Rice University has retained Lindauer, an executive search firm, to assist in this search. Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled. Candidates should submit, in confidence, a resume and cover letter. Communications, nominations, applications, and inquiries concerning this search should be directed to Faith Montgomery, Senior Vice President, fmontgomery@lindauerglobal.com and Raegan Harvey, Senior Consultant, rharvey@lindauerglobal.com.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The Executive Director of Gift Planning envisions, manages, implements and leads a creative program for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding planned and blended gift donors. This role is critical to advancing Rice University’s mission and strengthening the University’s philanthropy programs and will play a crucial role in the upcoming campaign.

Reporting to and working closely with the Associate Vice President, Individual Giving in the Development and Alumni Relations division, the Executive Director of Gift Planning will help cultivate high-value opportunities for transformational giving and advance long-term support through effective stewardship. Collaborating effectively with the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, Major Gift and Principal Gift Officers, and key stakeholders across campus, the Executive Director of Gift Planning will foster relationships and expand the pipeline for planned and blended gifts. This individual will create proactive strategies designed to facilitate legacy and asset-based gifts that accomplish both the donor’s and Rice’s mission.

The Executive Director of Gift Planning will manage a small portfolio of donors, will lead the Gift Planning team of five, will provide gift planning expertise for the larger development team, and will work closely with Rice Trust, Inc.

The ideal candidate is a highly collaborative leader, strategic thinker, and independent entrepreneur with a demonstrated track record of securing planned gift commitments and has a proven ability to refine and actualize fundraising priorities in conjunction with key academic partners and administration.

Workplace Requirements:

Must possess (or have the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and maintain a valid Texas driver’s license with no more than three moving violations and/or at fault accidents within the past 36 months, and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years.

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. This position currently has a hybrid work arrangement with a minimum of two days per week in the office. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. 

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. 

Minimum Requirements: 

Bachelor’s Degree  9+ years’ experience of combined planned gift and major gift fundraising, including at least five years of demonstrated success in gift planning and closing deferred and complex asset planned gifts at all asset levels.  Also, successful experience in the fields of professional financial planning, trust officer, or in the practice of law working with clients in estate and/or tax planning will also be considered Demonstrated success in expanding the donor pipeline for current and deferred gifts and in working with high-level constituencies Successful experience leading a team of professionals

Skills: 

Strong leadership and strategic management skills Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills  Excellent written and verbal communication skills Ability to lead and motivate groups of diverse individuals Excellent ability to understand constituent needs and show good judgment and diplomacy Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain confidentiality of donor information Strong practical skills in gift and/or estate planning requirements and techniques Strong knowledge of all manner of planned gift vehicles, gifts of complex assets, charitable tax laws, and estate and tax planning Excellent data analysis skills Excellent client service orientation Excellent interpersonal skills

Preferences:

J.D or Master’s degree Successful fundraising experience in a higher education or other complex non-profit institution Experience working in a capital campaign Experience using Blackbaud CRM or similar CRM Experience with gift planning software such as PG-Calc Experience  in a PC/Windows environment using Microsoft Office tools  Bar admission in a U.S. state; CFA, CFP, CTFA, CFRE, or other advanced financial planning or fundraising certification

Essential Functions:

Gift Planning Program Development: Build and implement a results-oriented legacy and gift planning program, developing strategies to cultivate, steward and expand the donor pipeline. Administer the university’s program for generating philanthropic support through wills and bequests, trusts, gift annuities, pooled income funds, insurance, and other assets and non-cash gift support. Educational Leadership and Collaboration: Provide strategic guidance, technical expertise and resources to gift officers, leadership in Development and Alumni Relations, dean(s), faculty, program directors and other university leaders on best practices in legacy and asset-based philanthropy. Develop a creative, highly interactive in-house gift planning curriculum for colleagues, prospective donors, class volunteers, and other identified key leaders. Marketing: Partner with the Marketing and Communications team in Development and Alumni Relations to develop and execute a comprehensive communication and marketing strategy to increase Legacy Society membership, raise awareness of planned giving opportunities and increase visibility of Rice’s expertise in accepting charitable donations of complex and non-cash gifts.  Stewardship and Relationship Building: Build and strengthen long-term relationships with legacy giving donors, stewarding high-capacity donors and prospects. Partner with donors and their families and/or financial and legal advisors to facilitate a seamless gift planning process that aligns with the donor’s and Rice’s objectives. Collaborate with the constituent relations team to ensure strategic donor recognition. Program Metrics and Evaluation: Develop and monitor metrics to assess the program’s success and ROI, continuously refining strategies based on performance data. Partner with outside consultants and vendors as needed to support legacy giving initiatives and ensure program effectiveness.  Management and Leadership: Oversee the work of the gift planning team, leveraging the goal-setting process and performance management system to support team members’ success and professional development. Serve as a resource, role model and coach to the team.  Portfolio Management and Fundraising: Engage a select portfolio of high-capacity prospects, securing philanthropic investments of $100,000+ in support of the University. Knowledge and Compliance: Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and ethical standards. Maintain and extend knowledge and expertise in tax, investments, trusts and estates, and other laws affecting gift planning. Program Operations: Work in coordination with the Office of Investments to ensure that servicing and administration of all deferred arrangements are handled promptly and efficiently. Serves as liaison between the Development Office and Rice Trust, Inc., a trustee for charitable remainder trusts. Perform other duties as assigned. 

Additional Functions:

Local and national travel to visit with prospects and donors (up to 20% of the time) Occasional weekend and evening events Maintain and develop ongoing knowledge of all manner of planned gift vehicles and gifts of complex assets Stay current with and continue developing knowledge of all existing and changing charitable tax laws  Has frequent and ongoing contact with colleagues in Development and Alumni Relations, as well as the Office of Investments Has some contact with the General Counsel’s Office, deans, faculty and other university offices Has extensive contact with alumni, friends and parents, plus attorneys, financial planners and other professionals

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview 

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University 

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and the full inclusion of all qualified persons in the workplace. This commitment includes providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. For applicants with disabilities who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.