Are you interested in working for a mission-driven organization that continues to grow and is dedicated to providing quality services to its residents? Do you want your next job to offer you the opportunity to serve while allowing you to grow personally and professionally?  Explore careers with Charles E. Smith Life Communities!

ABOUT CHARLES E. SMITH LIFE COMMUNITIES
Charles E. Smith Life Communities (CESLC) is a faith-based nonprofit senior services organization located in Rockville, Maryland, delivering quality care and meaningful life experiences to older adults with dignity and compassion rooted in Jewish values.  Our team of over 1,000 members represent a very wide range of cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, and faiths.

OUR DIRECTOR, MAJOR & PLANNED GIFTS

The Director of Major and Planned Giving is a senior front-line fundraiser responsible for managing and growing a dynamic portfolio of 100–125 individual, corporate and foundation prospects with the capacity to make significant philanthropic investments in Charles E. Smith Life Communities (CESLC). This position focuses on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts of $10,000 and above, including major and planned gifts, in support of CESLC’s mission and strategic priorities.

The Director will lead the advancement of CESLC’s planned giving program and serve as the primary relationship manager for legacy donors, providing expertise in structuring complex gifts, stewarding estate distributions, and promoting giving opportunities through professional advisor networks. In addition to direct fundraising responsibilities, the Director supports the Vice President of Resource Development on portfolio strategy, gift planning policies and special fundraising initiatives.

The ideal candidate is a driven and organized development professional with a successful track record in major and planned gift fundraising, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and a donor-centered approach to relationship-building.
The Director of Major and Planned Giving is supervised by the Vice President of Resource Development and works closely with senior management and system-wide managers and directors as needed.

The Director of Major and Planned Giving has the authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to conduct assigned duties. The Director of Major and Planned Gifts has budgetary authority and responsibility for assigned budget projects and has the responsibility to manage projects in other CESLC budgets appropriately.

Essential job responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of 100 to 125 major and planned giving prospects and donors
• Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies for major and planned gifts, aligning with the CESLC's overall fundraising goals.
• Build relationships with donors, understanding their philanthropic interests, and tailoring engagement strategies to inspire giving.
• Craft and deliver compelling proposals, gift agreements and other donor communications to secure major and planned gifts.
• Provide ongoing support and recognition to donors, ensuring they feel valued and connected to the CESLC's mission.
• Oversee CESLC's planned giving program, including marketing, donor education, and gift acceptance processes.
• With support from the Senior Director of Community Engagement, Create and execute a signature Estate Planning Symposium each fall to engage donors and advisors.
• Collaborate closely with other CESLC associates, leadership, lay leaders and volunteers to achieve fundraising goals.
• Maintain accurate donor records, tracking fundraising progress and reporting on key metrics.
• Understand financial concepts related to planned giving vehicles (e.g., trusts, annuities) and tax implications.
• Serve as a public ambassador and speaker on giving opportunities when appropriate

LOCATION
This position is based in the Development Department in the Dekelboum Building, located at 6101 Montrose Road in Rockville, Maryland.  

SHIFTS & STATUS
This is a Full Time, Exempt position

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in development with emphasis on the cultivation of individual donor relationships.
• Demonstrated experience securing major gifts of $10,000 or more for unrestricted and restricted purposes.
• Demonstrated experience cultivating, soliciting, and closing planned gifts.
• Exceptional demonstrated written and oral communication skills in the English language.
• Excellent customer service orientation and diligence.
• Temperament suitable to working in what can be a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
• Exceptional recognition of ethical and legal requirements of confidentiality in handling of sensitive information and situations.
• Fluency in MS Office products: MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, MS Outlook.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.