Director, Planned Giving

Director, Planned Giving

About the Organization

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), founded in 1869, has a dual mission of scientific research and science education. It is one of the world's preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. The Museum includes more than 40 permanent exhibition halls, galleries for temporary exhibitions, the Rose Center for Earth and Space, the Hayden Planetarium, and the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation. Its scientists use a world‑class permanent collection of over 30 million specimens and objects, some billions of years old, and one of the largest natural history libraries worldwide. Through the Richard Gilder Graduate School, AMNH offers the Ph.D. program in Comparative Biology and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Earth Science residency program.

Position Overview

AMNH seeks a strategic, relationship‑driven Director of Planned Giving to lead and grow a high‑impact program. The Director, reporting to the Vice President, Advancement, will be the senior leader of the Planned Giving team, responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive program that attracts new donors and effectively stewards current supporters. The role includes setting vision, goals, and measurable outcomes, managing a portfolio of prospects, supervising the Manager of Planned Giving, and collaborating with gift officers, Finance, and Legal to strengthen program infrastructure and donor engagement.

Responsibilities

Planned Giving Strategy

• Provide strategic program leadership and direction.
• Lead creation, design, and execution of goals and strategies to retain and grow current donors and expand the donor base, including developing metrics to measure success and ROI.
• Develop a strong working knowledge of Museum programs and funding priorities to articulate a compelling case for support to all constituents.
• Execute a comprehensive marketing strategy, oversee external vendors and consultants, and manage the Museum’s planned giving website.
• Stay current on state and federal regulations, tax trends, and best practices, adjusting strategies and tactics accordingly.

Donor Engagement & Portfolio Management

• Build and manage a personal portfolio of planned giving donors and prospects to deepen engagement and increase deferred giving.
• Oversee the Jesup Legacy Circle, developing programming and touchpoints to recognize, engage, and retain members.
• Design and execute customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that align with fundraising priorities.
• 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 charitable gift annuity program, including proposals, agreements, annual tax reporting, and 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, ensuring professional development and career enhancement while leading the team to exceed revenue and institutional goals.
• Collaborate with frontline fundraisers to develop and implement planned giving solicitation strategies for donors and prospects.
• Nurture relationships with financial, legal, and tax advisors to support personalized stewardship strategies.
• Partner with Advancement leadership, Finance, and Legal to refine frameworks for projecting, counting, and reporting planned gifts.
• Work with colleagues across the Museum to create impactful planned giving cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship resources and promote a culture of philanthropy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of ten years of fundraising experience, including at least four years in planned giving.
• Minimum of four years of management experience, with demonstrated success leading and developing a team.
• Proven track record of meeting ambitious goals and growing scope, scale, and responsibility.
• Strong knowledge of charitable giving trends, especially complex estate planning tools, charitable tax law, estate and probate laws, and personal finance.
• Experience cultivating and stewarding planned gifts, including charitable gift annuities, bequests, and gifts of complex assets.
• Ability to work effectively with institutional leaders, volunteers, Board members, and colleagues, building trust and inspiring confidence.
• Expert written and oral communication skills with the ability to convey AMNH’s mission to a broad audience.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office, internet applications, fundraising databases, and software for planned gift illustrations.
• Affinity for the natural world and the ability to engage donors authentically about the Museum’s research, exhibitions, and science.
• Willingness to travel locally and work occasional evenings and weekends.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary in the range of $150,000–$165,000, determined by a variety of factors including experience, skills, and responsibilities.
• Extensive benefits package including medical, dental, and life insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.