Specialist, Planned Giving and Bequest Administration

How You’ll Contribute

The Advancement team cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals, as well as foundation, government and corporate partners who invest in the Society to drive impact through science, technology, education, exploration, and storytelling. The team collaborates with Society teams – and often works closely with NGP/Disney – to build transformative and impact-driven strategic partnerships. The team also produces global events that deepen connections and leverage the Society’s power to convene, and directs robust annual, major and planned giving programs empowering the Society with a broad base of public support.
Planned gifts enable National Geographic to add new dimensions to our research, conservation, exploration and education programs that result in real solutions to our most critical challenges. The Planned Giving and Bequest Administration Specialist is a vital member of the Planned Giving Team, ensuring that legacy gifts left to the Society are realized in an efficient and timely manner, and distributions from various estate sources are processed accurately.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Planned Giving, the Planned Giving and Bequest Administration Specialist will be responsible for the estate administration process for bequests from wills, trusts, split-interest agreements, perpetual trusts, gifts left by beneficiary designation, and other testamentary instruments. This role will also assist the planned giving team with administrative duties or communicating with donors by phone or email in response to requests for planned giving information.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Estate Administration (80%)

• Serve as the National Geographic Society’s primary liaison to manage the bequest/estate administration process from first notification to receipt of final gifts.

• Monitor, review, and process legal documentation, trust statements and related materials for bequest distribution requirements and restrictions.

• Communicate with executors and attorneys to make sure estates are proceeding in a timely manner.

• Function as point person for filing claims for inherited IRAs and other accounts, including regular follow up with institutions.

• Maintain and ensure data and donor information is accurate and up-to-date in both electronic database and physical hard file, while ensuring compliance with organizational procedures and financial and legal requirements.

• Manage planned giving acknowledgments and thank you notes to ensure that executors or family members are thanked on a timely basis.

• Interface with our Treasurer, Corporate Finance Office, internal and external counsel as well as donors, financial institutions, executors, accountants and probate attorneys.

Planned Giving Administration (20%)

• Will be involved with communicating with donors who respond to PG marketing campaigns and other requests for information, including assisting with initial phone and email inquiries and/or the coordination, implementation and follow up for planned giving events.

• Assist with invoices, expense reports, Daily Gift Report, and ordering supplies, and other administrative functions to maintain planned giving office efficiency.

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, pre-law or liberal arts preferred

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

3+ years of related experience in gift planning, development, law, accounting or equivalent combination of experience

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of planned giving vehicles and associated tax andestate planning issues.
• General knowledge of legal terminology and processes related to planned giving.
• Experience reviewing and processing legal documentation and communicating with legal professionals.
• Communicates clearly, concisely and appropriately both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to analyze and understand financial documents.
• Demonstrated ability with computer software including Raiser’s Edge, Word and Excel and experience generating detailed reports. 
• Strong organization skills, proofreading, accuracy, attention to detail and ability to multitask while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work individually as well as with a team.

Supervision

No Direct Reports

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The salary range for this position is $73,100 - $77,000.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.