Senior Development Officer, Gift Planning

Overview

Title:  Senior Development Officer, Gift Planning

Job Family/ Career Level:  Development/ Senior Specialist

Reports to:  Senior Director, Gift Planning

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Last Reviewed: October 2022

Major Function

The Development Officer works with donors and prospects within an assigned region to cultivate, qualify and close gifts to WWF in wills, trusts, or other estate planning vehicles, including life income gifts. This position is also responsible for ongoing stewardship of these donors through continued outreach including letters, emails, calls, and in-person visits. The Development Officer acts as gift planning resource for other regional fundraising staff, collaborating to close gifts and steward donors, and working towards WWF fundraising goals.

Key Responsibilities

Develops and maintains ongoing relationships with gift planning donors and prospects within assigned region.  Conducts visits and other outreach to Legacy Circle members and gift planning prospects to enhance commitment to WWF, screens for major gift potential, and helps generate repeat gifts. Responds to inquiries or leads generated and follows up with appropriate cultivation, to qualify and close gifts.  Identifies additional giving opportunities and implements approved projects for increasing and cultivating prospects and donors.  Develops a portfolio of current and prospective donors for cultivation and follow up, looking to increase their interest and commitment to WWF, and educating them on giving opportunities.  Prepares a variety of life income gift proposals for donors and their advisors and follows up via telephone, correspondence, or visits as needed. Works collaboratively with regional philanthropy team to provide gift planning expertise to increase bequest commitments, increase inquiries about complex and blended gifts, and close gifts.  Provides the Senior Director and team with information and insights gleaned from extensive donor contacts in order to help refine marketing materials and team procedures. Keeps abreast of both WWF program developments and the laws regarding charitable giving to share with donors, as appropriate. Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

• A Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 6 years’ professional experience (or an advanced degree with a minimum 3 years’ experience); demonstrated experience in fundraising/development and gift planning required.
• Relevant professional credential or planned giving certification preferred (e.g. CPA, JD, CFP, CAP, CGPA, CFRE.)
• Experience with planned gift vehicles and assets, and comfort with financial concepts.
• Able to communicate confidently, accurately, and clearly the financial and charitable components of planned gifts with prospects and their advisors.
• Able to prioritize and complete work with minimal supervision, and to meet deadlines.
• Experience working with older persons and the special skills and interest necessary to do so sensitively, patiently and productively.
• Ability and willingness to travel for WWF events and donor visits (approximately once a  month)
• Excellent listening, writing and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail and follow-through on prospect management.
• Able to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word; familiar with Excel.
• Experience with planned gift calculation software (PG Calc, Crescendo, for example) required.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:
  • Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
  • Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
  • Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
  • Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

Responsibilities

Develops and maintains ongoing relationships with gift planning donors and prospects within assigned region (Central United States). Conducts visits and other outreach to Legacy Circle members and gift planning prospects to enhance commitment to WWF, screens for major gift potential, and helps generate repeat gifts. Responds to inquiries or leads generated and follows up with appropriate cultivation, to qualify and close gifts.  Identifies additional giving opportunities and implements approved projects for increasing and cultivating prospects and donors.  Develops a portfolio of current and prospective donors for cultivation and follow up, looking to increase their interest and commitment to WWF, and educating them on giving opportunities.  Prepares a variety of life income gift proposals for donors and their advisors and follows up via telephone, correspondence, or visits as needed. Works collaboratively with regional philanthropy team to provide gift planning expertise to increase bequest commitments, increase inquiries about complex and blended gifts, and close gifts.  Provides the Senior Director and team with information and insights gleaned from extensive donor contacts in order to help refine marketing materials and team procedures. Keeps abreast of both WWF program developments and the laws regarding charitable giving to share with donors, as appropriate. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 6 years’ professional experience (or an advanced degree with a minimum 3 years’ experience) is required.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising/development and gift planning required.
• Relevant professional credential or planned giving certification preferred (e.g. CPA, JD, CFP, CAP, CGPA, CFRE.)
• Experience with planned gift vehicles and assets, and comfort with financial concepts.
• Able to communicate confidently, accurately, and clearly the financial and charitable components of planned gifts with prospects and their advisors.
• Able to prioritize and complete work with minimal supervision, and to meet deadlines.
• Experience working with older persons and the special skills and interest necessary to do so sensitively, patiently and productively.
• Ability and willingness to travel for WWF events and donor visits (approximately once a month)
• Excellent listening, writing and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail and follow-through on prospect management.
• Able to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word; familiar with Excel.
• Experience with gift planning calculation software (PG Calc, Crescendo) is preferred.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:
  • Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
  • Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
  • Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
  • Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

Please Note: We are looking to fill this position as quickly as possible, therefore applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received. Interested candidates are encouraged not to delay in submitting their applications.

WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.  WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page**,  Requisition #23055**
• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.