Associate Director of Gift Planning

Gettysburg College, in historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is seeking a full-time Associate Director of Gift Planning to work for the Office of Gift Planning. The office is part of the division of College Advancement, which works to advance the mission of Gettysburg College by securing financial resources, facilitating volunteerism, and promoting engagement with alumni, parents, and other supporters of the College. Gettysburg College is a highly selective, residential undergraduate liberal arts college, which enrolls approximately 2,600 students.  This position reports to the Director of Gift Planning.

The primary responsibility of the Associate Director of Gift Planning is to assist in the design, marketing and management of the College’s Gift Planning program. This position is responsible for managing the ongoing identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of assigned planned and leadership gift donors and prospects.

Responsibilities include:

• Assists in design and implementation of strategies to enhance awareness and understanding of, as well as increased support through, planned and leadership gifts from all constituent groups of the College.
• Travels widely to carry out duties; visits and solicits, both in-person and virtually, gift planning and leadership gift donors and prospects, alone or in conjunction with leadership gift officers, with a goal of 12 prospect visits per month.
• Provides staff support for special campaigns or other fundraising initiatives as circumstances warrant.
• Assists Director of Gift Planning in creation and coordination of marketing communication materials.
• Assists with the coordination of College’s Gift Planning website and quarterly Gift Planning newsletter.
• Assists Director of Gift Planning with 1832 Society events and other duties as assigned during Homecoming and Reunion weekends.
• Together with the Director of Gift Planning, coordinates gift planning strategies with gift officers for donors between their 45th and 50th reunion, and beyond.
• Assists Director of Gift Planning with overall 50th reunion gift planning strategy and serves as the gift planning representative on the 50th reunion committee.
• Manages and administers estate gifts through probate and gift collection process.
• Oversees the completion of annual state charitable gift annuity reporting.
• Assists in the development of monthly gift planning professional development and training opportunities for gift officers.
• Supports teamwork and cooperation within College Advancement through active leadership and technical advice. 
• Cultivates attorneys and financial advisors who may be able to direct gift planning prospects to the College.
• Coordinates with research staff to identify new gift planning prospects.
• Actively manages a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects.
• Works with assigned donors/prospects and their attorneys and financial advisors in execution of planned gifts; prepares gift illustrations for various types of planned gifts.
• Prepares endowment fund and other gift agreements and proposals. 
• Maintains records and reports on gift planning donors and prospects in Advance; enters prospect, proposal and contact report information; generates reports as needed.
• Visits and stewards assigned gift planning and leadership gift donors; writes correspondence; coordinates on-campus visits and other stewardship opportunities with donors.
• Keeps abreast of changes in tax laws and philanthropic trends related to gift planning arrangements.
• Responsible for supervision of Administrative Assistant during the absence of Director of Gift Planning. 
• Other duties as assigned.

This role has frequent contact with alumni, parents, and friends of the College, including Trustees and other volunteers as well as their professional advisors. Internally, this position will have significant interaction with gift officers and Annual Giving staff, as well as other faculty, staff, and administrators, both inside and outside of College Advancement.

In keeping with its strategic focus, Gettysburg College is interested in candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to participating in building an inclusive, equitable, and diverse campus community.

A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of three to five years of development experience or relevant background in financial planning, wealth management, or estate planning is required. Experience in gift planning is strongly preferred, while gift planning or leadership gift experience in a higher education setting is preferred. A demonstrated record of achievement in gift planning, leadership giving, annual giving, and/or estate, financial, or wealth planning is desirable. A background in law is beneficial.

The successful candidate will be adaptable and able to build meaningful professional relationships with a wide variety of prospects of different backgrounds, cultures, and circumstances. A willingness to travel extensively to various geographic regions to meet with prospects is a must. The ability to state the case for philanthropic support through gift planning is required.

Gettysburg College is interested in candidates who demonstrate knowledge of gift planning vehicles, financial literacy, fundraising theories, and the ability to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gift planning and leadership donors and prospects. Candidates should have exceptional oral and written communication skills; be highly motivated and able to motivate others; work harmoniously with various individuals and be committed to teamwork; be able to foster and develop new relationships; demonstrate strong organization skills; and treat confidential material with the appropriate sensitivity and discretion. 

Driving is an essential function of this position; therefore, a valid driver’s license and a favorable driving record as outlined by the College’s fleet policy is required.   

The Associate Director of Gift Planning is a 12 month, full-time administrative appointment.  Salary is commensurate with experience and is complemented by an excellent benefits package. 

Please visit our website to submit application materials (cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references) through our online system:  https://gettysburg.peopleadmin.com/postings/3849 

Application materials received by September 7, 2021 will receive full consideration. Gettysburg College is committed to creating a more diversity community. As part of that process, the College encourages candidates from historically underrepresented groups to apply.

Gettysburg College, an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal, state, local laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and admission. The College prohibits discrimination and harassment, and provides equal opportunity without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital/familial status, possession of a General Education Development Certificate (GED) as compared to a high school diploma, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex, age, or genetic information in all aspects of employment, educational programs, activities, and admissions. Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, Gettysburg College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (i.e., which includes but is not limited to the prohibition of sexual misconduct and relationship violence, including sexual assault and harassment) in all of its educational programs and activities.