Director of Development - Gift Planning

As a development officer on the gift planning team, you will meet frequently with donors face‑to‑face in their homes, at events, or hosting at a restaurant or coffee shop. Working each day to connect donors’ philanthropic interests with campus priorities, you will blend your professional knowledge, relationship management skills, and talent with philanthropic strategies.

Based on qualifications and experience, a selected candidate may hold one of these job titles:
Associate Director of Development, Director of Development, or Senior Director of Development. Core Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors giving planned gifts. This activity will focus on presenting quality proposals of $100,000 or more and will be part of managing a major gift prospect portfolio of approximately 125 prospects.
• Prepare life‑income gift illustrations and prepare estate gift proposals for presentation to donors and their professional advisors detailing tax consequences and benefits. Prepare and present cash gift proposals to donors where appropriate based on donor’s circumstances and preference.
• Stay abreast and be knowledgeable of current tax legislation related to planned giving; communicate tax legislation changes to prospective and current donors to enhance the ability to close or upgrade planned gifts through estate assets.
• Travel extensively both locally and nationally (up to 50% depending on portfolio assignment and travel territories) to establish and nurture long‑lasting, strong donor relationships with the end goal of proposing and closing major gift donations.
• Communicate in a variety of ways for a variety of purposes. You will write donor correspondence, contact reports and proposals, and provide briefings on program status. You will also communicate the foundation’s role and donor’s wishes to key campus and foundation staff.

Qualifications Education & Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or appropriate related years of experience. Degree preferred.
• 3+ years of professional experience in any of the following areas: major gift fundraising, non‑profit work, higher education, sales, communications, wealth management, or another related field.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Ability to achieve ambitious goals. You should have a remarkable track record for leading successful initiatives with measurable results.
• Savvy relationship‑building and leadership skills and be an excellent communicator. You should be articulate and persuasive with diplomacy and tact to represent the foundation to multiple constituents, donors, and campus leadership. You must also have demonstrable skills in persuasive speaking and influencing others.
• Problem‑solving skills and resourcefulness. You can champion donor‑centeredness by understanding the desires of the donors and creating simple solutions.
• Ability to communicate complex gifting arrangements in a simple, but thorough manner.
• Collaborative style, ability, and desire to work in a team‑based environment, a dedicated work ethic, and a positive and professional attitude.
• Ability to multi‑task, manage and organize multiple initiatives.
• Ability to use a variety of software applications.
• Creativity, patience, a sense of humor and a belief in our organizational mission of:
  Aligning donor passion and generosity to advance Iowa State University’s land grant ideals.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Ames, IA; potentially hybrid

For additional information, visit the following pages:

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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