Director of Development, Gift Planning

Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, Gift Planning, the Director of Development, Gift Planning will serve as a planned giving officer on behalf of the Division of University Relations at the University of Maryland. The successful candidate will be responsible for the identification of major gift prospects/donors and for the application of planned giving techniques/strategies to secure future estate/trust gift commitments, with a focus on blended gift outcomes (combined outright and planned giving). They will identify and engage regional development markets in collaboration with development colleagues and maintain development travel schedules. This person will initiate first alumni contact for the university and coordinate with all development staff and gift stewardship activities with donor relations.

The Director of Development, Gift Planning will work closely with college/unit fundraising programs, Leadership Annual Giving, Regional Giving, Central teams, and the Alumni Association on donor/gift strategies. Further, they will develop a major gifts pipeline ($50,000 and above) to build a qualified prospect base for the university. They will serve as a liaison between the faculty, staff, students, and potential supporters (primarily individuals). Similarly, they will also serve as a liaison among the faculty and staff of the assigned unit(s) and/or project(s), and the Office of the Vice President for University Relations.

The position requires the availability to work evenings and weekends. Regular local travel is required and out of area travel approximately 25% to 40% of the time.   Education (include licenses, certifications, etc.):
Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience: 

• 7 years of fundraising or closely related experience, with at least 5 of those years in the planned giving field. 
• Demonstrated success in major gifts fundraising while applying planned giving expertise to gift strategies and structures. 
• Experience staffing donor volunteers.

 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Self-motivated, disciplined professional with the ability to assertively create and cultivate relationships with donors and collaborate with colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to strategize, solicit and close major gifts ($50,000 and above) and principal gifts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to relate with department chairs, center directors, and research faculty in order to articulate our priorities, accomplishments, and aspirations to these diverse external audiences.
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively in a large university with an integrated development program.
• Ability to work with a CRM platform and planned giving software packages.