The Senior Gift Planning Advisor (SGPA) is a member of the Loyal Giving team within the CA philanthropy program. The SGPA will be responsible for raising philanthropic support within the California market by collaborating with major gift officers on solicitation strategies, and by directly managing a small portfolio of leadership gift prospects. The SGPA will partner with California staff to discuss opportunities for outright, blended and deferred gifts, especially those funded with stock, real estate and other complex assets. The SGPA is responsible for 60 - 65 visits annually with California planned giving prospects and donors, closing 20 irrevocable life income gifts and 20 bequests/substantiations resulting in $7,500,000 in new bequest commitments and $2,000,000 in new life income gifts.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Senior Gift Planning Advisor influences fundraising results through a persuasive gift planning fact base, performance indicators, resources, and experience. They will translate data and findings for a broad range of audiences. They will provide proactive consulting to the CA philanthropy team. They will conceive, design, and provide training on a series of agreed upon best practices that, when followed, provides the CA philanthropy team with an improved ability to meet its fundraising potential. The SGPA will manage a portfolio of top planned giving prospects. They will also develop and lead a series of initiatives to drive performance and will provide guidance and support with tactics such as hiring, on-boarding, training, assessments, strategy development, goal setting, benchmarking, and other tactics to further the fundraising goals. They will maintain a high degree of collaboration across the organization, developing networks and facilitating resource and knowledge sharing among staff.
In addition to direct support of programs, the SGPA will be a key source of trends and knowledge and will keep up-to-date on the current landscape in the relevant field. They will engage appropriate partners across the organization, keeping leadership apprised of potential issues, concerns, and opportunities.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
• Conduct 60 - 65 visits with California planned giving prospects and donors
• Close 20 irrevocable life income gifts and 20+ bequests/substantiations resulting in $7,500,000 in new bequest commitments and $2,000,000 in new life income gifts
• Play an integral role in the training and education of CA Loyal Donor Officers and major gift staff to increase their sophistication in confidently conversing with donors about gift planning and implementing gift planning strategies with all their donors.
• Decisions may have program-wide impact, affect staff in non-program areas, and bind the organization financially or legally.
• Direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
• Ensure compliance with TNC policies and procedures and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements; be alert to ethical compliance issues.
• Facilitate strategic dialogues with senior-level stakeholders, articulating a development vision, synthesize and vet a plan of action, identify key issues, develop potential solutions, and implement plans to deliver targeted outcomes.
• Financial responsibility includes working within a budget.
• Maintain confidentiality of frequently sensitive and emotionally charged information.
• Manage and implement strategic initiatives with broad impact by collaborating with key stakeholders to enhance overall performance in accordance with short and long-term objectives.
• Maximum opportunity to act independently, resolves complex issues within scope.
• May supervise support or administrative staff and/or coordinate the work of project staff.
• Travel frequently and on short notice, and work long hours and weekends.
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
• Work proactively towards implementing organizational and departmental strategic goals.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience, including 3 years working various roles in a fundraising program.
• Experience analyzing program results.
• Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising program constituents.
• Experience managing cross-functional projects.
• Experience working across complex organizations.
• Experience, coursework, or other training in current trends in relevant field.
PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross cultural experience appreciated.
• Ability to inform fundraisers about best practices and current trends in charitable giving.
• Ability to make strategic decisions based on analysis, wisdom, experience and judgment.
• Ability to train on and direct complex processes and procedures.
• Ability to work in partnership with others in a collaborative or advisory role, including senior staff.
• Detailed knowledge of principles, practices and procedures in relevant field of experience.
• Expert experience in developing training materials and programs.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
• Understanding of best practices in non-profit management.