Assistant Vice President for Planned Giving - University of Connecticut Foundation Inc

The University of Connecticut is a top-ranked national university and health-system with its flagship campus in idyllic Storrs. Designated a Carnegie Research 1 institution, UConn is the state land- and sea-grant university charged with education, research, and service to the state and nation. The University serves 32,000 students across seven campuses, 8600 first-in-family students, and boasts 25 national championships. UConn Health is a top-ranked health provider located in Farmington and delivers award-winning medical education, research, and hospital and clinical services to 1.3 million patients a year.

With record-applications, back-to-back Men’s Basketball National Championships, and a strategic location equidistant from Boston and New York City, UConn is poised to continue its meteoric rise as New England’s top public University guided by a new strategic plan.

To meet the strategic objectives of the University, UConn Foundation is embarking on a historic campaign to support the University’s trajectory. With students at the forefront, the campaign will also elevate faculty, groundbreaking research, sustainability, and a thriving community on campus that fuels the state. We seek the top talent in the country to join Husky Nation and invite inquiries and applications. We are committed to a caring and inclusive work culture, professional and leadership development, and flexibility for high achievers with a passion for higher education.

The UConn Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We celebrate diverse perspectives and are committed to a welcoming environment that will value your unique experiences and identity. We recognize that a true commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion requires ongoing education and action, and we strive for continued growth each and every day.

We’re looking for dedicated professionals to drive success and excellence and exemplify our values of integrity, empathy, kindness, accountability, collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Vice President for Planned Giving is a frontline fundraiser responsible for overseeing a comprehensive Gift Planning Program. This role involves providing strategic thought leadership, setting ambitious goals for the Gift Planning team, and fostering ongoing sustainable and incremental growth of the Planned Giving program by direct management of a planned giving team and via collaboration with other frontline fundraisers.

A key priority for the AVP is the expansion of the Planned Giving Office as an integral component of the upcoming campaign, aiming to elevate the program to levels of national industry leadership through continuous benchmarking, implementation of best practices, and university-wide integration of standards. The AVP leads overall fundraising efforts and sets and directs the execution and achievement of campaign goals. This includes growing the Planned Giving Office as a core element of the broader campaign, ensuring its strategic alignment with University priorities.

In addition to these strategic responsibilities, the AVP manages a caseload of current and prospective principal and planned giving donors. They are tasked with creating and operationalizing strategies that engage and guide these prospects and donors to make philanthropic gifts that support annual fundraising goals. This role requires a blend of strategic vision and practical execution, making it critical to the success of the Foundations’ fundraising efforts.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage a prospect portfolio of 50-75 prospects rated at $1M+.
• Raise $10M+ per year.
• Conduct 10+ qualification meetings at the $1M+level; 10+ solicitations at the $500K level; and 75 face-to-face, meaningful meetings per year.
• Establish realistic, yet challenging performance metrics for frontline fundraisers; mentors, trains, supervises and evaluates staff.
• Identify and develop the program to evolve in alignment with the campaign
• Serve as a resource to staff on matters of prospect strategy and offer new approaches and Planned Giving techniques.
• Remain current with the evolving trends in philanthropy and planned giving.
• Develop, implement, and track a growth plan for irrevocable gifts to support the University.
• Prepare and provide technical tax and financial planning information for prospective donors and their advisors and staff.
• Oversee the implementation of Marketing and Communication plans for the promotion of UConn Foundation Planned Giving programs and the communication and stewardship of donors and Societies as well as strategic communications to prospective Planned Giving donors.
• Develop and foster strong working relationships with Events, Research, Stewardship, Advancement Services, as well as other foundation colleagues to further the business and mission of the Foundation.
• Attend and participate in principal gift pipeline development activities, such as planning meetings with Research staff that will assign qualification and engagement with the development staff to expand the principal gift prospect pipeline.
• Attend select principal gift events to assist with principal gift strategy, engagement, and stewardship as appropriate.
• Collaborate closely with fundraisers, donors, volunteers, and University leaders to identify and cultivate new prospects.
• Perform administrative duties related to advancement work Including documenting activity, writing proposals, inputting engagement plans in relationship management database, and adhering to Foundation policies.
• Contribute to the overall productivity and efficiency of the Division/Department’s development staff, by meeting or exceeding goals in a metrics-driven environment.
• Develop and support clearly defined and strategic fundraising priorities within the campaign and articulate compelling cases to advance these priorities.
• Model and articulate the Foundation’s organizational core values at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Major, Leadership, and Principal Gift Fundraising

