Senior Director of Gift Planning

Job Description

About the Role
The Senior Director of Gift Planning is a key relationship-builder and mission ambassador for The Catholic Foundation of Northern Colorado (the Foundation), charged with growing the legacy of the Catholic Church throughout the Archdiocese. In this role, you will lead a personal portfolio of high-potential planned giving prospects, walk alongside parishioners and professional advisors as they design meaningful gifts and represent the Foundation across parishes, events, and donor communities.

You will also mentor colleagues, champion best practices in gift planning, and help shape the strategic direction and impact of the Gift Planning team.

What You'll Do
Includes the following; other duties may be assigned to meet business needs:

Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward parishioners and other constituents to secure planned gifts that support the Catholic Church and its ministries.

Manage an active portfolio of planned giving prospects, prioritizing outreach, follow-up, and relationship management.

Build and maintain strategic relationships with professional advisors, pastors, parish business managers, and development leaders across the Archdiocese and Catholic ministries.

Educate and introduce parishioners and donors to donor-advised funds and other planned giving vehicles offered through the Foundation.

Represent the Foundation at presentations, liturgical and parish gatherings, special events, private dinners, major fundraisers, and donor recognition events.

Prepare clear and compelling written materials, including correspondence, case statements, planned gift proposals, and donor acknowledgements.

Maintain accurate and timely donor and prospect information, and produce regular reports and analyses on planned giving activity, pipeline, and outcomes.

What You'll Bring
Strong knowledge of planned giving concepts and vehicles (e.g., bequests, charitable trusts, beneficiary designations, donor-advised funds) and their technical, legal, and financial requirements.

Demonstrated fundraising and donor stewardship skills, including prospect qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and long-term relationship management.

Ability to mentor colleagues, lead projects, and influence stakeholders across a growing department.

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and rapport across diverse constituencies, including parishioners, clergy, staff, professional advisors, and board members.

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., business, communications, nonprofit management, theology, or related discipline) required.

Demonstrated experience in fundraising, development, or donor stewardship required, preferably with responsibility for revenue generation or relationship-based sales.

Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex giving options clearly and pastorally.

High level of customer service orientation, discretion, and professionalism, with the ability to uphold the highest ethical standards.

Self-starter with high energy, sound judgment, and a hands-on, collaborative approach to work.

Comfort using donor databases and CRM systems to manage portfolios and generate reports.

Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to multiple relationships, events, and projects simultaneously.

Articulate in the Catholic faith, with the ability to integrate faith-based messaging appropriately into donor conversations and materials.

What'll Make You Stand Out
Five or more years of progressive experience in fundraising, major gifts, planned giving, or related development work, with demonstrated success securing significant gifts and building long-term donor relationships preferred.

Law degree and/or legal experience, and/or experience working with trusts, estates, or financial planning, is a plus.

Experience within Catholic or other faith-based nonprofit organizations preferred, and familiarity with the structures and culture of the Catholic Church is a plus.

Practicing Catholic preferred for this role to support and reflect the Foundation's Catholic mission and values, consistent with applicable legal exemptions.

Compensation
The salary range for this exempt position is $100,000 to $125,000. The position may also be eligible for additional discretionary incentive compensation based on individual performance and experience.

Compensation will be determined based on factors including education, experience, skills, and alignment with the requirements of the role.

Benefits
The Foundation offers a competitive benefits package that may include:
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents.

403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution, fully vested from day one.

Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage.

Employer-paid life insurance for employees, spouses, and dependent children.

Free parking.

Generous paid time off.

13 paid holidays.

Limited remote work flexibility, based on organizational needs.

About the Employer

Our mission at The Catholic Foundation is to inspire and facilitate charitable giving for the long-term benefit of our donors and the Church. Helping donors be generous provides an avenue to invest in the Kingdom of God that promotes the Gospel, transforms lives, and glorifies God.