Job Summary
The Director of Development for Gift Planning provides significant and essential support for the growth of the University's deferred gifts program and will serve as a mentor and resource to front line fundraisers in cultivating and securing planned gifts. The Director of Development directly manages a dynamic portfolio of prospects and donors, and is centrally involved in activities related to promotion of and stewardship for the Drexel Legacy Society.
This is a hybrid position, expected to go into the office weekly. Candidates must live in the greater Philadelphia area.
Essential Functions
- Develop strategies to qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors in order to secure charitable gifts, including life income gifts, bequests, and major outright gifts.
- Manage an active portfolio of up to 150 planned giving prospects/donors and engage directly in planned giving gift identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individuals across the US, with specific emphasis on building/maintaining relationships with planned giving prospects/donors located on the West Coast.
- Conduct at least 90 face-to-face visits with donors/prospects per fiscal year.
- Support the efforts of gift officers across Institutional Advancement by providing as-needed consultation on gift planning and stewardship strategies for individual donors and prospects.
- Collaborate with the Gift Planning team on development/implementation of stewardship efforts, targeted events and other engagement activities for members of the Drexel Legacy Society (recognition group for donors with documented planned gifts).
- Attend University fundraising events as appropriate; this may include some evenings and weekends.
- Maintain current knowledge of University-wide institutional priorities and promote University campus goals and college/school-specific objectives to constituents.
- Keep abreast of current tax laws and planned giving trends.
- Adhere to Institutional Advancement procedures as documented in the University's Gift Acceptance policy.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
- Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.
- Minimum of 7 years of related experience
- Experience in estate planning, deferred gifts and relationship management.
- Detailed and in-depth knowledge of planned giving and its complexity, including wills, trusts, life income gifts and related tax laws/regulations.
- Comprehensive understanding of planned gift vehicles, and the ability to present them to donors and prospects in a simple and thorough manner.
- Ability to be highly motivated individual committed to personal outreach, gift solicitation and achieving specific goals for substantive visits with donors and prospects.
- Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends
- Ability to travel domestically several times a year.
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
- Valid Driver's License.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in development and/or marketing or sales of financial instruments.
- Law degree or Estate/Gift Planning certification.
- Experience with prospect management systems.
Location
- Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangement
Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade N. Compensation for this grade ranges from $90,430 - $135,640 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.
Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel's compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.
Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.
A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.
Drexel University
Apr 25, 2025