Job Description: 

Budget Title: Director (SL-6)

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience

The Executive Director of Major and Planned Giving (ED) works with the Vice President for Advancement, Associate Vice President for Advancement and Campaign Director and the Executive Director of the Binghamton University Foundation, along with campus leaders and senior volunteers, to set major gifts and planned giving program goals and priorities to further organizational objectives as part of a record-setting comprehensive campaign designed to elevate individual giving to a new level of performance. The ED sits on the VP’s Executive Team, working collaboratively to advance the goals of the Office of Development, Office of Alumni Engagement and the Binghamton University Foundation.

In addition to maintaining a modest portfolio and working directly with major donors and volunteers, this position will plan, direct and supervise the work of the major gifts staff to develop the team over the course of this campaign. This individual serves as a coach, advisor and strategist with major gifts staff on the identification, cultivation, solicitation, closure and stewardship of major and planned gift donors, and functions as an essential partner in the success of the campaign.

This position will also oversee the planning and execution of a planned giving program, ensuring that the marketing, lead generation, gift discussions and recognition programs are well-integrated into the overall operation of the Divisions of Advancement and Foundation.

Essential Duties:

Leadership:

Engage with the President, Vice President, Executive Team, Foundation Board, deans, faculty, major giving staff and volunteers to develop and strengthen individual relationships and involvement with Binghamton University in meeting its goals and mission. Represent the Vice President in meetings, as appropriate.

Oversee a comprehensive major gifts and planned giving program and develop strategies designed to identify, cultivate and solicit individuals capable of giving a gift of $100,000 or more for university priorities. Build goals for outright and deferred gifts in conjunction with the Executive Team, including annual goals, multi-year goals, planned giving program goals and campaign goals. Prepare annual long-range plans and forecasts for review.

Partner with Prospect Research & Management to develop processes, procedures and analytics to ensure that a strong pipeline of potential support is identified and maintained. Serve as a champion of giving through the Binghamton Fund (annual giving program) as a component of developing donors and future major gift prospects. In conjunction with Donor Relations and Stewardship, help create and execute plans for appropriate recognition of major and planned gift donors. As appropriate, work directly with the Executive Team and other campus leaders to develop or update major gifts and planned giving policies, procedures and priorities.

Participate in a range of donor activities and events that have strategic impact on the success of individual giving and planned giving program results.

Supervision:

Provide leadership and supervision for the major gifts team (nine staff members; seven direct­ reports) including training and development that aligns with institutional needs. Provide guidance and support to staff in developing strategies for donor engagement: Ensure that the program continues to adhere to best practices in individual giving with long term strategy and meaningful relationship building at the core of Binghamton’s approach. Create and cultivate a work environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion.

Review monthly, quarterly and annual reports that include measurable targets for the major gifts team that demonstrate productivity related to meetings, stewardship activity, solicitations made, new commitments and dollars raised within each fiscal year.

Work in conjunction with staff to conduct annual strategy and goalsetting, including setting measurable, meaningful and appropriate targets for individual staff members. Ensure timely completion of proposals, pledge commitment documents, documentation of individual prospect strategies, stewardship plans and qualification efforts. Include results of progress in reviews of direct reports.

Planned giving program management:

Oversee the creation and implementation of new marketing strategies using demographics, donor behavior and other considerations reflecting best practices. Oversee marketing of planned gifts from concept to production and in partnership with Assistant Director of Advancement Communication and University Communication and Marketing’s design teams through mailings, advertisements, websites and email. Work in partnership with Donor Relations and Stewardship to build on the existing efforts to promote the Esther W. Couper Heritage Society in a way that creates a prominent presence of the society in the public phase of the campaign. Coordinate with the Executive Director of the Foundation to manage estate-related documents and any compliance issues.

Portfolio Management:

Manage a portfolio of no more than 25 individuals who are major and planned gift prospects. Model best practices for the team by developing strategies for building successful relationships between prospects and Binghamton with a goal of soliciting and closing gifts of $100,000 and above. This includes corresponding with and meeting prospects, donors and their advisors. Travel as appropriate to fulfill duties and maintain and submit timely reports on meetings with prospects and donors.

Facilitate productive relationships between donors, senior administrators and other staff to solicit individuals for high- level gifts in support of fundraising priorities, as appropriate.

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum of seven years of fundraising experience, preferably in higher education
• Strong fundraising experience with demonstrated ability to manage relationships with donors and successfully solicit six-figure gifts
• A demonstrated skill in successfully coaching, training and leading staff and volunteers with a compassionate, clear and decisive leadership and management style
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and able to set priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Thorough knowledge of financial vehicles and techniques used in estate planning and creation of tax-advantage philanthropic gifts
• Proven track record of successful solicitation and service in creating deferred gifts and in working with legal and professional counsel on tax and estate issues
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, analytical, verbal and written communication skills and the ability to plan, create and market a strategic deferred gift program
• Energy, enthusiasm and the ability to work both independently and productively in a fast­ paced, team-oriented department
• Passion for education                               . .
• Possession of the highest ethical standards, an entrepreneurial spirit and creativity
• Must be willing to travel and work some evenings and weekends

Preferred

• Master’s degree
• Campaign, major gift, planned giving and annual giving experience
• Strong computer skills and familiarity with CRM’s related to Advancement

Additional Information: 

Offers of employment may be contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials.

Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus.

The State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  It is the policy of Binghamton University to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.