Manager, Gift Planning

Job Posting Organization:
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was founded in 1961 and has since become one of the leading global conservation organizations. With a mission to help people and nature thrive, WWF operates in over 100 countries worldwide. The organization partners with communities, companies, and governments to protect wildlife, conserve vital habitats, and advance sustainable solutions. Grounded in scientific research and driven by collaboration, WWF focuses on conserving biodiversity, supporting resilient communities, and addressing climate change. The organization boasts nearly 1 million members in the United States and over 5 million globally, reflecting its extensive reach and commitment to environmental conservation.

Job Overview:
The Manager, Gift Planning at WWF plays a crucial role in the organization by acting as the deputy to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Senior Director of Gift Planning. This position is primarily focused on leading the donor-facing aspects of the Gift Planning program. The manager is responsible for guiding follow-up strategies for all donor inquiries and ensuring effective cultivation, qualification, and closing of planned gifts. This role also includes supervising Gift Planning Officers (GPOs) who are tasked with securing bequests, life income arrangements, and other current and deferred gift commitments. Additionally, the manager oversees the Gift Planning Development Coordinator to ensure timely entry and management of all marketing leads, accurate data tracking, and smooth execution of administrative operations. The manager will also maintain a personal portfolio of donor inquiries and oversee pipeline management and reporting processes, making this position integral to the success of WWF's fundraising efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Manager, Gift Planning will have a variety of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Strategic Leadership & Pipeline Management: Lead and manage the activities of Gift Planning Officers to ensure prompt follow-up on all new leads and effective progression through cultivation, qualification, and closing stages. Review, refine, and improve processes and procedures for donor cultivation and gift tracking. Implement measurable goals for outreach calls and donor contacts as part of comprehensive pipeline management. Monitor and evaluate team performance based on progress toward established goals and key performance indicators. Create and implement work processes that increase efficiency and effectiveness through strategic use of tools, data, and analysis. Manage inquiry pipeline reporting and ensure accurate forecasting of planned gift activity.
• Program Development & Strategy: Partner with the Senior Director of Gift Planning to develop and execute annual and long-term gift planning goals, focusing on increasing the number of documented planned gift intentions. Ensure meaningful and personalized stewardship of Legacy Circle members within GPO portfolios. Refine outreach strategies to engage and qualify gift planning prospects.
• Team Leadership & Collaboration: Manage, mentor, and motivate Gift Planning Officers to achieve individual and team goals. Foster strong collaboration with Annual Giving and Regional Philanthropy Officers to support integrated fundraising strategies. Provide mentoring, coaching, and cross-training opportunities across regional teams to build capacity and strengthen performance.
• Portfolio Management & Stewardship: Maintain a balanced personal portfolio of donor inquiries and existing donors, providing appropriate stewardship and engagement to donors while fulfilling broader program management responsibilities.
• Administrative & Operational Oversight: Supervise the Gift Planning Development Coordinator to ensure timely entry and assignment of all marketing leads, effective coverage of phone and email inquiries, accurate tracking of GPO travel and expense reporting, and management of departmental data systems and administrative projects assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Manager, Gift Planning position must possess a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, along with a minimum of 8 years of demonstrated success in planned giving, including staff supervision. A proven track record in implementing strategies and systems to substantially increase efficiency in a gift planning program is essential. Candidates should have effective collaboration skills, both externally with allied professionals and internally with peers and broader staff. A working knowledge of the technical, legal, and financial requirements associated with planned giving is required. Relevant professional credentials or planned giving certifications (e.g., CPA, JD, CFP, CAP, CGPA, CFRE) are preferred. Candidates must demonstrate expertise in working with donors, volunteers, and allied professionals, and should be able to conceptualize and implement qualification and solicitation strategies and pipeline management systems involving a high volume of inquiries. Knowledge of direct mail, marketing, and the legal and technical aspects of planned giving is also necessary. Excellent management, supervision, and organizational skills, as well as strong oral and written communication skills, are required. Proficiency in Microsoft Word suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is essential, along with experience using planned gift calculation software (e.g., PG Calc, Crescendo).

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required for the Manager, Gift Planning position. This educational background should ideally be complemented by relevant coursework or training in areas related to fundraising, nonprofit management, or financial planning, which would enhance the candidate's ability to perform effectively in this role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of demonstrated success in planned giving, which includes experience in staff supervision. Candidates should have a proven ability to implement strategies and systems that significantly increase efficiency in a gift planning program. Experience in collaborating with external allied professionals and internal peers is essential, as is a working knowledge of the technical, legal, and financial requirements associated with planned giving. Candidates should also have expertise in managing donor relationships and a strong understanding of the fundraising landscape.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for effective communication with donors and colleagues. Additional language skills may be beneficial in engaging with diverse donor populations and enhancing the organization's outreach efforts.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Washington, DC, with a hybrid work model preferred. Candidates interested in working from the Chicago, Illinois, or San Francisco, California offices will also be considered. The role requires in-office work a minimum of two days per week for all locations. Strong preference is given to candidates based in the Washington, DC office. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S., as this position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Relocation assistance is not provided for this position. WWF promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.