• Job Description

  Req#: 12278

  Get to Know American University

  At American University we value open and honest inquiry, servant leadership, and the affirmation of the human dignity of all. We envision a thriving AU community where individuals of all identities and experiences are understood, appreciated, and fully included, and where equitable treatment, opportunities, and outcomes prevail.

  Our diverse community of students, faculty, and staff represent every state and more than 150 countries. Our internationally recognized faculty are today's thought leaders in the areas of public policy, law, the arts, communications, international development, and more. Our staff are innovative, service-oriented, and dedicated to moving the university towards achieving its strategic goals. We are committed to an excellent experience for all of our students, faculty and staff and share a passion for creating change through our knowledge and our work.

  Learn more about American University by clicking here.

  How to Apply

  To apply, please visit the Charity Search Group's application page and submit your application.

  Summary/Objective

  The Director of Planned Giving is a major gifts fundraiser at American University responsible for managing a dynamic, affinity-based prospect portfolio with giving capacities of $50,000 and above with special emphasis on securing commitments of $100,000 to $1,000,000+. The Director of Planned Giving reports directly to the Executive Director of Planned Giving and serves as a key member of the Office of Planned Giving by helping develop and execute a range of strategic initiatives as it relates to American University’s historic Change Can’t Wait campaign as well as broader, long term priorities. The Director of Planned Giving provides expertise in the areas of structured giving, including outright current, blended, and deferred giving as it relates to comprehensive charitable estate planning.

  The Director of Planned Giving works within an entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment and is responsible for independently managing a portfolio of 75+ prospects and donors by closely collaborating with peer fundraisers in the Office of Planned Giving; throughout the Office of University Advancement, including: university-wide leadership annual giving, schools, colleges, units; and central administration to design and implement major/planned gift strategies that strengthen the university’s donor base.

  As part of the Director of Planned Giving’s responsibilities, they serve as part of the Office of Planned Giving’s marketing team. The Director of Planned Giving supports an existing multi-channel marketing strategy designed to educate university constituents on the benefits of strategic charitable estate planning, highlight the impact of philanthropy on university priorities, and encourage prospects to self-identify their interest.

  The Director of Planned Giving will be responsible for assuring that pertinent information and strategic moves for assigned prospects are properly recorded in the institutional database.

  Essential Functions

  1. Prospect Management: The Director of Planned Giving’s primary focus is prospect management in the form of direct prospect engagement and support of independent advisors working with clients structuring their philanthropic relationship with American University. In this capacity the Director of Planned Giving is involved with all levels of portfolio-based prospect engagement including: identification/discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, gift closure, and stewardship. The Director of Planned Giving collaborates with members of the Office of Planned Giving, as well as major gift officer colleagues across the division with a focus on soliciting and securing outright gifts, gifts of complex or unique assets, gifts-in-kind, revocable designations, and irrevocable gifts such as charitable lead trusts, charitable remainder trusts, or charitable gift annuities, and outlining the gift details and purpose in agreements and memorandum of understanding.
  2. Marketing: The Director of Planned Giving supports American University’s comprehensive, multi-channel gift planning marketing efforts within their suite of responsibilities. Marketing efforts highlight the impact of philanthropy at the university and are designed to educate university constituents on the value and opportunity of charitable estate planning and encourage prospects to self-identify their interest in, or the prior execution of, a charitable estate plan benefitting the university.
  3. Education and Training: The Director of Planned Giving serves on the Office of Planned Giving Team as a professional, educational resource to the University’s Development Office front line central and school-based fundraisers and supports Office of Planned Giving collaboration with advancement units of associated university programs, including the Washington College of Law and WAMU 88.5 American University Radio.
  4. Other Duties As Assigned: The Director of Planned Giving carries out tasks as assigned by the Assistant Vice President, University Programs, Executive Director of Planned Giving and other senior Development personnel.

  Work Environment

  • Local and regional (domestic) travel in line with strategic opportunities within prospect portfolio and discovery base.

  Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

  • Full Time (35+ hours/week).
  • Team Leader/Consultant B.
  • Exempt.

  Salary Range

  • Commensurate with experience.

  Required Education and Experience

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
  • 5-8 years of relevant experience.

  Preferred Education and Experience

  • Master's degree.
  • 8-10 years of relevant experience.

  Additional Eligibility Qualifications

  • Demonstration of progressively responsible experience in institutional development with emphasis on major gifts from individuals and organizations, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Integrity and trust with a demonstrated ability to manage highly confidential information.
  • Ability to manage a busy office with competing demands; not easily flustered nor easily overwhelmed by a high volume of activity and projects.
  • Familiarity with planned giving modelling software preferred (PG Calc, Crescendo, or similar).
  • Familiarity with databases and/or other fundraising systems, and strong command of MS Office Suite of products.

  Benefits

  AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

  Other Details

  • Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
  • Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
  • Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

  Current American University Employees

  If you are a current employee at American University, please log into AsuccessfulU through the myAU portal. Once in AsuccessfulU, please select the Careers tile which will take you to our internal career page.

  Contact Us

  For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

  American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.

• About the company

  American University is a leader among Washington DC universities in global education. American University enrolls a diverse student body from throughout the United States and nearly 140 countries.

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