Global Director of Gift Planning

Feb 21

Written By Yolanda F. Johnson

The Nature Conservancy
New Haven, CT

Anticipated Start Date: 4/21/25

Description

Responsibilities

The Global Director of Gift Planning manages a gift planning team that secures significant financial resources from individuals to support conservation goals around the world.

They will:

1. Lead and manage an experienced team of approximately 80 staff, including a Gift Planning fundraising team that both directly closes gifts and coaches others; a Gift Planning Analytics & Support team that manages fundraising operational support; a Gift Administration team that manages stock and estate administration as well as gift acceptance, compliance and oversight of asset management; a Gift Planning Strategy & Stewardship team that oversees marketing, outreach and legacy club stewardship; and a Gift Planning volunteer program. In directing the work of staff, promote a culture of high performance, integrity, and continuous improvement that values learning, collaboration, and a commitment to quality work.

2. Lead the development and oversight of a strategic plan for deferred and complex gift fundraising at the Nature Conservancy. Manage the team to increase pipeline for future growth and ensure that targeted goals are met across the program.

3. Engage and influence Executive, Regional, Business Unit and volunteer leaders as champions of philanthropy, collaborating with them to create and execute the strategic plan, institutionalize best practices that include integrated complex and gift planning strategies, and evaluate innovative approaches, to identify and resolve barriers to success. Cultivate and solicit key organizational donors.

4. Partner with the Chief Development Officer and other Development Department heads on Campaign fundraising priorities and those of Global Development, and contribute to a culture of learning, sharing and joint problem-solving.

5. Ensure that processes, relationship management techniques, and data-informed decision-making guide the work of the gift planning team. Lead programs to establish, monitor and track measures, lead indicators, and activity level benchmarks to achieve maximum success and establish and provide oversight for policies, procedures, and institutional guidelines related to gift planning. The Director is a leader and manager adept at balancing internal management with external impact and visibility. They lead strategic dialogues with senior-level stakeholders - including business unit leadership and volunteers, legal/financial advisors - probing to identify key issues and requirements, negotiating, and developing solutions, and synthesizing a plan of action tailored to audience. They are able to build and nurture effective and collaborative working relationships with leadership across the organization.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU

The Director will bring innovative ideas and practices to a Gift Planning program whose hallmark has been one of innovation and continual improvement as we enter our next organizational campaign. They are an individual who acts with integrity and discretion, who maintains confidentiality, and who understands and complies with all TNC gift-related policies and procedures and ensures ethical compliance, as defined by the Association for Fundraising Professionals and the Association for Charitable Gift Planners.

Requirements

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We’re looking for a passionate, dedicated person to lead all aspects of a large multidisciplinary department. Communication, relationship building and managing strategic initiatives with broad impact are key in this role. The Director will bring innovative ideas and practices to a Gift Planning program whose hallmark has been one of innovation and continual improvement as we enter our next organizational campaign. They are an individual who acts with integrity and discretion, who maintains confidentiality, and who understands and complies with all TNC gift-related policies and procedures and ensures ethical compliance, as defined by the Association for Fundraising Professionals and the Association for Charitable Gift Planners.

What You’ll Bring:

Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years related experience, including 5 years working at a senior level.
Management experience of a large multidisciplinary department, including planning and delivering budgetary responsibilities.
Experience with charitable remainder trusts and complex assets, including real estate.
Experience developing policies, procedures, and practices in gift planning.
Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents.
Experience conceiving and managing strategic initiatives with broad impact.
Experience working in a large, complex, not-for-profit environment.
Experience, coursework, or other training in principles, practices, and procedures of charitable giving.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS (not required)

Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
Extensive experience effectively communicating via presentations, conversations, and documents.
Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in gift planning.
Expert understanding of best practices in non-profit management.
Extensive management experience for a geographically dispersed team.
Knowledge of advanced complex gift planning concepts.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $215,000-$341,000 for annual base salary.

This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers. We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ! This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

How to Apply for this Job

Apply Now

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures.

Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

About the Organization

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive.

Founded at its grassroots in the United States in 1951, The Nature Conservancy has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and more than 400 scientists, we impact conservation in 79 countries and territories across six continents.

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