Senior Director of Development, Gift Planning

The Senior Director will help advance the mission of Miami University by serving as a key leader in the charitable gift and estate planning program. They individual will assist in planning, organizing, and implementing strategies to increase the level of personal involvement and financial commitment of donors and prospects of Miami University. In addition, this position will have a set of metrics corresponding to strategies seeking philanthropic and volunteer support of alumni and friends of Miami.

The Senior Director will help advance the mission of Miami University by serving as a key leader in the charitable gift and estate planning program. They individual will assist in planning, organizing, and implementing strategies to increase the level of personal involvement and financial commitment of donors and prospects of Miami University. In addition, this position will have a set of metrics corresponding to strategies seeking philanthropic and volunteer support of alumni and friends of Miami.

Miami University is a public university founded in 1809 with over 200,000 alumni and 20,000 enrolled students. These students major in over 120 different fields of study.

With its close proximity to the city of Cincinnati coupled with a nationally recognized excellence in undergraduate education there is a significant opportunity to increase all measures of support from alumni, friends, and corporate and foundation partners. As the university looks to conclude its current compressive campaign, “For Love, For Honor, For Those Who Will”, a robust and high functioning development team will play a critical role in the success of that effort.

In alignment with Miami University’s statement on Diversity and Inclusion, University Advancement is committed to and fully embraces the philosophy and belief that a diverse community is among an institution's greatest strengths. The Division of University Advancement is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where all people feel safe, valued, and respected. To view our full statement including our specific commitments, please visit our website: miamialum.org/DEI_statement.

Duties/Physical Demands:         

• Participate in the development and execution of the gift planning marketing efforts.
• Effectuate solicitation and stewardship calls to alumni and friends independently as well as in collaboration with other staff, faculty, administrators and alumni volunteers.
• Prepare and present gift proposals to prospects with the input and assistance of faculty, administrators, and deans, as well as other constituent and central development officers. Proposals may involve establishing multi-year commitments and aiding in facilitating charitable donations of real estate, personal property, securities, testamentary gifts, split-interest gifts and life insurance.
• Encourage and coordinate involvement of alumni and friends through campus visits and regional events.
• Develop and implement assessment, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for assigned prospects with the Office of Development staff, and university faculty and administrators.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of major and planned giving prospects.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of planned giving vehicles, tax implications, and estate planning principles.
• Assist Assistant Vice President for Gift Planning in educating Miami University development officers on issues surrounding planned and other major gifting techniques.
• Perform other duties related to the mission of the Office of Development under the guidance of the Assistant Vice President for Gift Planning.

Minimum Qualifications:           

• Bachelor’s degree, five years of experience in development/fundraising, law, financial services, accounting, and/or equivalent, demonstrated level of leadership and management.

Desired Qualifications: 

• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) or similar professional certification.
• Development/fundraising experience in a higher education setting.
• Experience managing and mentoring staff in a development setting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Proven leadership techniques; outstanding oral and written communication skills; excellent organization skills and attention to detail; ability to work independently but has commitment to collaborative approach to fundraising in a fast-paced environment; willingness to travel extensively both on a regional and national level and the ability to attend as scheduled evening and weekend events.