Connecticut College is conducting a regional search for a Gift Planning Specialist who will play an integral role as a partner in the Office of Gift Planning, including working with alumni in securing new planned gift commitments, coordinating trust and estate administration for Connecticut College, and providing high level administrative support for the full gift planning program. The specialist’s work covers every aspect of the planned gifts and estate process at the College, and is a critical partner with the director in building and maintaining a successful, established Gift Planning program for our Capital Campaign. Compensation includes an excellent benefits package.

Working in tandem with the Director, the specialist will plan and implement all gift planning marketing efforts, including our website vendor, print vendor, and communications liaison, and will manage the membership of the College's donor recognition society. The specialist will be responsible for entering complex data into our customized program ensuring that information entered is accurate and timely, report building and will assist in analysis of data to leverage best approaches to department goals.  The specialist will also process realized estate and other planned gifts, manage gift planning prospects with the system and keep accurate and up-to-date data on gift planning metrics. This position requires someone who has the ability to converse and correspond with donors regarding planned gifts and respond to gift planning inquiries on the phone and email and be able to demonstrate solid knowledge of planned giving vehicles including life income gifts, bequests, beneficiary designations, and charitable trusts.  This position requires someone to be able to anticipate and respond to requests and informational needs of internal and external partners.    In addition to gift planning functions the specialist will assist the group with daily tasks such as managing paper and electronic files, coordinate incoming and outgoing mail along with bulk mailings, tracking expenses and budgets and organize gift planning events both in person and virtual.  

Associates Degree and 5 years of related office experience, preferably in a College Advancement, accounting, financial, or legal office setting. Experience with legal documents required.  One or more years of experience in office or project management. Experience in constituent database usage; Must demonstrate tact, discretion, sympathy, and confidentiality, especially when communicating with grieving family members; strong written and verbal communication skills maintaining a high level of accuracy and have the ability to express complex concepts simply. Must be able to work with highly technical material, comfortable in calling and emailing donors and asking for a gift as well as communicating with attorneys, financial advisors, estate executors and banks, work independently but also be able to interact well with a variety of people within and outside of the College community.  The candidate will need to keep up to date with the latest legislation affecting gift planning, have the ability to work a flexible schedule when asked to support special programs such as reunion and fall weekend, which may include some evenings and weekends.   Computer literacy - Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, Gmail, Google Docs, Acrobat, Zoom, Salesforce, Planned Giving Manager.

Thorough applicant credentialing, including criminal records check, will be conducted on the selected candidate.

Connecticut College requires employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. This includes the booster vaccine. New employees must present their COVID-19 vaccination record to Human Resources prior to the first day of employment. Individuals who have a medical condition or sincerely held religious beliefs that prevent them from getting the vaccine may confidentially request an exemption through the office of Human Resources. Additional COVID-19 safety protocols such as participation in weekly testing will be required of faculty, staff and students who have approved vaccine exemptions.