Director of Gift Planning

The primary objectives of the Director of Gift Planning is to design and implement a strategy to engage professional advisors (attorneys, financial advisors, investment managers, accountants, bankers, family offices and life insurance agents) with the ultimate goal of having these professional advisors utilize the Trust for their clients’ philanthropic planning, and to structure complex gifts from donors ranging up to more than $100,000,000.
The Director of Gift Planning is responsible for identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects for both current and deferred gifts to the Trust. Such gifts include bequest and beneficiary designations, life-income gifts such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts, interests in real property, and complex outright gifts involving securities, cash, business interests, real estate, and other assets. Other duties include but are not limited to face to face contact to assist donors and their professional advisors in completing complex gift arrangements; structuring investment advisor managed accounts, speaking to internal and external audiences regarding the legal and tax aspects of charitable giving, writing and publishing articles related to the legal and tax aspects of charitable giving for internal and external publications, settling gifts from estates, advising on legal issues related to development and donor services, advising diverse audiences, including public policy officials, on the legal and tax aspects of charitable giving, filing complete and timely relationship reports; attending and staffing board and committee meetings as assigned; inviting new and potential planned gift donors to consider including the Trust in their estate plans. Serves as a resource for and represents all Trust constituencies regarding education and training about planned and complex gifts.

• Identifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards relationships with professional advisors and financial services firms to engage the Trust to serve their clients’ philanthropy
• Collaborates with the Finance Team to structure complex gifts and new fund agreements
• Collaborates with the Director of Investments to structure investment advisor managed accounts, including the creation of investment policy statements
• Supports the professional advisory sector marketing strategy, to be implemented by the Strategic Communications Team, through content development, sponsorship support, thought leadership and external presentations to firms and associations.
• Writes about gift planning topics for internal and external publications, including tax and legal journals and white papers
• Speaks at conferences and seminars about charitable gift planning topics
• Speaks to professional advisory firms about the Trust’s gift planning services
• Works collaboratively with the Trust’s philanthropic advisors for introductions with planned giving prospects
• Ensures recognition and effective on-going stewardship for legacy donors
• Manages the Professional and Young Professional Advisory Committees
• Collaborates with the General Counsel on fundraising-related legal and policy matters
• Serves as philanthropic advisor for a small portfolio of donors
• Maintains knowledge of current tax laws and investment issues
• Committee and project participation as assigned

This description should not be construed to contain every function or responsibility that may be required to be performed by an incumbent in this job. Incumbents are required to perform other related functions as assigned.

• A bachelor’s degree (Juris Doctor strongly preferred)
• Seven years of charitable gift planning, estate planning, tax planning, or financial planning experience with charitable or for-profit institutions
• Deep knowledge of the legal and tax laws related to nonprofits and charitable giving, both at the federal and local level
• Deep understanding of the investment management principles of charitable assets
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present complex topics effectively to small and large audiences
• A self-starter who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment
• Adherence to the highest ethical standards, an optimistic and positive attitude, and an ability to cultivate relationships with professional advisors, prospects, and donors.
• An interest in collaborating with colleagues and external stakeholders, when necessary
• Excellent organizational skills
• Knowledge of the philanthropic climate in Chicago preferred
• Ability to travel
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite, Salesforce, and PG Calc