Director, Planned Giving at American… · New City

About the Organization

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), founded in 1869 with a dual mission of scientific research and science education, is one of the world’s preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. The Museum encompasses more than 40 permanent exhibition halls, galleries for temporary exhibitions, the Rose Center for Earth and Space, including the Hayden Planetarium, and the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation. The Museum’s scientists draw on a world-class permanent collection of more than 30 million specimens and objects, some of which are billions of years old, and on one of the largest natural history libraries in the world. Through its Richard Gilder Graduate School, the Museum offers two of the only free-standing, degree-granting programs of their kind at any museum in the U.S.: the Ph.D. program in Comparative Biology and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Earth Science residency program. Visit amnh.org for more information.

Position Overview

AMNH seeks a strategic, relationship-driven Director, Planned Giving, to lead and grow a high-impact planned giving program at one of the world's most iconic cultural and scientific institutions. This person will be able to shape the next chapter of a Planned Giving program with extraordinary potential.

Reporting to the Vice President, Advancement, the Director will serve as the senior leader of the Planned Giving team, responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive planned giving program that attracts new and prospective deferred giving donors while effectively stewarding current supporters. The Director will establish and communicate the team's vision and goals, both multi-year and annual, and will be accountable for achieving those goals.

The Director will be a skilled planned giving professional, with experience in deferred gift administration as well as donor and prospect cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. They will manage their own portfolio of planned giving prospects and donors and supervise the Manager of Planned Giving. The Director will collaborate closely with frontline gift officers on planned giving strategies across the Advancement team, as well as partner closely with colleagues across Finance and the Office of General Counsel to strengthen program infrastructure and donor engagement.

Responsibilities

Planned Giving Strategy

• Provide strategic program leadership and direction to AMNH’s Planned Giving program.
• Lead in the creation, design, and execution of the Planned Giving goals and strategies to retain and grow current donors, as well as expand the base of donor support, including by developing metrics to measure ongoing success and ROI.
• Develop a strong working knowledge of Museum programs and funding priorities to articulate a compelling case for support to all constituents.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive planned giving marketing strategy, including oversight of external vendors and consultants, and ongoing management of the Museum's planned giving website.
• Stay up to date on state and federal regulations that impact the Planned Giving program, tax trends, and best practices in the field, adjusting the program's strategies and tactics accordingly.

Donor Engagement & Portfolio Management

• Build and manage a personal portfolio of planned giving donors and prospects to deepen their engagement and relationships with the Museum and increase their deferred giving.
• Oversee the management and strategic growth of the Jesup Legacy Circle, the Museum's planned giving donor stewardship program, developing programming and touchpoints that recognize, engage, and retain members.
• Develop and execute customized short-, intermediate-, and long-term cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that deepen donor relationships and align with the Museum's fundraising priorities.
• Prepare and provide information to donors and advisors about charitable gift annuities, bequest intentions, beneficiary designations, gifts of complex assets, Qualified Charitable Distributions, charitable lead trusts, and charitable remainder trusts.
• Oversee the Museum's charitable gift annuity program, including preparing and executing proposals and agreements, fulfilling annual tax reporting, and maintaining compliance with state reporting and audit requirements.
• Maintain current and accurate records in the Raiser's Edge database.

Team Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Supervise, mentor, and coach the Manager of Planned Giving, providing oversight to ensure professional development and career enhancement while leading the team to meet and exceed revenue and institutional goals.
• Serve as a collaborative thought partner in identifying planned giving opportunities across the individual giving portfolio by partnering with frontline fundraisers to develop and implement customized planned giving solicitation strategies for donors and prospects.
• Nurture relationships with financial, legal, and tax advisors in service of personalized donor stewardship strategies.
• Partner with Advancement leadership and institutional partners in Finance and the Office of General Counsel to establish and refine frameworks for projecting, counting, and reporting planned gifts.
• Collaborate with colleagues in Advancement and across the Museum on the creation and implementation of creative and impactful planned giving cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and resources while actively promoting a culture of philanthropy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience in fundraising, including at least four (4) years of planned giving experience.
• Minimum of four (4) years of management experience, including demonstrated experience successfully leading and managing a team and creating a positive and productive work environment through collaboration, trust, and transparency.
• Proven track record of meeting ambitious goals and growth in scope, scale, and responsibility of positions.
• Strong knowledge of current and evolving trends in charitable giving, particularly in the areas of complex estate planning tools, charitable tax law, estate and probate laws, and personal finance.
• Maturity and experience working closely with high-net-worth individuals, with a proven track record identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding planned gifts, including charitable gift annuities, bequests, beneficiary designations, and/or gifts of complex assets.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to work effectively with key institutional leaders, high-level volunteers, Board members, and colleagues, building trust and inspiring confidence.
• Expert written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate AMNH's mission to a broad audience.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office programs, internet applications, fundraising databases, and software programs used to prepare planned gift illustrations (knowledge of and experience with Raiser's Edge and PGM Anywhere/PG Manager a plus).
• Genuine affinity for the natural world and the ability to engage authentically with donors about the Museum's research, exhibitions, and scientific work.
• Ability to travel locally and work occasional evenings and weekends.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary in the range of $150 - $165K. Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered are based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization, and depth and scope of experience.
• AMNH offers an extensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance, Retirement Plans, and PTO. Learn more at amnh.org.

Application Process

Please submit application materials using the form below.

AMNH has retained the Orr Group to conduct this search. Please direct all inquiries, interest, and nominations to the Orr Group search team.

Jesse Bryan

Vice President

Orr Group

jbryan@orrgroup.com

About Orr Group

Orr Group is a strategic partner to nonprofit organizations, offering comprehensive fundraising and executive recruitment support that advances mission, maximizes philanthropic potential, and builds long-term sustainability. We specialize in the business of philanthropy, helping our partners drive results through data-informed strategies, embedded team members, and hands-on implementation.