Executive Director of Planned Giving

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The mission of NJIT's Office of University Advancement is to cultivate understanding, engagement, and philanthropic support from the university's key constituencies to secure the resources necessary to fulfill NJIT's educational mission.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President of University Advancement, the Executive Director of Planned Giving serves as a senior frontline fundraiser responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts of $25,000+ in support of institutional priorities.

The Executive Director of Planned Giving will manage a portfolio of high-value prospects and donors, including alumni, corporate leaders, foundations, and friends of the university, with the goal of securing six- and seven-figure commitments that advance NJIT's mission and strategic priorities.

The Executive Director of Planned Giving will partner closely with academic deans, university leadership, faculty, and colleagues across Advancement to provide strategic direction for fundraising in the assigned college, school, or unit, while also contributing to the overall success of NJIT's comprehensive fundraising efforts.

• Independently manage a portfolio of ~125 major and principal gift prospects through all phases of the donor cycle.
• Conduct at least 144 prospect and donor meetings annually (12 per month) to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects.
• Complete a minimum of 30 major and principal gift-level solicitations or proposals annually, resulting in at least $1 million in new commitments per year.
• Draft compelling proposals and related donor communications that clearly articulate the case for support.
• Prepare strategic donor briefings for the President, Provost, deans, and senior leadership, as appropriate.
• Build and sustain long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between donors and NJIT.
• Partner with deans and unit leadership to align fundraising with academic priorities, including advisory board engagement and related advancement activities.
• Recommend appropriate gift opportunities and vehicles to prospective donors.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues across campus to identify opportunities, coordinate strategies, and share best practices.
• Serve as the primary Advancement liaison to the assigned college/unit.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of NJIT's mission, programs, and strategic fundraising priorities.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
  Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, preferably in higher education, with a record of closing six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Commitment to the mission, vision, and goals of a leading public polytechnic university.
• Exceptional written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of advancement and major gift strategies.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with the philanthropic landscape of northern New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with Raiser's Edge NXT or similar CRM system.
• Willingness to travel and work evenings/weekends as required.

University Advancement

$120,000 - $140,000

At the university's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

NJIT considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. This pay range represents base pay only and excludes any additional items such as incentives, bonuses, or other items. To learn more about the comprehensive benefits NJIT offers for this position, please visit our benefits page: https://hr.njit.edu/health-benefits.

As an EEO employer NJIT is committed to building a diverse and inclusive teaching, research, and working environment and strongly encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women.

Employment at NJIT is subject to the provisions of New Jersey First Act which mandates new employees, who are not NJ residents, to establish primary residence in New Jersey within one year of their appointment to certain positions. The law does not apply to any individual employed at NJIT on a temporary or per semester basis as a visiting or adjunct professor, teacher, lecturer, researcher or administrator. For more information on the act please click here.

If special accommodations are needed in applying for a position, please visit the Department of Human Resources located in Fenster Hall, 5th Floor, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102 or call (973) 596-3140. If you have questions, please email the Human Resources Department at hr@njit.edu.

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