Job descriptions

As you begin to incorporate planned giving into your team’s activities, it may be useful to add language to certain team members’ job descriptions. At some point, you might hire a dedicated planned giving position. In most cases, though, planned giving responsibilities can be wrapped into existing roles without adding a lot of workload or distracting team members from their current roles.

Below is a position description for a dedicated planned giving position. Note, however, that the most useful elements of this material are the phrases in bold and italics; these are the elements that can be added to existing team members’ position descriptions as they take on specific planned giving activities.

Planned Giving Manager

Position Summary

The Planned Giving Manager is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that encourage donors to include [ABC Charity] in their long-term philanthropic and estate plans. This role focuses on building meaningful relationships with donors, educating supporters about complex and legacy giving opportunities, and growing the organization’s planned giving program.

Working closely with the Development team, the Planned Giving Manager will identify, cultivate, and steward donors who may wish to support [ABC Charity] through bequests, beneficiary designations, life-income gifts, and other planned giving vehicles.

This position plays a key role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of [ABC Charity]’s mission by helping donors create a lasting philanthropic legacy.

Key Responsibilities

Planned Giving Program Development

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive planned giving strategy aligned with the organization’s fundraising goals.

  • Build awareness of planned giving opportunities among donors, volunteers, and board members by layering planned giving messages and content into existing marketing and donor engagement strategies.

  • Alongside cultivating major and annual gifts, talk with donors about planned giving.

  • Grow and steward the organization’s Legacy Society or similar recognition program.

Donor Cultivation and Stewardship

  • Manage a portfolio of planned giving prospects and donors.

  • Conduct donor meetings and meaningful conversations to explore legacy giving opportunities.

  • Steward donors who have documented planned gifts.

  • Collaborate with major gift officers to integrate planned giving into major gift conversations.

Marketing and Communications

  • Work with the marketing team to develop planned giving messaging for:

    • Website

    • Newsletters

    • Social media

    • Donor communications

    • Annual appeals

  • Promote awareness of legacy giving opportunities through stories, events, and donor recognition.

Collaboration and Education

  • Partner with Development staff to incorporate planned giving into donor conversations.

  • Provide training and resources to board members and staff about planned giving.

  • Serve as a resource for donors and advisors regarding gift options.

Data Management and Reporting

  • Alongside overall donor stewardship tracking, track planned giving prospects, commitments, and donor interactions in the CRM.

  • Maintain documentation of planned gift intentions.

  • Monitor progress toward planned giving goals and report results to leadership.

Qualifications

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

  • 3–5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, donor relations, financial planning, or related field.

  • Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with donors and stakeholders.

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

  • Ability to explain complex gift planning concepts in clear, donor-friendly language.

Preferred

  • Experience with planned giving or major gifts fundraising.

  • Knowledge of estate planning vehicles such as:

    • bequests

    • beneficiary designations

    • charitable trusts

    • life-income gifts

  • Familiarity with nonprofit CRM systems.

Core Competencies

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

  • Relationship building and donor stewardship

  • Strategic thinking and program development

  • Discretion and professionalism when discussing financial matters

  • Strong organizational and project management skills

  • Passion for the mission of [ABC Charity]

Key Performance Indicators

Performance will be measured through:

  • Number of meaningful donor conversations

  • Planned gift commitments documented

  • Growth in Legacy Society membership

  • Donor stewardship engagement

  • Contribution to long-term fundraising sustainability

Compensation and Benefits

[ABC Charity] offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience.

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