Specialist, Gift Planning

Specialist, Gift Planning

As an integral member of the Gift Planning team at Stony Brook University, the Coordinator provides strategic and administrative support to the Executive Director and Senior Director of Gift Planning. This position requires attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously. The successful candidate will manage complex projects and timelines across donor education, stewardship, and marketing initiatives, coordinate multi‑channel outreach, oversee logistics for donor‑facing events and webinars, and execute targeted communications.

The Coordinator also leads operational components of the estate administration process and marketing program, maintains tracking systems and reports, and contributes to team infrastructure and culture through process development and cross‑functional collaboration. Ideal candidates will be proactive, collaborative, and able to work independently as well as part of a small team that works across the entirety of the University. A willingness to ask questions to learn about fundraising, legal, and tax matters as they pertain to philanthropy is also required.

• Bachelor’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher).
• Two (2) years of full‑time work experience.
• Experience working in a university, nonprofit, government or municipal environment, law firm, large healthcare system and/or related field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and/or Google Workspace.

• At least one (1) additional year of full‑time work experience.
• Experience with fundraising, philanthropy, alumni relations, donor cultivation, events, and/or stewardship practices.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM software.

• Marketing and Donor Education
  :
  Lead production and distribution of Pentera newsletters, targeted e‑blasts, and donor education placements across partner departments. Spearhead planning and execution of donor‑facing webinars, including list generation, content coordination, and post‑event engagement.
• Legacy Society Stewardship
  :
  Manage Legacy Society calendar and content development for stewardship touchpoints (e.g., newsletters, birthday outreach, events). Conduct personalized outreach for assigned prospects and maintain accurate coding in Raiser’s Edge.
• Estate Administration
  :
  Track estate gifts, assist with estate paperwork, and manage annual filings for CGAs. Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to monitor estate status and ensure timely follow‑up.
• Data & Reporting
  :
  Run monthly donor reports related to complex giving vehicles (IRA, Stock, DAF), maintain accurate coding in Raiser’s Edge, and analyze Pentera and Give Campus metrics to inform strategy and outreach.
• Administrative Support
  :
  Manage departmental logistics including credit card reconciliation, departmental budget reconciliation, calendar oversight, and interdepartmental correspondence. Ensure timely completion of all major projects and deadlines.
• External Engagement
  :
  Demonstrates willingness and professionalism in speaking with external prospects, donors, attorneys, and other advisors, as well as faculty, staff, and internal fundraisers.
• Other duties as assigned.

The Research Foundation of SUNY is a private educational corporation. Employment is subject to the Research Foundation policies and procedures, sponsor guidelines and the availability of funding. This is a full‑time appointment. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.

For this position, we are unable to sponsor candidates for work visas.

Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

If you need a disability‑related accommodation, please call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at  or visit OEA.

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The starting salary range (or hiring range) to be offered for this position is noted below, it represents SBU’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.