General Description
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Planned Giving, the Planned Giving Officer (PGO) is primarily responsible for establishing relationships and soliciting and securing principal and major deferred and/or non-cash gifts ("planned gifts") as part of a comprehensive planned giving program, in coordination with the AVP. The PGO formulates specific gift strategies and works with the AVP to implement a coordinated planned giving program that assists development officers in identifying planned giving opportunities and provides materials and training programs to convert those opportunities into gifts.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Identify, market to, cultivate, solicit and steward major and principal planned gift prospects and donors; prepare and provide appropriate tax and financial planning information and illustrations for donor prospects and their advisors.
- Work collaboratively with development staff to identify, cultivate and solicit planned gifts from development officer assigned prospects. Accompany development and university team members on cultivation and/or solicitation visits as appropriate. Assist with proposals and provide financial calculations and related information as necessary.
- Develop and implement educational and training opportunities with the AVP for Development Officers and Deans in consultation with the Vice President for Development on various planned giving topics including deferred and non-cash gifts.
- Serve as an ambassador to university and community groups to share information about the planned giving program
- Monitor in conjunction with the AVP, Legal and Treasury Services the status of estates in probate, provide input on gift policies and guidelines, and advise Treasury Services and Investment Committee on donor-relationship/stewardship aspects of deferred gift investment policies.
Knowledge and Skills Required
- Bachelors Degree required; Masters Degree preferred; minimum 5 years work experience in the planned giving area or appropriate equivalent experience.
- Proven track record in generating and soliciting planned gifts, preferably in a complex public university environment, or significantly equivalent experience and results in acquiring and retaining clients in financial or legal fields, etc..
- Technical knowledge and expertise in the areas of financial, estate and tax planning strategies, and marketing/demographic trends as they relate to gift planning; Demonstrated principal and major gift fundraising and relationship-management experience, including marketing work, preferably within the context of a campaign;Demonstrated experience interacting with deans, directors, faculty, and development officers and staff to reach common goals;Leadership, and committee experience; some supervisory experience preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to read/relate well with all levels of internal and external personnel; ability to effectively communicate University priorities to prospects and donors and to positively represent the University and Foundation.
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills. Ability to handle multiple responsibilities, to determine priorities and track details in a complex, fast-paced environment;Ability to work to the demands of the position which may exceed a 40 hour work week, including some night and weekend work, and the willingness and ability to travel extensively.
- In addition to a willingness to travel extensively, reliable personal transportation is required for this position. Must possess a valid drivers license issued from state in which employee resides. Employee must maintain at their expense, automobile liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $500,000 or a combination of umbrella and automobile liability insurance coverage of $500,000. A certificate of automobile insurance evidencing the limit, must be provided to the Foundation at hire and annually thereafter.
Application Process
In addition to a stimulating University environment, the Foundation offers a generous compensation and benefits package, a mission-driven purpose, and the opportunity to perform meaningful work. Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to the Human Resources Department, The University of Connecticut Foundation, Inc., 2390 Alumni Drive, Storrs, CT 06269 or email to HR@foundation.uconn.edu. Electronic submission is strongly preferred. The University of Connecticut Foundation is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering diversity in its workforce.
