Associate Director of Planned Giving (Revised and Extended)

Associate Director of Planned Giving (Revised and Extended)

University Advancement

Northern Illinois University

Department, University, and Community description

The Division of University Advancement is responsible for all friend-raising and fund-raising at Northern Illinois University. Programs within the division are responsible for building strong relationships with NIU alumni (the NIU Alumni Association) and managing philanthropy to benefit the university (the NIU Foundation).

The President/CEO of the NIU Foundation, who also serves as the Vice President for University Advancement, provides administrative direction for the entire Division of University Advancement. The office of the President/CEO coordinates management of the NIU Foundation Board of Directors, who have fiduciary responsibility for management of the endowment as well as utilization of philanthropic funds on behalf of NIU. 

NIU is a university that has diversity, equity, and inclusion as one its primary core values. We seek and are strengthened by the diverse perspectives and experiences of our university community members, and we appreciate and respect every member of our community. Being a part of the NIU Huskie family means being an advocate for diversity and embracing inclusive principles.

Primary Function

The Associate Director of Planned Giving works within the Gift and Estate Planning Team to coordinate, with the Director of Gift Planning the planning, review, assessment, and coordination of planned giving initiatives.

The primary goal of the position is to market, solicit and steward current planned and deferred gifts (bequests, charitable gift annuities, trusts, real estate, appreciated securities, IRA and whole-life insurance designations, etc.). This position works with all legal instruments associated with planned giving and requires a law degree. These gift vehicles will provide donors the opportunity to leave a legacy to NIU and to further its overall mission of providing a high quality, affordable and accessible education to all who desire one. A secondary goal is to provide ongoing support relative to the marketing and branding of the gift planning program to the various university constituencies.

A high degree of confidentiality and discretion is mandatory, as well as superior personal initiative and communication skills. The Associate Director of Planned Giving reports to the Executive Director of Advancement.

Duties and Responsibilities

Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward planned and deferred gift prospects. Manage a portfolio of 100-125 prospects. Conduct prospect research and forge deeper relationships with various campus constituencies, such as the seven university colleges, annual fund donors, Northern Public Radio donors, NIU annuitants association and the alumni association. Coordinate with the Executive Director of Advancement and the Director of Planned Giving to develop the overall marketing and branding strategy for the planned giving program, assist in the development of collateral materials, and ensure that the planned giving portion of the NIU Foundation website is up-to-date, compelling and relevant. Assist in coordinating the bi-annual stewardship program to honor and thank planned giving donors who have enrolled in the Foundation’s Cornerstone Society. Work with major gift officers to ensure that each college and other university programs have the necessary, appropriate and customized planned giving marketing materials. Assist in developing an annual report on marketing efforts to ascertain return on investment and program impact. Assure that all estates are settled in a professional, timely and efficient manner and funds are used to fulfill the donor’s specific philanthropic intent. Maintain an annual schedule of professional training in the areas of estate planning, planned giving marketing and not-for-profit management.

Education and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Three (3) years of experience with successful major gift solicitation.
• Five (5) years of experience in planned giving.
• Five (5) years of professional experience in a collegiate environment.
• Knowledge and experience in development and alumni relations fields.
• Experience of diverse engagement strategies and philanthropic behaviors.
• Experience engaging with diverse populations to develop a diverse philanthropic plan.
• Demonstrated exceptional writing skills, strong oral communication with group presentation skills.
• Demonstrable commitment to the highest standard of ethical and professional conduct in accordance with the CASE Statement of Ethics, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Principles and Standards, and The Donor Bill of Rights. (Membership not required.)
• Demonstrably strong work ethic and entrepreneurial mentality. A high-level of integrity, focus and commitment to achieve ambitious goals is essential. 
• Familiarity with the “moves management” approach to major gift fundraising
• Experience working within a matrixed organizational structure where performance responsibilities are evaluated in different divisions.
• A flexible attitude and clear ability to modify and adapt as situations arise.

Education and Experience Preferred

• Juris doctorate degree.
• Seven (7) years of experience in planned giving.
• Ten (10) years of professional experience in a collegiate environment.
• Advanced degree and/or professional designation (CFRE).
• Capital campaign experience in higher education is highly desirable. 
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software and familiarity with appropriate foundation fundraising tools. Knowledge of computerized systems of donor record keeping, data tracking of prospects, and donors.
• Commitment to the ideals and culture of higher education. 
• A proven ability to build strong relationships anchored in trust and integrity. 
• The ability to effectively work in a group/team environment to assist in intra-divisional initiatives.

Critical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability and desire to engage in face to face relationship activities, primarily through the scheduling of one-on-one appointments with donor prospects who have never been engaged with NIU.
• Ability and willingness to travel to meet donors and prospects in their homes and offices.
• Business proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Access and Excel, including the tabulation of budget figures, creation of scenario planning tools and merging files; experience in enterprise systems for event and scheduling management.
• Familiarity with fundraising tools. Knowledge of computerized systems of donor record keeping, data tracking of prospects, and donors.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication skills as there will be strong interactions with both internal and external constituents.
• The ability to synthesize multiple sources of information.
• Ability and willingness to travel, sometimes extensively; and to work extra hours, nights and weekends to ensure the job is done exceptionally well; Ability to work autonomously, as well as manage several constituents.
• Experience working within a matrixed organizational structure where performance responsibilities are evaluated in different divisions.
• The ability to think critically and strategically; capable of taking responsibility for specific goals within designated time frames. Capable of coordinating multi-task initiatives to successful conclusion.
• A flexible attitude and clear ability to modify and adapt as situations and conditions change, as well as a resilience with regard to the rigors of public higher education and the increasing pressure of resource constraints.
• A proven ability to build strong relationships anchored in trust and integrity. 

Salary: Commensurate with experience and internal equity; position includes eligible benefits.

Application Materials and Process:

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter that speaks to the following aspects of experience, as listed in the education and experience requirements:
  1. development and alumni relations fields.
  2. diverse engagement strategies, populations and philanthropic planning.
  3. commitment to the highest standard of ethical and professional conduct.
  4. familiarity with the “moves management” approach to major gift fundraising.
  5. working within a matrixed organizational structure.
  6. A flexible attitude.
• List of three references
• Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)

Please submit application and documents through NIU online employment system at https://www.niu.edu/work-at-niu/advancement/associate-director-planned-giving.shtml by June 30, 2021. Applications will continue to be received until the position has been filled. However, to ensure full consideration, applications must be received by June 30, 2021. For questions, contact Melissa Nigro, mnigro@niu.edu.

Northern Illinois University is an AA/EEO institution. Pre-employment background check and verification of eligibility to work in the United States is required.