Senior Charitable Estate Planning Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
The American Heart Association (AHA) was founded in 1924 and has since made significant strides in reducing cardiovascular disease deaths by half. The organization is dedicated to addressing the most pressing health challenges and is committed to ensuring a healthier future for all. With a mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, the AHA operates in various capacities across the United States and beyond, engaging in advocacy, education, and research to improve health outcomes. The AHA values its employees and promotes a culture of work-life harmonization, encouraging personal and professional growth through various resources and support systems.

Job Overview:
The Senior Charitable Estate Planning Advisor is a senior-level fundraising position within the Mission Advancement department of the American Heart Association, based in Dallas, TX. This role is pivotal in engaging with professional estate planning and wealth advisors, as well as current and potential individual donors, to facilitate charitable gift planning. The advisor will be responsible for mastering the AHA's mission, understanding gift options, and staying updated on the latest initiatives to effectively inspire and engage donors and advisors. The position allows for home-based work within the DFW Metroplex, providing flexibility while contributing to the AHA's mission. The advisor will cultivate relationships with the AHA’s Professional Advisor Network, which includes estate planning attorneys and financial planners, to enhance donor engagement and support planned giving initiatives. This role requires a proactive approach to building strategic relationships and ensuring that the AHA's charitable estate gift planning programs are effectively coordinated with other organizational efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Charitable Estate Planning Advisor will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Developing and implementing a strategic action plan to identify and build high-engagement relationships with professional advisors within a defined geographic territory (WY, CO, NM, OK, TX, AR).
• Leveraging marketing and communication resources to generate quality interactions with professionals and their clients through various channels such as events, direct mail, newsletters, and social media.
• Providing consultation for technical solicitations and creating formal proposals involving estate planning advisors.
• Cultivating and stewarding donor relationships through personal visits, calls, written correspondence, and presentations.
• Generating new leads and following up on requests for charitable estate planning information.
• Supplying charitable estate planning illustrations and reviewing estate plans with prospective donors to secure gift commitments.
• Acting as a subject matter expert on charitable estate giving opportunities and increasing awareness among volunteers and staff.
• Documenting plans, progress, and results in the Association’s Salesforce CRM system accurately and timely.
• Traveling approximately 25%-30% of the time for donor visits and presentations, with local travel weekly within the DFW Metroplex and overnight travel once a month within the designated territory.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Senior Charitable Estate Planning Advisor position must possess superb interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential, as the advisor will need to effectively convey the AHA's priorities to professional advisors, donors, and prospects. The ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and track details in a fast-paced environment is crucial. Candidates should also demonstrate proficiency in developing materials for advisor and donor presentations, as well as public-facing documents. A Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience is required, along with at least five years of experience in Charitable Estate Planning or related fundraising. Candidates should have a proven record of engaging with professional estate planning and wealth advisors, as well as successful experience in relationship building and stewardship.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's Degree is required for this position, with a preference for candidates holding an advanced degree (master’s or higher) or aligned certifications such as JD, CFP, CAP, or CFA. The educational background should be relevant to the responsibilities of the role, particularly in areas related to charitable estate planning and fundraising.

Experience:
The ideal candidate will have at least five years of experience in Charitable Estate Planning or a related fundraising field. A demonstrated track record of strategic leadership and management capabilities in a comprehensive development environment is essential. Candidates should also have experience in engaging with professional estate planning and wealth advisors, as well as a proven ability to complete gift agreements through personal interviews and effective solicitation calls.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for effective communication with donors and professional advisors. Additional language skills may be considered beneficial, especially in diverse communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and allows for a hybrid work model, with the possibility of home-based work within the DFW Metroplex. The American Heart Association offers a competitive compensation package, including a base salary that is regularly reviewed for market competitiveness, performance recognition programs, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans. Employees are also provided with professional development opportunities, including access to the HeartU online university and tuition assistance for further education. The AHA promotes work-life harmonization with a minimum of 16 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year, increasing with seniority, and 12 paid holidays annually. The role may require evening and weekend work as necessary, and candidates should be prepared for local and overnight travel within the designated territory.