Imagine a more humane Chicago for pets and people—where your legacy can turn compassion into BEST Care for the future of all animals at Anti-Cruelty. Join us in making that dream a reality by shaping the future of animal welfare through planned gifts.

The Position                                                                                 

Reporting to the Vice President of Mission Advancement, the Director of Planned Giving is a dynamic, experienced professional who designs, directs, executes and evaluates Anti-Cruelty’s Rose Fay Thomas Legacy Society program. In addition to carrying a portfolio, they develop and implement a multi-year strategic marketing plan to maximize income by securing a range of planned gifts. This position will provide technical expertise in estate planning to prospective and current donors and to their advisors regarding the tax and charitable aspects of planned giving.

Essential Job Functions

• Uphold the PETS Work Culture Agreement through Praise, Engagement, Trust, and Support.
• Design, implement and manage a robust planned giving program including cultivating and stewarding the portfolio of Rose Fay Thomas Legacy Society members
• Engage in strategic, direct donor contact to provide technical expertise in estate planning to prospective and current donors and to their advisors regarding the tax and charitable aspects of planned giving
• Provide expertise in the construction and evaluation of complex gift agreements, delivery and recognition benefits for gifts both outright and planned gifts
• Collaborate with the Mission Advancement team in the creation of marketing collateral, digital and online outreach, and other communication efforts; advise Vice President of Mission Advancement, President, Chief Financial Officer and other senior leaders on planned giving opportunities, key strategies, direction and methods
• Ensure effective and efficient gift administration, regular management reports, and database maintenance in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge
• Oversee fundraising strategy for securing gifts from donors upon death through their estate plans; collaborate with estate and trust administration to ensure stewardship and recognition for donors and to support the estate administration process as needed
• Manage a portfolio of planned giving donors and prospects and assume responsibility for personal revenue and activity metrics
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with legal and accounting communities, and confidently represent Anti-Cruelty through these networks
• Collaborate with fundraising and finance staff as needed to ensure compliance with all state insurance filings, gift annuity reserve requirements and Gift Acceptance Policy
• Maintain knowledge base in legislation and regulations affecting charitable giving
• In collaboration with the Finance team, support charitable gift annuity activities
• Set goals for meeting with donors and acquiring new members for the Rose Fay Thomas Legacy Society   
• Develop opportunities for gifts of stock, real estate property, gift annuities and other assets
• Conduct program analysis of both Planned Giving pipeline revenue potential and realized revenue to identify trends and leverage opportunities to maximize revenue
• Develop and cultivate relationships with the professional advisor community including attorneys, wealth advisors and accountants to support cultivation of Rose Fay Thomas membership acquisitions and activities
• Additional duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities

• Drive to locations in the Chicago region to meet with donors.
• Support the Mission Advancement team during signature events.
• Must be available to work nights and weekends when necessary.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven ability to solicit and close planned and outright gifts
• Team player with the Mission Advancement department
• Strong analytical skills to drive strategic development of the department
• An entrepreneurial spirit, and a demonstrated ability to organize time, handle multiple priorities and deadlines, be self-motivated and collaborate across departments
• Experience in working with high net worth individuals and demonstrated success in personal cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and closing of planned gifts
• Bequest administration is a key responsibility of the position in collaboration with the Anti-Cruelty Finance team, and provide hands-on administration of living estate bequests including the receipt, documentation, and all follow-up correspondence required.
• Knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access) applications preferred.
• Excellent proofreading and editorial skills.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree strongly preferred. Significant professional experience in philanthropy, development, alumni relations, or similar fundraising experience.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 5-10 years in planned giving vehicles, current trends in philanthropy, and estate and financial planning for individuals, including tax implications of charitable giving
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.
• Priority will be given to candidates with Planned Giving certifications and members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Association of Charitable Gift Planners

Note:     A comparable combination of education, experience or training that would provide the level of knowledge, skills and ability required may qualify individuals                              

Please submit a letter of interest, including salary expectations, a writing sample and a resume for consideration. Pay will be commensurate with experience and ability. Please note that applications that do not include all required documentation will not be considered.