Legacy Giving Officer

The Legacy Giving Officer is responsible for implementing initiatives to identify, cultivate, solicit, steward, and retain planned giving prospects to ensure a strong base of perpetual financial support for Carnegie Museums (CM). This position is responsible for direct donor engagement, helping individuals navigate planned giving options, the execution of communications and programs focused on stewardship and cultivation of planned gifts.

This position holds the primary responsibility for stewarding gifts of estates, trusts, and various other financial venues that reflect financial planning and deferred giving opportunities for CM. The Legacy Giving Officer leads gift planning efforts within CM and serves as a fundraising liaison to museum-based fundraising teams, oversees communications, prepares written materials, keeps digital and print marketing collateral current, manages the planned giving society (Cornice Society), and hosts special events.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
A minimum of 3 years of related experience in individual fundraising with strong emphasis on planned gift cultivation and solicitation, or related experience.
Familiarity with the Pittsburgh funding community is a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Ability to collaborate effectively and develop positive relationships with a diverse group of colleagues, donors, prospects, and volunteers.
Excellent verbal and written communications skills; strict attention to detail; commitment to exemplary customer service; diplomacy and persuasive abilities in dealing with donors and colleagues alike.
Must be creative and a self-starter with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple assignments at once, and work effectively under deadlines and the pressures of a fast-paced work environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with CRM systems.
Willingness to occasionally work early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
Demonstrated success in securing planned gifts, working with bequests and endowments, as well as familiarity or comfort securing major gifts.
Results-oriented team player with optimistic attitude who takes initiative as an independent worker.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work is primarily sedentary in nature; no special demands are required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Assist in development of planned giving strategy and prospect development.
Support the creation and distribution of marketing materials and communications.
Ongoing stewardship of planned giving donors and Cornice Society members.
Develop and maintain a portfolio of planned giving prospects and achieve individual targets for meetings, solicitations, and developing leads.
Work closely and collaboratively with donor-facing team members to guide and inform on cultivating planned giving prospects and donor in their portfolios.
Manage logistics related to working with donors and adheres to the department’s reporting and documentation processes. Prepare and enter contact reports from prospect interactions on a timely basis.
Join and attend professional groups and educational sessions to keep abreast of current trend in planned giving and major gifts.
Help CM meet fundraising goals by having a thorough understanding of current capital and programs fundraising priorities, needs for endowments, Annual Giving program, Giving Societies, and the advantages of membership in various gift recognition societies.