Director of Planned Giving

ABOUT SIMMONS

Located in Boston’s historic Fenway area, Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons was founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders. Today, our university continues to grow and evolve and now offers Boston’s only women’s undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all.

You’re joining our community at an especially exciting time as we continue to innovate for the future. Simmons recently launched a six-school academic structure that leverages our expert faculty and longstanding expertise in professions that make our communities stronger. In addition, we continue to highlight our high-value education proposition that is delivering greater ROI to students and putting them on the fast track to career growth and success.

You’ll find that people who work here truly believe in our mission of preparing students to become social justice-oriented leaders who excel in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace.

As a university that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices—at all levels, for all positions—ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.

Simmons University seeks an experienced and strategic Director of Planned Giving to lead and expand its comprehensive planned giving program. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement, the Director will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding planned and deferred gifts from alumnae/i, trustees, parents, and friends to support the University’s long-term financial strength.

This role requires a seasoned fundraising professional with a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in gift planning, major gifts, or related development work, and a proven track record of securing a wide range of planned gifts at various levels of complexity. The ideal candidate is a results-oriented, collaborative leader with deep technical knowledge of charitable estate planning/planned giving and excellent interpersonal skills.

• Develop, lead, and manage the University’s planned giving strategies, incorporating bequests, charitable trusts, gift annuities, and other deferred giving vehicles.
• Personally manage a portfolio of 150+ planned giving prospects and donors, moving them through the donor cycle from identification through stewardship.
• Collaborate with AVP of Advancement and Campaign Director to support the front-line fundraising team to integrate planned giving strategies into broader development and stewardship efforts.
• Develop and implement marketing and communications plans to promote planned giving, including digital campaigns, print materials, and targeted outreach.
• In collaboration with the Donor Relations and Stewardship team, design and implement recognition and stewardship programs and events for the John Simmons Society members.
• Collaborate with donors and their advisors on complex charitable giving vehicles in coordination with appropriate internal stakeholders, ensuring compliance with IRS and Simmons University policies.
• Working with Advancement Services colleagues, track and report on planned giving activity and metrics; maintain accurate records in the donor CRM, Raiser’s Edge.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on charitable estate and financial planning within the Office of Advancement, including providing training and support to advancement staff on planned giving fundamentals, as deemed necessary.
• Serve as a member of the Advancement Leadership Group, attending meetings and performing other necessary duties.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree…