Executive Director for Planned Giving

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Position Title: Executive Director for Planned Giving

School/Division: Office of Vice Pres. of Development (division)

Office: Office for Development and Alumni Affairs

Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time

Description:
Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, the Executive Director of Gift Planning provides strategic leadership for Hofstra University's gift planning program. This position is responsible for building, implementing, and managing a comprehensive gift planning strategy aligned with the University's funding priorities. The Executive Director manages a portfolio of gift planning prospects and donors, serves as the primary internal and external resource for complex and deferred gift strategies, and works collaboratively across the Office for Development and Alumni Affairs to integrate gift planning into leadership, major, and principal gift fundraising efforts.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Provides strategic leadership for Hofstra University's planned giving program, with responsibility for vision, strategy, execution, and donor outcomes.
• Manages a portfolio of approximately 75–100 planned giving donors and prospects; identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards commitments through bequests, trusts, gift annuities, retirement assets, and other complex gift vehicles.
• Collaborates with Prospect Research and Major Gift Officers to identify new planned giving prospects and integrate legacy giving into major and blended gift strategies.
• Serves as the University's primary resource and advisor on planned giving, providing training and guidance to colleagues, faculty, volunteers, and senior leadership.
• Partners with donors and their professional advisors to align philanthropic, financial, and estate planning goals with University priorities.
• Partners with external vendors to design and oversee a comprehensive planned giving marketing strategy, including direct mail, email, digital content, social media, newsletters, and donor stories.
• Collaborates with the Events team to plan and execute seminars, webinars, and events that increase awareness of legacy giving opportunities among alumni, parents, and friends.
• Analyzes campaign performance, donor response, and digital engagement metrics to refine outreach and marketing strategies.
• Oversees legacy society strategy and stewardship, ensuring consistent, meaningful, and personalized engagement with planned giving donors.
• Works closely with the Finance Office, Office of General Counsel, and external advisors to review, document, and administer planned and deferred gifts in accordance with University policies and best practices.
• Ensures accurate donor records, gift documentation, and planned gift projections are maintained in Raiser's Edge NXT.
• Stays current on planned giving regulations, tax law, and industry trends; champions innovation and best practices in planned giving fundraising.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree required, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 6–8 years of progressively responsible experience in planned giving fundraising, preferably in higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain strong internal and external partnerships.
• Strategic, highly motivated leader with the ability to prioritize competing demands and think creatively.
• Proven ability to collaborate across departments and influence without authority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel regionally as required.

EEO Statement:
Hofstra University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to extending equal opportunity in employment to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.