Demonstrate the ability to personally solicit gifts of $500,000 and above, while advancing the number and quality of leadership ($1M+) and principal ($5 million and above) gift conversations in partnership with the principal gifts team.

Potential Donor Discovery

Collaborate with the Prospect Management and Research team to increase and grow the major gift pipeline and overall fundraising success of the unit.

Engagement

Collaborate with Stakeholder Engagement to steward donors, engage with alumni, and support events specific to your unit.

Leadership

Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization-wide activities such as development management meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events.

Keyword: Assistant Vice President for Planned Giving
Required Experience:

Key Competencies

• Technical knowledge and expertise in the areas of financial, trust, estate and tax planning strategies, and marketing/demographic trends as they relate to gift planning.
• Ability to manage fundraising goals and expectations in a metrics-driven, deadline-oriented organization.
• Demonstrated strategic, leadership and management capabilities in a comprehensive development environment, high level of motivation and assertiveness.
• Demonstrated success working with and advising high-net worth individuals.
• Outstanding written and verbal communications skills, including ability to effectively communicate University priorities to donors and prospects, and to positively represent the University and Foundation.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage, train, motivate, and coach people across the division.
• Demonstrated principal and major gift fundraising and relationship-management experience, particularly within the context of a campaign.
• Exhibits ability to develop strategic plans, implement programs, organize, initiate, and motivate.
• Champion for inclusion and diversity both internally and externally.
• High level of motivation, as well as an ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy.
• The ability to build productive, beneficial relationships with a broad range of constituencies.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, including ability to effectively communicate University priorities to donors and prospects, and to positively represent the University and Foundation.
• Familiar with the use of computers and information management tools, such as CRMs (Blackbaud).
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, to assess and order priorities, and to track details in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to engender trust and confidence of donors and prospective donors and to maintain confidentiality of donor information; ability to represent the UConn Foundation to prospects, donors, faculty, administrators, and others.
• Ability to work to the demands of the position, which may exceed a 40-hour work week.
• Attention to and concern for others.
• Must be willing to travel extensively. Reliable personal transportation is required for this position.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license issued from the state in which the employee resides. Employees must maintain at their expense automobile liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $500,000 or a combination of umbrella and automobile liability insurance coverage of $500,000. A certificate of automobile insurance evidencing the limit, must be provided to the Foundation at hire and annually thereafter.

Education & Experience

• 8+ years of experience as a major gift fundraiser and/or relevant transferrable skills.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Law degree (JD), CPA, CFP or another financial/tax credential preferred.
• Campaign experience preferred.

Salary:

The expected salary for this position is $165,000+. It will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also placing an emphasis on internal equity.

Benefits:

Benefits start from day one. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans and will make an annual contribution to your health savings account if enrolled in one of the high-deductible health plans offered by the Foundation.

In addition, there are a few other perks to being a UConn Foundation employee:

• We offer a generous contribution to your 403(b) retirement plan to help you plan for retirement.
• We place an emphasis on work/life balance. In addition to a hybrid schedule (typically two days per week in office), you will receive thirteen paid holidays, five weeks of paid time off per calendar year, and additional sick time.
• We invest in your professional development. Aside from opportunities to participate in various trainings, committees, and conferences throughout the year, you will also be eligible for tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.

From: University of Connecticut Foundation Inc