Overview

This is a leadership role within UMBC’s Office of Institutional Advancement, responsible for managing the Planned Giving team and developing enterprise-wide strategies to secure transformational support. The Director leads in a high-growth environment, driving collaborative efforts across the centralized development team and acting as the university’s subject matter expert for planned, estate, blended, and complex gifts. A primary focus of this role is the strategic re-branding, re-launching, and ongoing management of UMBC’s legacy society.

Responsibilities

Donor Portfolio and Gift Planning Strategies

• Serves as the lead strategist for the development and execution of university-wide gift planning initiatives.
• Develops and maintains a portfolio of active donor relationships to maximize philanthropic opportunities using blended and tax-wise gift approaches.
• Collaborates with development officers, academic leaders, and external legal/financial advisors to execute complex gift planning strategies that align with donor intent and university priorities.

Legacy Society Leadership and Program Management

• Leads the comprehensive re-branding and re-launching of the UMBC legacy society to increase visibility and member engagement.
• Manages the day-to-day operations and growth of the legacy society, ensuring proper stewardship and recognition of all planned gift donors.
• Provides leadership and performance management for the Gift Planning team, including hiring, training, and professional coaching.
• Develops comprehensive training for the broader development community to increase institutional capacity for identifying planned giving prospects.

Operational Leadership and Marketing

• Provides leadership to key collaborative operational partnerships to ensure a seamless donor experience and optimal program production.
• Functions as the primary lead for operational services that enhance non-cash and special gift-giving activities.
• Leads the strategy for growth and retention of the planned gift donor pipeline through a comprehensive, centralized marketing strategy.
• Partners with Advancement Communications to facilitate effective outreach and educational materials for donors and their professional advisors.
• Plans and executes strategic initiatives that integrate gift planning into the overall goals of the university’s fundraising campaigns.

Required Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in development, with at least 5 years specifically focused on planned giving or trust/estate law.
• Proven Track Record: Demonstrated success in building or significantly scaling a planned giving program within a higher education or non-profit environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Deep knowledge of IRS regulations regarding charitable contributions and expertise in using planned giving software (e.g., PG Calc, Crescendo).

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required
• JD, CFP, or CAP® certification is highly preferred.

Candidate Profile

• Self-Starter: You don’t wait for a manual; you create one. You are comfortable working independently to establish new processes.
• High Performer: You are driven by metrics and the tangible impact your work has on student scholarships and faculty research.
• Sophisticated Communicator: You can translate complex financial concepts into compelling, heart-centered stories for donors.
• Trusted Partner: Build strategic relationships across campus with academic leaders to raise the profile of planned giving at UMBC and showcase the impact it can have on the future of the university.