projects from various sources; manage projects independently from start to finish; and create strategy based on data. 
• Interpersonal:  Ability to work with diverse constituents of the College and the broader community, and to function effectively with sophisticated individuals of significant wealth and social standing.  Highly professional, with an unwavering commitment to confidentiality, donor relations, and responsive, professional engagement with all prospects and donors.

Physical Requirements:

• Limited pushing, pulling, lifting.  Lifting would not exceed 20 lbs.
• Mobility on campus necessary. 
• Ability to travel long distances and stay one or more nights away from home.

Compensation:

The expected compensation range for this position is based on the skills and experience of the selected candidate.  This position may be structured as a hybrid role; however, regardless of work arrangement, the employee will be expected to maintain an on-campus presence averaging at least one day per week.

Centre provides a supportive, engaging setting where faculty and staff thrive as we advance our shared mission: preparing students for lives of learning, leadership, and service. Join our community and leave a lasting impact on generations to come.

As a fundamental policy and in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other applicable non-discrimination laws, Centre College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, disability, veteran’s status, or genetic information in the administration of any of its education or employment policies. Centre College hires and promotes its employees and admits its students on the basis of merit, qualification, and character.