Senior/Executive Director of Planned Giving, MCV Campus

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCUs robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits paid annual and holiday leave granted up front generous tuition benefit retirement planning and savings options tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs employee discounts well-being resources abundant opportunities for career development and advancement and more. Learn more about VCUs benefits here.

VCU is a public research university unlike any other. Were dedicated to serving the needs of students and patients and our passionate community isnt afraid to tackle difficult challenges others cant or wont. Were home to creativity teaching discovery and healing. Our location in the heart of downtown Richmond Virginia means the nonstop energy of our city ignites our innovation and provides unlimited opportunities.

The mission of VCUs Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to maximize philanthropic support by engaging stakeholders with our institution working in partnership with all VCU schools programs and campuses as one development and alumni relations community and implementing the best practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensive development program.

Reporting to the assistant vice president of planned giving the senior director/executive director of planned giving will serve as a philanthropic advisor subject matter expert and strategic partner for fundraisers donors and other stakeholders in the areas of deferred and tax-advantaged giving. This role supports planned giving for the health sciences including School of Medicine VCU Health System Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center School of Pharmacy College of Health Professions School of Dentistry and School of Nursing.

The Planned Giving team has the unique opportunity to make final determination of duties working title and salary based on knowledge skills and experience of the candidate pool. Candidates with varying levels of experience are encouraged to apply for consideration.

As the Senior Director of Planned Giving you will:

• Collaborate with the AVP of Planned Giving to develop fundraising goals and strategies to increase current blended and deferred gifts benefiting VCU.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for constituents fundraisers professional advisors and colleagues on tax-advantaged and deferred ways of giving including gifts through wills living trusts retirement plans donor-advised funds appreciated securities real estate life insurance charitable gift annuities charitable trusts and other gift vehicles donor accounts and assets.
• Provide strategic support to fundraisers and fundraising teams to develop and execute proposals that maximize the current and deferred giving potential of their donors and prospects.
• Manage a portfolio of donors and prospective donors and meet with them to secure current blended and deferred gifts for the benefit of VCU.
• Track and report on the results of planned giving efforts.
• Use software to prepare gift illustrations and proposals for planned gifts.
• Partner with Philanthropic Services to ensure planned gifts are accurately recorded credited and designated.
• Help to identify opportunities to promote and increase planned giving through partnerships with the strategic engagement team and reunion events.
• Collaborate with DAR colleagues and foundation partners to support the stewardship program for legacy society members.
• Remain current on developments in the estate and planned giving field and use industry data and current best practices to inform strategy for VCU.
• Provide support for a multi-faceted marketing and communications plan to increase current deferred and blended gifts for the benefit of VCU.
• Participate in and provide support for special projects programs and events related to planned giving.

As the Executive Director of Planned Giving you will also:

• Develop and execute a process to track and manage the offices 2000 highly rated planned giving prospects in collaboration with prospect development and unit based teams.
• Design and execute planned giving training workshops and related materials for fundraisers and DAR colleagues.

As a team member you will:

• Demonstrate appreciation for the mission and aspirations of VCU;
• Display a strong commitment to organizational success and delivering on individual responsibilities as a university citizen;
• Demonstrate a commitment to the pursuit of excellence high achievement and ongoing professional development by proactively seeking opportunities to develop new capabilities skills and knowledge;
• Establish cultivate and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal partners;
• Demonstrate a commitment to the highest quality service to internal and external communities;
• Demonstrate an open-minded approach to understanding people from all backgrounds identities abilities perspectives and experiences;
• Ensure work is completed accurately and within deadline. Set high standards exhibit a positive attitude maintain strict confidentiality and show exemplary work ethic;
• Reflect DARs and VCUs core purpose and values.

Minimum Hiring Standards:

• Bachelors degree or equivalent training and work experience.
• Significant experience in a planned giving development position or proven planned giving success in securing seven-figure gifts and above as the primary relationship manager that involve complex gift structures a variety of asset types and charitable vehicles.
• Personal initiative curiosity and ability to bring a creative and data-informed approach to all aspects of planned giving.
• Demonstrated experience communicating complex content to non-expert audiences.
• Ability to provide strategic guidance and support to non-direct reports and their teams on all aspects of planned giving including fundraising marketing and gift recording.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating across teams in a matrixed organization.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect professionalism and civility with a population of faculty staff and students from various backgrounds and experiences or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
• Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills; superior judgment negotiating skills and diplomacy.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities while working strategically collaboratively and independently.
• Commitment to the mission and strategic goals of VCU.

Preferred hiring standards:

• JD CFP CPA or advanced degree in business finance or related field.
• Experience in leading a planned giving program.
• Experience in grateful patient fundraising.
• Experience in alumni fundraising.
• Experience developing and implementing planned giving training programs and marketing plans for fundraisers and essential partners.
• Experience developing and implementing comprehensive stewardship plans for legacy society members.

A resume and cover letter are required for consideration. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by September 29 2025.

Flexible work arrangements are available for candidates within a commutable distance to Richmond VA.

VCU is transitioning to a new application system beginning on October 1 2025. Please be aware that applicants for job postings that remain open after September 30 2025 may be asked to resubmit your application in the new system after it goes live. Clear instructions will be provided at that time. We appreciate your understanding during this transition and look forward to reviewing your application.

Izzy Kane