Director of Gift Planning - Military veterans preferred

Job Description Summary

Bentley University has retained Boyden to conduct the search for this position. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter and résumé directly to Lisa Vuona at lvuona@boyden.com and Shaké Sulikyan at ssulikyan@boyden.com. Please reference “Bentley University” in the subject line of your email correspondence.

The Director of Gift Planning reports to the Associate Vice President for Development and leads Bentley University’s strategic efforts in gift planning. This role oversees all aspects of gift planning, including life income gifts, deferred gifts, trust and estate administration, and gifts of complex assets. The Director manages a portfolio of donors and prospects, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding planned and blended gifts while developing innovative strategies to market and promote legacy and asset-based giving.

Serving as a key resource and strategist, the Director advises colleagues and donors on gift acceptance and tax-wise giving strategies including complex assets such as life insurance, real estate, tangible property, and retirement plans. The Director collaborates closely with advancement leadership and frontline staff to design and secure transformational gifts, ensuring Bentley’s continued success in philanthropic support.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive gift planning program with both annual and long-term strategies to cultivate, steward, and grow Bentley’s legacy donor pipeline.
• Manage the university’s gift planning program, including bequests, charitable trusts, gift annuities, insurance, and non-cash gifts.
• Maintain a portfolio of donors, qualifying, soliciting, and stewarding planned and outright gifts.
• Provide strategic guidance and technical expertise to gift officers, advancement staff, and university leadership on best practices in legacy and asset-based philanthropy.
• Create and deliver an in-house gift planning curriculum for colleagues, prospective donors, volunteers, and university leaders.
• Partner with Advancement Communications to develop and execute a marketing strategy that increases legacy pipeline and Legacy Society membership, raises awareness of planned giving opportunities, and highlights Bentley’s expertise in charitable donations of complex and non-cash gifts, as well as maximizing benefits of IRA QCDs and donor-advised funds.
• Strengthen donor relationships, stewarding high-capacity legacy donors and prospects in collaboration with the Donor Relations team.
• Monitor and evaluate program success, refining strategies based on performance metrics and ROI analysis.
• Ensure compliance with gift acceptance policies and best practices, serving as a leader in developing, maintaining, and adhering to policies related to gift counting and acceptance.
• Liaise with the Office of General Counsel, maintaining relationships with external counsel and gift planning asset administrators.
• Advise Finance and Controller’s offices on administrative and accounting matters related to past, present, and future planned gifts.
• Manage the gift planning operational budget.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of advancement experience, including a proven record of closing planned and outright gifts and securing complex asset gifts of $1M+.
• Demonstrated success in leading a comprehensive gift planning program, preferably in higher education or a similarly complex organization.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and critical-thinking skills with a collaborative and donor-centric approach.
• Deep understanding of planned giving vehicles, charitable tax law, and estate planning.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Experience working with CRM donor databases, Microsoft 365, and gift planning software.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with strong attention to detail and deadlines.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within a values-driven organization.
• Professionalism, discretion, and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Must hold a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license with an insurable driving record.

Work Environment

• Hybrid work environment with both virtual and in-person meetings.
• Travel required (10-20%), including day and overnight trips by car, plane, or public transportation.
• Occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.

Bentley University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Bentley University strives to create a campus community that welcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that values differences and views them as a strength in our community.

Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.

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