"Senior Director of Gift Planning"

Job Details

State Title: Senior Director

Bargaining Unit: Non-Unit

Employment Type: 35 hours per week/Full-time

External salary: Up to $175,000

NON-UNION POSITIONS: For non-unit positions, salary commensurate with experience and is accompanied by a competitive benefits package.

About TCNJ

Founded in 1855, TCNJ offers a highly personalized and collaborative liberal arts education with over 7,400 undergraduates and 700 graduate students. The college is consistently ranked among the top comprehensive colleges in the nation, offering small classes, a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, and an immersive living-learning experience. With a 4-year graduation rate ranked #1 in New Jersey and #9 among U.S. public institutions, TCNJ is a model for public higher education.

Position Overview:

The College of New Jersey is entering an exciting new era under the leadership of President Michael Bernstein and Vice President for College Advancement, David Muha. With the upcoming public launch of the Elevating Excellence campaign—an ambitious $76M initiative supporting scholarships, academic enrichment, student experience, and capital priorities—TCNJ seeks an accomplished Senior Director of Gift Planning to lead its growing planned giving program.

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and Campaign Manager, the Senior Director will serve as a key member of the Office of Development's leadership team. This individual will advance a comprehensive gift planning strategy that blends direct fundraising with expert consultation to strengthen deferred and blended giving. The Senior Director will also play a pivotal role in campaign planning and donor engagement, cultivating meaningful relationships with alumni, friends, and advisors to secure transformational support.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, market, and manage a comprehensive planned giving program that educates donors and advisors on deferred and blended giving opportunities.
• Partner with development colleagues to integrate gift planning strategies into major and principal gift work.
• Manage a portfolio of major and planned giving prospects, meeting defined annual and campaign fundraising goals.
• Oversee marketing, stewardship, and recognition efforts for planned giving, including the Heritage Society.
• Collaborate across Advancement to align planned giving with campaign priorities and donor communications.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive fundraising and/or estate planning experience, including success securing six- and seven-figure planned or blended gifts.
• Strong understanding of charitable gift planning vehicles, legal and financial considerations, and donor cultivation best practices.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and inspire philanthropy across diverse constituencies.
• Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and commitment to public higher education.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree preferred.

Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations in order to perform the essential functions of the position. If the requested accommodation(s) cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, the applicant may not be eligible for the position.

Employer Qualifications

Employment at TCNJ is contingent upon the successful completion of an applicable background check, reference checks, and verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States (Form I-9).

Accommodation: Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview should contact hr@tcnj.edu.

Employee Benefits

As a member of The College of New Jersey Community, you will be a part of an exciting and rewarding public university career. Eligible full-time employees will be able to take advantage of a generous benefits package that includes health, welfare, and retirement benefits, including:

• Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical, dental and prescription plans
• Generous leave entitlements program and Energy Savings Program
• Employee and dependent Tuition Waiver and Reimbursement Program
• Pension, retirement, and deferred compensation plans, group life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee affinity groups
• New Jersey State Employee Discount Program (Pet insurance, cell phone plan discounts, discounted amusement park tickets, etc.)
• Access to extensive learning opportunities

To view a comprehensive list of benefits available to employees, visit our Health Benefits Plans and Programs page to learn more!

Why TCNJ?

Located in Ewing, NJ within easy reach of Princeton, Philadelphia, and New York City, TCNJ offers an attractive work environment, generous benefits (including tuition assistance and summer Fridays), and a culture rooted in community, integrity, and excellence.

How to Apply

DHR Global is honored to partner with TCNJ on this important search. For questions, contact Diane Charness, Managing Partner (dcharness@dhrglobal.com), or Tedric Palmer, Senior Associate (tpalmer@dhrglobal.com).

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume via this link: APPLY HERE. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The College is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive campus community that respects and uplifts individuals from all backgrounds. We value the varied perspectives, experiences, and talents of all members of our community and strive to create an environment where everyone has equitable access to opportunities for success. As an equal opportunity employer, we comply with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. We encourage applications from individuals whose lived experiences and professional interests align with our institutional mission of academic excellence, access, and integrity.