Job Details

Posting Details

About WesternU

As you take your first step onto a Western University of Health Sciences campus, each path, each person, each structure comes with a transformative story. WesternU is more than the practice of medicine. We are defined by character and culture.

At WesternU, you will discover humanism at the heart of every interaction: a warm welcome, a sincere smile, a positive word, a kind deed, a thoughtful gesture. You will see students work together on case studies; a parade of pets in campus parks; student clubs offering opportunities for career growth and community involvement; and faculty, staff and students designing their future and the future of WesternU. We display a collaborative mindset in how we operate, educate, and serve others.

Although, geographically, we are two campuses - as humanists, we are one: to enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities and achieve excellence in everything we do. We attract diverse, professional faculty, staff and students that thrive in an environment of humanistic health care education. Join our team of faculty and staff and make a difference.

Posting Details

Position Title
Planned Giving Program Director

Position Control Number
A03129

Type of Position
Administration

Position Status
Full-time

Department
5501-External Relations

Campus
Western University Campus-Lebanon, OR

Position Location
Oregon

Job Summary

The Planned Giving Program Director is vital in WesternU's efforts to secure resources for its strategic funding initiatives and strengthen connections with alumni, parents, and friends of the University. Aligning with the University's comprehensive strategic plan, this role operates both independently and collaboratively to craft and execute strategies with current and potential donors who will commit to legacy or planned gifts.

Planned Giving Program Director spearheads donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans to maximize this significant period for WesternU, aiming to meet the objectives of an ambitious campaign plan. As the University intensifies its campaign and ongoing development efforts, planned gifts are anticipated to significantly contribute to the campaign's success.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Development, the Director of Planned Giving will establish and manage a portfolio that encompasses the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a select portfolio of prospects. Beyond their individual contributions, the Director will help shape and achieve the vision and goals of the Planned Giving program and must collaborate effectively with senior University administrators, other development team members, and various schools, colleges, and centers of distinction to identify funding opportunities and devise strategies for converting prospects to donors.

They will play a crucial role in achieving the University's development objectives, enhancing the University's culture, adding value to the Planned Giving program, expanding outreach and engagement with alumni and friends, and increasing the planned gift pipeline, ultimately making a substantial impact on the University's mission and strategic goals. Successful candidates will have a proven track record and can emphasize the importance of building internal and external relationships as it pertains to Planned Giving or their previous experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Individuals must possess the knowledge, as well as the following skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

1. Experience maintaining a rigorous individual moves management process. Demonstrated ability to close major and/or principal gifts on a regular basis.

2. Proven success at fundraising by developing and implementing strategic plans that incorporate concise goals, targeted audiences, and fundraising strategies in-line with institutional needs.

3. Advanced knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, stewardship, communications, public relations, and alumni relations; the ability to apply this knowledge to achieve stated goals.

4. Ability to work effectively with deans and directors, academic and university leaders, and volunteers to achieve fundraising goals.

5. Advanced written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies. Ability to make persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives for a location to secure gifts.

6. Commitment to conveying professional appearance and demeanor that represents the incumbent, the College(s), and the University.

7. Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously, while taking direction from multiple individuals; ability to prioritize multiple assignments.

8. Must work in team environments and can leverage colleagues' skills to accomplish a goal.

9. Strong organization skills and ability to maintain progress on multiple assignments over a broad spectrum of activities.

10. Familiarity with advancement relationship management systems (Raiser's Edge, RENXT, or Banner), electronic information systems, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and electronic mail software.

11. Adhere strictly to Donor Bill of Rights, the ethical guidelines promulgated by CASE or other professional organizations and apply these to the duties. Strong sense of ethical conduct that will inspire confidence and motivation with the proven ability to persuade colleagues and prospects.

12. Ability to maintain confidentiality within professional standards, FERPA, HIPAA, and other related regulations.

13. Advanced organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills, including skill in creative and effective decision-making and problem identification/avoidance/resolution, and strong project management skills.

Required Qualifications

1. EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in a related field is required. Juris Doctor, LLM, MLS, or equivalent preferred.

2. EXPERIENCE: 5 years solid fundraising experience including closing major gifts from individuals. Has a proven track record in setting and achieving ambitious goals. Excellent written, oral and presentation skills required.

