Overview

Hillsdale College seeks a full-time Gift & Estate Planning Director to help coordinate our ongoing fundraising and operational office needs. Reporting to the Executive Director of Gift & Estate Planning, this professional must have an established background in coordinating nonprofit donation strategies, a strong record of closing major gifts, and staff/volunteer leadership. This role will involve organizing Gift & Estate Planning’s different fundraising initiatives, including financial planning and deferred giving opportunities. The Director will manage daily office activities and build healthy working relationships with fellow Gift Officers, GEP office staff, and members from other Hillsdale departments. The Director will also assist with cultivating and completing planned gifts, as well as serving as the subject area expert for donor and staff inquiries. Our ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of fundraising experience, preferably in the education and nonprofit fields, in addition to a familiarity with using CRM nonprofit software, donor databases and other fundraising technologies. This position is based on campus in Hillsdale, Michigan. Some travel may be required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• A Bachelor's degree is required,
• Professional Certifications/Trainings in Finance, Estate Planning, Tax Law, Fundraising, or similar areas are preferred.
• An advanced degree in business, finance or law is desired.
• 5+ years of fundraising development and team leadership experience in a nonprofit setting.
• A history of training and managing staff members is preferred.
• Familiarity with bequests, annuities, unitrusts, giving through retirement plans, and other pertinent future giving options is desired.

Other Skills

• Superb written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with all age groups.
• Outstanding time management and a willingness to be flexible.
• Organizational skills, particularly planning, managing deadlines, and evaluating progress.
• Knowledge of fundraising software and tools, Microsoft Office, Blackbaud CRM, and Crescendo planned giving software.
• Creative, self-directed, takes initiative, and willing to learn.
• Organized and inspiring team leader.
• A strategic mindset and a solid understanding of how to craft processes that are complementary to a variety of work styles.
• A comprehensive understanding of current laws regarding taxability of donations and a commitment to remain updated with actual and potential future changes to tax law.

Personal Characteristics

The Gift and Estate Planning Office interacts with current donors and potential donors.  A neat appearance and a pleasant relationship that is supportive of the College mission is essential.  This relationship needs to be pleasant, supportive and professional, while maintaining confidentiality at all times.

Physical Requirements

Ability to read, write, hear, speak, see, and communicate effectively. Ability to operate basic office equipment. Occasional lifting of office supplies, booklets, files, and heavy packages, as necessary.

Code of Commitment

Be a good representative of Hillsdale College to promote the liberal arts, the College’s original Articles of Association and operating principles stated in the Staff Code of Commitment. The Mission Statement should be considered in all aspects of the position. The teaching of Christian faith shall remain a conspicuous aim of the College.

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Responsibilities

Office/Staff Functions:

• Working closely with the Executive Director to determine and execute the mission, purpose, and priorities of the Gift & Estate Planning office.
• Managing the overall daily office functions and maintain oversight on upcoming events, programs, and marketing efforts to ensure officers, staff, and materials are prepared.
• Supervise 5-6 support staff members, conduct annual goal setting, and quarterly goal reviews as a team. Maintain office moral and structure.

• Training staff to communicate about and successfully complete planned gifts, while assisting fellow Gift Officers with more complicated gifts.
• Serving as the expert in overseeing GEP needs in CRM database, creating documentation, forms, and other reference material to ensure data is tracked accurately and consistently.

Technical Expertise:

• Communicating technical gift information with donors, officers and staff via email, phone or face-to-face conversations.
• Answering donor and staff inquiries about various planned gifts or the Gift & Estate Planning office in a timely fashion.
• Analyzing donors’ financial preferences and guiding them through the process of establishing and funding a planned gift that best fits their current/future situation.
• Coordinating planned and unplanned campus visits to answer donors’ questions and familiarize guests with Hillsdale’s various forms of gift vehicles.
• Prepare gift illustrations and corresponding cover letters for donors using third-party Crescendo software; assist other members of the team in creation of complex gift illustrations.

Marketing/Events:

• Assisting with creation and managing the distribution of solicitation materials which incudes, but is not limited to, print material, websites, publications, and newsletters.
• Remaining up to date about Hillsdale’s many special programs and priorities to help donors direct their giving.
• Assist in creation and execution of various Pop-Up Events across the country.
• Occasionally attending evening/weekend activities, meetings, events, seminars, workshops, etc.

This description may be ever-changing through departmental grown and institutional changes.

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