Director Gift Planning II at UTHealth in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

Director Gift Planning II

Position Summary:

UTHealth Houston is seeking a Director, Gift Planning II to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive gift planning and fundraising efforts for identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of planned and blended gift prospects. The Office of Development advances the mission of UTHealth Houston by seeking and securing philanthropic support for its programs in service to students and the community.

The Director, Gift Planning II will have experience fostering relationships and will utilize their knowledge of charitable estate and gift planning strategies to support donors when making key philanthropic decisions. The incumbent will carry a portfolio of around 70 individuals, contact leads for the marketing program, steward Heritage Society members and work with gift officers to support their non-cash asset gift strategies.

Candidates should have at least six (6) years major gift fundraising and gift planning, and/or related experience. Experience in higher education and/or a healthcare setting is preferred. The ideal candidate will possess strong critical thinking skills, will be an attentive listener, and will have an innate ability to earn trust. Candidates must possess strong interpersonal and communications skills as the position will require the ability to build effective relationships and work closely with leadership, donors, and staff.

Position Key Accountabilities:

1. Develops strategy for planned and blended gifts from individuals. Identifies, cultivates, and manages a pool of approximately 70 prospective planned and blended gift prospects.
2. Works with the prospect research team to develop strong and continuous donor pool.
3. Meets metrics and goals as established by the central development office.
4. Travels primarily in state with occasional national travel to secure private support from individuals.
5. Serves as a resource for development officers by assisting with planned giving discussions and donor presentations, as well as developing strategies for blended gifts to maximize gift potential.
6. Stewards Heritage Society Members, which includes follow-up visits as needed.
7. Collaborates with the stewardship team to ensure timely and appropriate donor recognition.
8. Keeps abreast of charitable giving tax laws and planned giving instruments.
9. May provide training to the development staff and others on planned giving topics.
10. Constructs a set of activities and initiatives leading to the solicitation of planned and blended gifts. Works with volunteers, professional advisors, and directors of development to identify individual planned giving prospects.
11. May support marketing program planning.
12. May support budget planning process.
13. May support planned giving advisory council.
14. Participates in University development meetings as appropriate. Attends events/special functions as required.
15. Manages Human Resources activities for direct reports in-regards to: recruiting and selection; hiring and termination, training, development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.
16. Responsible for the design, execution and effectiveness of a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded; financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
17. Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

Ability to work with minimal supervision; demonstrated energetic and enthusiastic self-starter with the ability to relate well with and influence decisions of a diverse constituency. Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts of $50,000 and above. Ability to systematically analyze complex issues and resolve problems quickly, using discretion with sensitive material. Ability to effectively communicate complex information clearly in oral and written formats to a variety of audiences. Skilled in working cooperatively in a team environment. Prefer demonstrated record of cultivating and closing gifts at five and six-figure level.

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in related field. Master's and/or J.D. preferred.

Minimum Experience:

Six (6) years major gift fundraising planned giving, or related experience. Prefer experience in higher education and/or healthcare setting. May substitute required experience with equivalent years of education beyond the minimum education requirement.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.