Under the supervision of the Executive Director of Planned Giving, the Assistant Director of Planned Giving serves as a donor-facing fundraising professional responsible for securing planned gifts and complex outright gifts in support of West Virginia University and its affiliates. The Assistant Director manages an individual portfolio of prospects and donors while also serving as a planned giving resource for unit-based major gift officers, integrating charitable gift planning into broader fundraising strategies across the University.

This role requires a strong willingness to collaborate with internal partners, meet with donors, conduct face-to-face visits, and engage in substantive gift planning conversations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Donor Engagement and Fundraising

•    Manage an assigned portfolio of planned giving prospects and donors, guiding relationships from identification and qualification through solicitation, documentation, and stewardship.

•    Conduct a minimum of 50 donor visits annually, primarily within West Virginia and the surrounding region, with additional travel as appropriate, to advance active solicitations and planned gift discussions.

•    Personally solicit and close planned and blended gifts, including bequests, beneficiary designations (retirement plans and life insurance), and gifts involving both current and deferred components.

•    Document donor contact, strategy, and gift outcomes in the Foundation’s CRM in a timely and accurate manner.

Gift Planning Expertise

•    Serve as a primary gift planning resource for bequests and beneficiary designations, including leading technical gift discussions and documentation for assigned donors and in support of regional and unit-based fundraisers.

•    Develop charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts (CRUTs/CRATs) with review and approval by the Executive Director of Planned Giving.

•    Explain charitable gift options and general tax and estate planning considerations to donors in a clear, donor-centered manner.

•    Prepare or substantially contribute to gift agreements, beneficiary language, and related documentation, subject to Foundation processes.

Collaboration with Development Colleagues

•    Proactively partner with major gift officers and development staff across colleges, units, and regions to:

•    Identify planned giving opportunities within existing portfolios

•    Participate in joint donor visits

•    Integrate planned giving strategies into major gift solicitations

•    Serve as an on-call planned giving specialist for the Foundation, providing guidance and support to development colleagues as needed.

•    Determine donor relationship management responsibilities on a case-by-case basis in coordination with unit and regional fundraisers.

Stewardship and Donor Relations

•    Implement appropriate stewardship strategies to ensure donors feel informed, valued, and confident in the Foundation and the University.

•    Assist with the administration and growth of the Irvin Stewart Society, including donor recognition and engagement activities.

•    Maintain long-term relationships with planned giving donors to encourage continued engagement and philanthropic commitment.

Marketing, Communications, and Outreach

•    Assist in the development and execution of planned giving marketing and communications efforts, including donor-facing materials and outreach initiatives.

•    Represent the Planned Giving Office to external audiences and professional groups as assigned, including estate planning councils and affinity organizations.

Professional Development

•    Maintain current knowledge of charitable gift planning techniques, tax considerations, and industry best practices.

•    Participate in continuing education and professional development activities related to planned giving and philanthropy, as approved by the Executive Director of Planned Giving.