Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Central Development, and Executive Director, Office of Gift Planning, the Senior Director of Development will guide the Office of Gift Planning's ambitious fundraising goals during the FORWARD campaign and beyond. The Office of Gift Planning is expected to raise 20 - 25% of annual and campaign attainment in planned gifts. The Office of Gift Planning works with development officers from schools, colleges, and units, and campus leadership to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward planned giving prospects and donors. The Senior Director will actively manage a portfolio of 75-100 major (ability to give $50,000 or more) and principal (ability to give $1M or more) planned giving prospects, and will make at least 80 visits per year while raising $15M+ annually.
The Senior Director will also supervise five Office of Gift Planning staff members, including two development officers. The Senior Director will apply knowledge and understanding of the University of Maryland, its traditions, programs, campus issues, needs, and priorities to the development process. They will persuasively discuss academic programs, philanthropic opportunities, and priorities with prospective donors and volunteers to successfully solicit and close gifts on behalf of the university. Collaboration with key stakeholders in the campus units, including deans, faculty, chairs, campus colleagues, administrators, and senior leadership, is essential to the success of this role. The Senior Director will work with fundraising colleagues in University Relations and other campus schools/units to develop joint solicitation strategies and negotiate differences.
The Senior Director will provide leadership and oversight of the marketing of the gift planning program, estate administration, departmental budget management, the Founders Legacy Society (the University’s planned giving society), OGP special events, the Terrapin Advisors Network (affinity group for professional advisors), and the OGP training program for gift officers. This position will lead and coordinate efforts across schools, colleges, and service units to ensure relationships with planned giving prospects are efficient, impactful, and collaborative, and assist units in securing philanthropic support utilizing all tools available in the gift planning space.
Physical Demands:
-Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.
-Ability to work some evenings and weekends as necessary
-Some travel may be required
Licenses/ Certifications: N/A
*This position does not provide visa sponsorship now or in the future. Candidates must be able to provide proof of ongoing eligibility to work in the USA.Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience: Seven (7) years of professional development, fundraising or external relations experience.
Other: The position may or may not involve supervisory responsibilities.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of principles and best practices of major gift fundraising, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Knowledge of donor motivations, philanthropic trends, and prospect research methodologies.
Skill in problem solving and strategic planning.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Suite products.
Ability to develop and administer new policies and procedures.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
Ability to interact with donors and senior-level executives and administrators required.
Ability to handle multiple tasks and strong adherence to deadlines required.
Additional Job DetailsPreferences:
Required Application Materials: Resume and Cover Letter
Best Consideration Date: 10.29.26
Posting Close Date: NA
Open Until Filled: Yes
Job RisksNot Applicable to This PositionFinancial Disclosure RequiredNoFor more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.
For more information on Regular Exempt benefits, select this link.
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment EligibilityThe successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
EEO StatementThe University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Seven years of professional development, fundraising, or external relations experience
- Knowledge of major gift fundraising principles and practices, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
- Knowledge of donor motivations, philanthropic trends, and prospect research methodologies
- Strategic planning and problem-solving skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite products
- Ability to develop and administer policies and procedures
- Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws
- Ability to interact with donors and senior-level executives and administrators
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
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