3. Successful professional experience, preferably at an institution of higher education or a sales-driven organization related to Planned Giving and/or sales objective.

Preferred Qualifications

Essential Job Duties

Key Responsibilities

Solicitation and Portfolio Management

• Initiate, guide, and carry out solicitations to secure planned gifts, prioritizing those valued at $100,000 and above. These planned gifts may include documented bequests, life income gifts, IRAs, life insurance, real estate, business interests, and other appreciated assets.
• Cultivate and expand the University's planned gift expectancy pipeline to contribute significantly to the upcoming comprehensive campaign goal.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive and dynamic portfolio encompassing prospects at all stages of the donor solicitation cycle. Conduct face-to-face meetings to qualify, engage, solicit, and steward planned giving donors and prospects.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 120 Planned Giving prospects, aiming for 8-10 face-to-face visits per month.
• Progress prospects through the discovery, cultivation, and solicitation phases, aiming to raise assigned annual revenue goals in life income gifts, bequest expectancies, and other planned and major gifts.
• Produce accurate, well-written, and timely follow-up materials, including comprehensive proposals, budgets, contact reports, cover letters, thank you letters, emails, reports, and briefings to support the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of assigned prospects.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Collaboration and Engagement

• Work closely with University stakeholders to devise strategies for assigned planned giving prospects, leading to successful planned gift solicitations.
• Collaborate with other Directors of Development in preparing, explaining, and soliciting planned and blended gifts.
• Lead the creation of engagement and solicitation strategies for qualified planned giving prospects, oversee their implementation, and personally drive their execution. This includes working with academic leaders, development officers, and donors' professional advisors to develop donor-centered proposals involving various assets and priorities.
• Participate in selected estate, financial, or planned giving councils to develop effective relationships with member professionals and referrals, and assume leadership positions when appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

Operational and Professional Development

• Track and record activities related to assigned prospects using Blackbaud RENXT and regularly report to the Assistant Vice President, Development.
• Adhere to gift acceptance policies and procedures through appropriate internal channels. Actively participate in the sharing of information and collaborating with colleagues respectfully and professionally to foster a healthy and positive work environment.
• Promote a healthy, fair, and inclusive workplace by encouraging diversity, teamwork, and collaboration with diverse groups, donors, volunteer groups, and coworkers.
• Maintain knowledge of University priorities to develop and align prospects' philanthropic interests.
• Keep abreast of charitable tax, financial, and estate planning law.
• Assist donors in the acceptance process for outright and life income gifts of real and personal property, including due diligence procedures and IRS compliance for charitable gifts.
• Support planned giving marketing and communications efforts in partnership with the Director of Donor Outreach Initiatives.
• Enhance professional expertise by maintaining membership in selected national and regional planned giving associations, consulting with fellow gift planners, and staying updated on planned giving and related professional literature.

Key Responsibilities

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Recommend initiatives and implement changes to enhance quality and services.
• Identify problems, determine their causes, and develop recommendations to improve established processes and practices.
• Maintain contact with external constituents and solicit feedback for improved university relations.
• Maximize productivity through appropriate tools, training, and performance initiatives.
• Research and develop resources to create timely and efficient workflows.
• Prepare progress reports, keep the supervisor informed of project status, and ensure the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of all operational functions.
• Develop and implement guidelines to support the functions of the unit.
• Other duties as assigned.

Posting Details Continued

Work Schedule

The working hours will be 8am-5pm with some nights and weekend hours.

Working at WesternU

We believe in making an impact in the lives of our employees, personally, and professionally. Every employee has different individual and/or family needs. We offer benefits that are both comprehensive and flexible to address your unique needs. We believe work-life harmony is positive and achievable.

We offer competitive salaries, generous paid time off, insurance plans, reimbursements, and retirement benefits. Additionally,
•Our faculty, staff, and administrators are 100% focused on student success.
•Our University culture creates the context for a nurturing and supportive environment.
•Faculty, staff, and students can expect to make deep, personal relationships within the University community.
•As a Faculty, Staff, or Student at WesternU, you can focus on work that you love, be your authentic self, and lead to the future with innovation in health sciences.
•WesternU's core value of humanism encourages all to bring their whole self in all that they do.
•We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, equity, collaboration, and fun at all levels for all people!

Expected Pay Scale

Minimum
$125,000.00

Maximum
$150,000.00