Senior Director of Philanthropic Planning

Position Purpose:

The Senior Director of Philanthropic Planning leads the business development function for the Foundation, and is the primary point of contact for all incoming donors. The Senior Director is responsible for developing, overseeing, and implementing all of the Foundation’s business development strategies, leading the business development team, and meeting annual development goals.

Responsibility Level:

The Senior Director of Philanthropic Planning reports directly to the Chief Philanthropy Office and leads a team of two Directors and one Associate.

Essential Functions:

Leading Strategy and New Product and Service Design, Development and Implementation

  • Leads the Foundation’s efforts to fulfill the business development goals and strategies, including a particular emphasis on annual goals related to the fit, quality, and size of new funds.
  • Monitors legislative changes regarding philanthropic vehicles, and changes to estate and tax laws that may affect charitable giving and/or planning.
  • Continually researches and monitors trends in philanthropy and the ultra-high net worth sector, locally, nationally, and globally; adjusts strategies accordingly.
  • Works with other partners within Philanthropic Partnerships and across the Foundation in the design, development, and launch of new products and services, to keep the Foundation relevant and at the cutting edge of the philanthropic space.

Prospect Meetings

  • Works with all prospective clients and their professional advisory team or family office, particularly those who are larger and more complex, in understanding their specific situation, needs, and pain points to determine fit with MCF.
  • Drafts and presents proposals, and acts as the central point of contact for the Foundation until the deal closes. This can include:

    - Requesting all relevant gift information, particularly regarding complex gifts (real estate, limited partnerships, cryptocurrency etc.), collating all required information, working internally with Finance, and externally with client’s advisory team to ensure appropriate legal issues have been covered, and that appropriate signatures are in place.

    - Collates and presents all outside investment management information for sign off by the Foundation’s Investment Committee.

    - Drafts a fund agreement that clearly outlines the client wishes, and ensures that all of the necessary documentation is signed, collated and ready for Finance to establish the philanthropic vehicle in question.

    - Oversees receipt and appropriate investment allocation of the gift.

    - Ensures a smooth handoff to the relevant philanthropic advisor/advisory team.

Leading the Planning Team

  • Guides, builds, and inspires the Planning Team to succeed in implementing and achieving the Foundation’s business development goals.
  • Ensures that Director of Philanthropic Planning has the tools, resources, and support to effectively manage the highest quality outreach and relationship management to new and existing MCF professional advisor partners.
  • Ensures that Director of Fundraising has the tools, resources, and support to effectively manage the highest quality outreach and relationship management to existing and prospective clients, private foundations, and government entities, in supporting MCF initiatives.
  • Ensures that Philanthropic Planning Associate has the tools, resources, and support to effectively manage the highest quality outreach and relationship management to existing and prospective legacy clients of the Foundation, as well as the operational tasks and projects that are a critical part of this role.
  • Fosters diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the team and throughout the Planning team’s work.
  • Oversees operations and conducts financial analysis, planning, and reporting for the team.
  • Partners with the Chief Philanthropy Officer, the Senior Director of Philanthropic Operations, and the Senior Director for the Family Office to support the department's efforts, enable cohesive cross-team collaboration, and foster the department’s mission and goals.

Operations

  • Oversees the Associate, Philanthropic Planning on all operational issues including:

    - Handling of all legacy gifts into the Foundation, both internally and externally;

    - All monthly Financial Reporting on gifts into the Foundation;

    - Fund trend reports;

    - Systems changes; and

    - Fund amendments.

  • Serves as primary point of contact for all new gifts into existing funds, partnering with the philanthropic advisor for the fund, and finance department.
  • Serves as central knowledge base for all things fund-related within the department; for example: investment allocation, endowment earnings, and legacy planning

Other

  • Handles responsibility for selection and invitation of the Foundation’s Professional Advisory Committee (PAC).
  • Hosts, facilitates and sets the agenda for the 3 annual PAC meetings.
  • Provides oversight for our professional advisor events (typically 3 annually). Introduces the speaker and welcomes the attendees.
  • Attends all Foundation Investment Committee meetings.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Performance Standards:

The Senior Director of Philanthropic Planning will be evaluated by the Chief Philanthropy Officer on her/his ability to perform the essential functions of the position; the ability to demonstrate the skills described below; the ability to meet annual individual and departmental goals; the ability to effectively supervise staff assigned to the department; and the ability to complete job duties in a professional, cooperative, and timely manner. The incumbent will also be evaluated on her/his communication skills and professional interactions with staff, directors, foundation partners, and community members, as well as, the ability to listen carefully, think critically, and understand issues.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Ten years of progressive experience in development or sales with a focus on high-net worth individuals.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of law as it relates to charitable planning, preferred but not necessary.
  • Proven track record of setting and achieving sales/revenue goals.
  • Strong management skills including the ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports; to participate in staff selection; to provide or coordinate staff training; to provide timely, relevant, and accurate feedback related to performance; and to administer disciplinary action as warranted.
  • Proficient writing, editing and proofreading skills with the ability to gather and organize information appropriately
  • Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and the ability to effectively utilize proprietary software.
  • Strong planning and implementation skills; research and synthesizing abilities.
  • Excellent ability to prioritize, organize, and manage multiple competing assignments and responsibilities.
  • Excellent customer service and communication skills (listening, interpersonal, oral, and written).
  • A high degree of professionalism, confidence and flexibility that allows the incumbent to work collaboratively and effectively with clients and colleagues of diverse backgrounds.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work well in a team environment. Ability to develop and maintain a good working relationship with the Foundation staff, members of the community, elected officials, the media, colleagues in other foundations, and members of the nonprofit sector.
  • High level of personal and professional integrity and ethics.
  • Interest in philanthropy and the non-profit community.

Salary Range: $180,000 to $190,000

If interested, please send resume and letter to Nikki Collins.

MCF has updated its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The complete text of each can be found at
Privacy Policy and Terms of Service