POSITION SPECIFICS

Penn State is currently seeking a Director of Gift Acceptance to support The Office of Gift Planning. As a member of the Division of Development and Alumni Relations, you can play an integral role in Penn State’s future and contribute to one of the most successful fundraising and alumni relations operations in the country.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Gift Planning and with significant experience in gift planning and gift administration the Director of Gift Acceptance will:

• Assist in the creation of all endowed funds;
• Articulate Penn State’s needs, ambitions, and values through excellent informal and formal communications;
• Draft and route detailed and complex gift agreements pertaining to new gifts, changes to allocation/purpose of previous contributions, and revocation of previously documented commitments;
• Supervise five (5) full-time staff members in daily gift acceptance tasks;
• Oversee and manage the administration of probate estates and trusts that benefit Penn State;
• Document and record future pledges;
• Support team members who administer the University’s $170 million life income gift program, working closely with the Offices of Gift Planning and Treasury and the University’s third-party administrator TIAA Kaspick;
• Manage the University’s gift-in-kind acceptance process;
• Supervise the University’s donated life insurance portfolio and work closely with Treasury in aspects of life insurance policy administration;
• Collaborate with internal and external DDAR partners on gift acceptance and legal issues;
• Assist University colleagues in processing and documenting gifts to Penn State.

The successful candidate will have:

• Significant experience in gift recording and acceptance policies, specifically in the field of higher education, with a preference for individuals with a Master’s degree or JD;
• The exemplary interpersonal and communication skills required to build relationships with sophisticated and high-net worth audiences;
• The ability to create and maintain an inclusive and respectful environment for all students and colleagues;
• Supervisory experience of administrative and professional staff;
• Familiarity with planned gifts, life income gifts, and estate/trust administration;
• Experience in drafting or reviewing gift documentation or legal contracts and agreements;
• Knowledge of federal and state charitable giving and estate laws;
• The ability to communicate complex gift and financial details to a variety of audiences including internal and external constituents;
• The capacity to meet tight deadlines and to handle multiple projects simultaneously;
• A demonstrated ability to interact effectively and efficiently with donors, development officers, and members of the legal & advisory communities;
• A proven ability to self-motivate and work both independently and as part of a team;
• A commitment to professional development, learning, and being mentored.

DDAR is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. Questions related to flexible work arrangements should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None

Please refer the Job description for details