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Careers at Drexel

About Drexel University

Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a world‐class, comprehensive, R1 research institution and a global leader in experiential education. For more than 100 years, our renowned Cooperative Education (co-op) program has enabled students to gain professional work experience before they graduate, setting them apart from their peers.

Committed to becoming the nation’s most civically engaged university, Drexel supports engagement along three dimensions: research and academic programs that directly benefit communities, business practices that support equitable local and regional economic development, and public service by students, faculty, and staff. Our engagement is long‐term, multigenerational, and fundamental to the University’s mission, heritage, and future.

At Drexel, we are devoted to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment that promotes healthy lifestyles and is based on integrity, trust, and respect. We center equity, inclusion and belonging, and incorporate an anti‐racism approach to our strategic plan, organizational systems, policies and structures.

Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world‐class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles. Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award‐winning A Healthier U wellness program. In addition, faculty and professional staff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non‐certification programs. And as part of the tuition offering to employees, Drexel participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions. These are just a sample of our extensive benefit offerings. Please see this Benefits Brochure for more information.

Suspension of Drexel University's Contribution into 403(b) Retirement Plan

As communicated on Oct. 10, Drexel University is suspending its contributions to employee retirement plans for calendar year 2025 as part of its multi-year plan to build financial resilience. Drexel is continuing to monitor the situation and will share updates as they become available for calendar year 2026.

Director of Development, Gift Planning

Apply now Job no: 504904
Work type: Full-Time
Location: Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangement
Categories: Drexel University, Institutional Advancement

Job Summary

The Director of Development for Gift Planning provides significant and essential support for the growth of the University’s deferred gifts program and will serve as a mentor and resource to front line fundraisers in cultivating and securing planned gifts. The Director of Development directly manages a dynamic portfolio of prospects and donors, and is centrally involved in activities related to promotion of and stewardship for the Drexel Legacy Society.

This is a hybrid position, expected to go into the office weekly. Candidates must live in the greater Philadelphia area.

Essential Functions

  • Develop strategies to qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors in order to secure charitable gifts, including life income gifts, bequests, and major outright gifts.
  • Manage an active portfolio of up to 150 planned giving prospects/donors and engage directly in planned giving gift identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individuals across the US, with specific emphasis on building/maintaining relationships with planned giving prospects/donors located on the West Coast.
  • Conduct at least 90 face-to-face visits with donors/prospects per fiscal year.
  • Support the efforts of gift officers across Institutional Advancement by providing as-needed consultation on gift planning and stewardship strategies for individual donors and prospects.
  • Collaborate with the Gift Planning team on development/implementation of stewardship efforts, targeted events and other engagement activities for members of the Drexel Legacy Society (recognition group for donors with documented planned gifts).
  • Attend University fundraising events as appropriate; this may include some evenings and weekends.
  • Maintain current knowledge of University-wide institutional priorities and promote University campus goals and college/school-specific objectives to constituents. 
  • Keep abreast of current tax laws and planned giving trends.
  • Adhere to Institutional Advancement procedures as documented in the University’s Gift Acceptance policy.
  • Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Required Qualifications

  • Minimum of Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. 
  • Minimum of 7 years of related experience
  • Experience in estate planning, deferred gifts and relationship management.
  • Detailed and in-depth knowledge of planned giving and its complexity, including wills, trusts, life income gifts and related tax laws/regulations.
  • Comprehensive understanding of planned gift vehicles, and the ability to present them to donors and prospects in a simple and thorough manner.
  • Ability to be highly motivated individual committed to personal outreach, gift solicitation and achieving specific goals for substantive visits with donors and prospects.
  • Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends
  • Ability to travel domestically several times a year.
  • Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
  • Valid Driver's License.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in development and/or marketing or sales of financial instruments.
  • Law degree or Estate/Gift Planning certification.
  • Experience with prospect management systems.

Location

  • Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangement

Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade N. Compensation for this grade ranges from $90,430 - $135,640 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel’s compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

Advertised: Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Eastern Daylight Time

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Drexel University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that welcomes individuals from diverse and neurodiverse backgrounds and perspectives, and believes that an inclusive and respectful environment enriches the University community and the educational and employment experience of its members. The University prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, status as a veteran or special disabled veteran, gender identity or expression, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and any other prohibited characteristic. Please visit our Policies page to view all University policies related to Human Resources and News and Announcements for workplace postings.

Background investigations are required for all new hires as a condition of employment, after the job offer is made.

Drexel University, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) publishes the Drexel University Security & Fire Safety Annual Report for current and prospective students and employees. This report contains important safety information and crime statistics for the previous three years. These statistics pertain to reported crimes that have occurred on campus, in certain non-campus buildings or properties that are owned or controlled by Drexel University, and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus.

Printed copies of this report are also available by calling the Public Safety Administrative Office, 215.895.1550.

Additional information about the services provided by the Drexel University Department of Public Safety can be obtained by visiting their website.

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