Executive Director of Planned Giving

VCU is a public research university unlike any other. We're dedicated to serving the needs of students and patients and our passionate community isn't afraid to tackle difficult challenges others can't or won't. We’re home to creativity, teaching, discovery and healing. Our location in the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia, means the nonstop energy of our city ignites our innovation and provides unlimited opportunities.

The mission of VCU’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to maximize philanthropic support by engaging stakeholders with our institution working in partnership with all VCU schools, programs and campuses as one development and alumni relations community and implementing the best practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensive development program.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Planned Giving, the Executive Director of Planned Giving will serve as a premier philanthropic advisor, subject matter expert, and collaborative partner for fundraisers, donors, and their professional advisors. This role provides strategic counsel and architects sophisticated blended gift strategies to drive significant philanthropic investment across the health sciences, including the School of Medicine, VCU Health System, Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Public Health, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Professions, School of Dentistry, and School of Nursing.

The Executive Director partners closely with frontline fundraisers and their teams to identify, cultivate and secure gifts that combine current and future commitments that help donors achieve their philanthropic goals while advancing the mission of the organization.

• Collaborate with the AVP of Planned Giving to develop fundraising goals and strategies to increase current, blended, and deferred gifts benefiting VCU.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for constituents, fundraisers, professional advisors, and colleagues on tax-advantaged and deferred ways of giving, including gifts through wills, living trusts, retirement plans, donor-advised funds, appreciated securities, real estate, life insurance, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, and other gift vehicles, donor accounts and assets.
• Provide strategic support to fundraisers and fundraising teams to develop and execute proposals that maximize the current and deferred giving potential of their donors and prospects.
• Partner with fundraisers as a team member on a portfolio of donors and prospective donors and meet with them to secure current, blended, and deferred gifts for the benefit of VCU.
• Develop and execute a process to track and manage the office’s 2,000+ highly rated planned giving prospects in collaboration with prospect development and unit based teams.
• Design and deliver planned giving training workshops, along with related materials, for fundraisers and DAR colleagues.
• Track and report on the results of planned giving efforts.
• Use software to prepare gift illustrations and proposals for planned gifts.
• Partner with Philanthropic Services to ensure planned gifts are accurately recorded, credited, and designated.
• Help to identify opportunities to promote and increase planned giving through partnerships with the strategic engagement team and reunion events.
• Collaborate with DAR colleagues and foundation partners to support the stewardship program for legacy society members.
• Remain current on developments in the estate and planned giving fields, and use industry data and current best practices to inform VCU's strategy.
• Provide support for a multi-faceted marketing and communications plan to increase current, deferred, and blended gifts for the benefit of VCU.
• Participate in and provide support for special projects, programs, and events related to planned giving.

• Demonstrate appreciation for the mission and aspirations of VCU;
• Display a strong commitment to organizational success and delivering on individual responsibilities as a university citizen;
• Demonstrate a commitment to the pursuit of excellence, high…