Director of Development – Gift Planning

Special Instructions to Applicants: Rice University has retained Lindauer, an executive search firm, to assist in this search. Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled. Candidates should submit, in confidence, a resume and cover letter. Communications, nominations, applications, and inquiries concerning this search should be directed to Raegan Harvey, Senior Consultant, rharvey@lindauerglobal.com.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Executive Director of Gift Planning, the Director of Development – Gift Planning is responsible for securing planned gifts and/or blended gifts; i.e., a combination of annual, outright, revocable and irrevocable life income gifts. Primary responsibilities include the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of alumni, parents and friends, with particular attention to those capable of gifts of $100,000 or more. The Director of Development – Gift Planning values collaboration and partners in fundraising activities with a portfolio of school and regional major gift and annual gift officers. This person assists in providing technical expertise to development officers and university administrators. With oversight from the Executive Director of Gift Planning, the Director of Development – Gift Planning participates actively in the design and implementation of the gift planning marketing and communications. The Director of Development – Gift Planning mentors, coaches and participates in formal training of fellow development professionals and volunteers in blended and planned gift fundraising to further the fundraising and donor engagement goals of the organization.

The ideal candidate is either someone who has served in this capacity in a higher education or other non-profit organization or who has a legal background in estate and probate work and is interested in utilizing that knowledge to impact Rice University’s mission by securing philanthropic commitments via estates and other planned gifts.

Workplace Requirements:

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

Must possess (or have the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and maintain a valid Texas driver’s license with no more than three moving violations and/or at fault accidents within the past 36 months, and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years.

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree

Three or more (3+) years of major gift fundraising experience with a minimum of three years of demonstrated success in closing complex and planned gifts. 3+ years of successful experience in the fields of professional financial planning, trust officer, or practicing law, focusing on estate and/or tax planning will also be considered.

Skills:

Strong knowledge of planned gift vehicles and gifts of complex assets

Strong knowledge of charitable tax laws

Working knowledge of estate and tax planning

Ability to develop and initiate new strategies

Advanced problem-solving skills

Strong interpersonal skills and verbal and written communication skills

Ability to work well with quick deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously

Strong organizational and time management skills

Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite

Strong data analysis skills

Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules

Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans, and handling issues when necessary

Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned

Strong client service orientation

Ability to develop new and maintain existing relationships with probate attorneys, trustees and other professional advisors in the advancement of receiving charitable gifts that have been designated for Rice through decedents’ estate, retirement assets, life insurance, etc.

Preferences:

Juris Doctor or Master’s Degree

6+ years of the experience specified above and prior work in this capacity in a higher education or other complex non-profit institution

Ability to develop new and maintain existing relationships with probate attorneys, trustees and other professional advisors in the advancement of receiving charitable gifts that have been designated for Rice through decedents’ estate, retirement assets, life insurance, etc.

Working knowledge of Blackbaud CRM or other advancement system

Working knowledge of PG Calc or Crescendo Pro

Working knowledge of document management software

Experience in a PC/Windows environment using Microsoft Office tools

Bar admission in a U.S. state; CFA, CFP, CTFA, CFRE, CAP or other advanced financial planning or fundraising certification

Essential Functions:

Manages a select portfolio of planned, blended and complex asset gift prospects through qualifying visits, cultivation of prospects, and prospect solicitations that align with the prospects’ passions and financial capacity, securing the commitment and stewarding current donors

Assists in providing stewardship for endowed assets funded through estates or life income gifts

Assists in developing gift planning marketing and communications

Collaborates with other development officers regarding soliciting, securing, and documenting planned gifts

Prepares sample illustrations for all potential gift vehicles and assets, including, but not limited to, life income gifts, gifts of real estate and other non-cash assets, lead trusts, bequest intentions through various vehicles, etc.

Assists in providing stewardship for planned gift donors in conjunction with team activities around the Captain James A. Baker Society, the Rice University planned gift recognition society, Golden and Platinum Reunion prospects, etc.

Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions:

Local and national travel to visit with prospects and donors (up to 35% of the time)

Making cold calls to potential prospects

Occasional weekend and evening events

Maintains and develops ongoing knowledge of all manner of planned gift vehicles and gifts of complex assets

Stays current with and continues developing knowledge of all existing and changing charitable tax laws

Has frequent and ongoing contact with colleagues in the Development and Alumni Relations division, as well as the Treasurer’s Office

Has some contact with the General Counsel’s Office, deans, faculty and other university offices

Has extensive contact with alumni, friends and parents, plus attorneys, financial planners and other affiliated professionals

Comfortable working in an open office environment

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.