Director of Development - Major and Planned Gifts

Bethel University

Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 6,300 students from 48 states and 32 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bethel offers bachelor's and advanced degrees in nearly 100 fields. Educationally excellent classroom-based and online programs equip graduates to make exceptional contributions in life-long service to God and the world.

Bethel employs qualified individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, familial status, and status with regard to public assistance. Individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

https://www.bethel.edu/

Position Details

Director of Development - Major and Planned Gifts
Job
Full-time
1/3/2024
Twin Cities Metro
St. Paul, MN

Responsible for long term development and relationship management with prospective and current investors in Bethel University who are capable of making major gifts and planned or estate gifts to the University, including management of identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Oversees the Development Officer team and also directs the activities of planned giving operations and scholarship management.

Responsibilities:

Major and Planned Gift Management

  • Develop plans for cultivation and solicitation of identified potential and current assigned investors to Bethel University through major, planned and estate gifts. 
  • Executes all areas of the fundraising cycle from identification to stewardship including planning, development and implementation of fundraising plans and initiatives. 
  • Cultivates donors and prospects by identifying engagement opportunities, events, and messaging platforms. 
  • Manages the stewardship and plans for individual donors. 
  • Ensures all donor interactions are tracked in our database and that recognition, appreciation, and communication plans are executed.

Personnel Management

  • Direct and oversee the activities of the Development Officer team, ensuring that metrics are being tracked and met. 
  • In collaboration with the AVP of Development and Development Officer team, assists in the creation and implementation of fundraising strategies that lead to solicitation.
  • Direct and oversee the Planned Giving team, including the development of planned gift proposals, illustrations, gift agreements, renewal letters, and planned gift donor communication. 
  • Work with the planned giving operations team to maintain a robust planned giving program, including planned gift acquisition and stewardship, as well as ensuring planned gifts are properly recorded and managed. 
  • Cultivation of internal relationships with other University departments. 
  • Assist other Development Officers in solicitation of planned and estate gifts. 
  • Other responsibilities as assigned.

Required Skills:

  • Demonstrated ability to solicit and secure major gifts and planned and estate gifts. 
  • Demonstrate the knowledge, ability and personality necessary to convey to alumni, friends, corporations, foundations and other contributors the need, propriety and benefit of charitable investment in institutions of higher education. 
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently to plan activities and manage schedule to attain goal results. 
  • Knowledge of fundamental planned giving techniques and benefits. 
  • Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive, confidential information professionally. 
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain timely and complete record of activities, results, and planned follow up to discussions. 
  • Demonstrated ability to develop social relationships based upon common purpose. 
  • Demonstrated ability to work with peers and others to collaborate in accomplishment of team goals. 
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. 
  • Preference to knowledge of Salesforce.
  • Required Experience:

5 years of gift development or related experience.

Preferred Experience:

  • 5 years of gift development or related experience with Razors Edge experience OR 5+ years of gift development or related experience.

Required Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a Master’s degree in a related field.

Additional Information:

  • Sometimes requires extended hours (including but not limited to weekends and evenings). 
  • Out of town travel approximately 20-25% of time.

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