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Department Summary: The mission of VCU’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to maximize philanthropic support by engaging stakeholders with our institution working in partnership with all VCU schools, programs and campuses as one development and alumni relations community and implementing the best practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensive development program.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Planned Giving, the Executive Director of Planned Giving will serve as a premier philanthropic advisor, subject matter expert, and collaborative partner for fundraisers, donors, and their professional advisors. This role provides strategic counsel and architects sophisticated blended gift strategies to drive significant philanthropic investment across the health sciences, including the School of Medicine, VCU Health System, Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Public Health, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Professions, School of Dentistry, and School of Nursing. The Executive Director partners closely with frontline fundraisers and their teams to identify, cultivate and secure gifts that combine current and future commitments that help donors achieve their philanthropic goals while advancing the mission of the organization.

As the Executive Director of Planned Giving, you will:

• Collaborate with the AVP of Planned Giving to develop fundraising goals and strategies to increase current, blended, and deferred gifts benefiting VCU.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for constituents, fundraisers, professional advisors, and colleagues on tax-advantaged and deferred ways of giving, including gifts through wills, living trusts, retirement plans, donor-advised funds, appreciated securities, real estate, life insurance, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, and other gift vehicles, donor accounts and assets.
• Provide strategic support to fundraisers and fundraising teams to develop and execute proposals that maximize the current and deferred giving potential of their donors and prospects.
• Partner with fundraisers as a team member on a portfolio of donors and prospective donors and meet with them to secure current, blended, and deferred gifts for the benefit of VCU.
• Develop and execute a process to track and manage the office’s 2,000+ highly rated planned giving prospects in collaboration with prospect development and unit based teams.
• Design and deliver planned giving training workshops, along with related materials, for fundraisers and DAR colleagues.
• Track and report on the results of planned giving efforts.
• Use software to prepare gift illustrations and proposals for planned gifts.
• Partner with Philanthropic Services to ensure planned gifts are accurately recorded, credited, and designated.
• Help to identify opportunities to promote and increase planned giving through partnerships with the strategic engagement team and reunion events.
• Collaborate with DAR colleagues and foundation partners to support the stewardship program for legacy society members.
• Remain current on developments in the estate and planned giving fields, and use industry data and current best practices to inform VCU's strategy.
• Provide support for a multi-faceted marketing and communications plan to increase current, deferred, and blended gifts for the benefit of VCU.
• Participate in and provide support for special projects, programs, and events related to planned giving.

As a team member, you will:

• Demonstrate appreciation for the mission and aspirations of VCU;
• Display a strong commitment to organizational success and delivering on individual responsibilities as a university citizen;
• Demonstrate a commitment to the pursuit of excellence, high achievement and ongoing professional development by proactively seeking opportunities to develop new capabilities, skills, and knowledge;
• Establish, cultivate and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal partners;
• Demonstrate a commitment to the highest quality service to internal and external communities;
• Demonstrate an open-minded approach to understanding people from all backgrounds, identities, abilities, perspectives and experiences;
• Ensure work is completed accurately and within deadline. Set high standards, exhibit a positive attitude, maintain strict confidentiality, and show exemplary work ethic;
• Reflect DAR’s and VCU’s core purpose and values.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training and work experience.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in planned giving, major gifts, or related fields with a proven ability to coach colleagues, set goals, and drive performance.
• Proven planned giving success in securing seven-figure gifts and above as the primary relationship manager that involves complex gift structures, a variety of asset types and charitable vehicles.
• Personal initiative, curiosity, and ability to bring a creative and data-informed approach to all aspects of planned giving.
• Demonstrated experience communicating complex content to non-expert audiences.
• Ability to provide strategic guidance and support to non-direct reports and their teams on all aspects of planned giving, including fundraising, marketing, and gift recording.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating across teams in a matrixed organization.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
• Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills; superior judgment, negotiating skills, and diplomacy.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities while working strategically, collaboratively, and independently.
• Commitment to the mission and strategic goals of VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• JD, CFPⓇ, CPA, CAPⓇ or advanced degree in business, finance, or related field.
• Experience supporting operational aspects of planned giving programs, including prospect identification and prioritization, estate administration, data analysis and reporting.
• Experience in grateful patient fundraising.
• Experience in alumni fundraising.
• Experience developing the strategy and content for planned giving education programs, outreach initiatives, and delivering the programs to fundraisers and essential partners.

Interested applicants are required to submit a resume and cover letter for consideration.

Additional Information:

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

VCU is also committed to hiring veterans. The University will include a veteran’s period(s) of military service in calculations of the annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual.

Unit: Development MBU

Department: Development

Salary Range: Compensation is commensurate with candidate’s specialty skills, years of experience, and unique background with an expected minimum salary starting at $150,000

University Job Title: Senior Development Officer 1-3

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Eligible for sponsorship (e.g. H-IB visa status, etc.): No

Wireless stipend: Eligible

Flexible Work Arrangement: Flexible work arrangements are available for candidates within a commutable distance to Richmond, VA. A sign-on bonus will be provided to candidates who will need to relocate for this position.

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Izzy Kane
Contact Email: irkane@vcu.edu