Assistant Director, Estate and Gift Planning

This individual is part of the Estate and Gift Planning (EGP) team, which is responsible for advancing ASU Foundation’s relationships with benefactors to facilitate significant future giving and/or gifts of non-cash assets. In partnership with EGP leadership, the Assistant Director will lead the conceptualization, design, and execution of a high-impact planned gift marketing and outreach program. Through a coordinated and strategic approach, this role ensures consistent, mission-aligned engagement across key donor audiences. They will support achieving ASUF’s goals of identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing outright, blended, and planned gifts. The Assistant Director will serve as a resource and collaborate with colleagues across the ASU Foundation and ASU Enterprise Partners (EP).  This individual will oversee essential data management, data collection, and analysis, applying critical thinking to drive process improvements and enhance operational efficiency. This position reports directly to the Executive Director of Estate and Gift Planning.

What you’ll do

• Lead the strategy, design and execution of a high-impact planned gift marketing and outreach program to drive continued growth in philanthropy.

• Prospect lead generation for front line EGP and Unit development staff.

• Coordinate with internal resources to accelerate the comprehensive EGP program.

• Oversee essential data management, data collection, and analysis.

• Supports development and maintenance of dashboards, reports, prospect lists, and other data tools that equip frontline fundraisers with actionable insights into EGP, ensuring consistent access to accurate information.

• Drive process improvements, enhance operational efficiency, and leverage the usage of AI.

• Manage, strategically evolve, and grow participation of ASUF Gift Planning Advisory Council (GPAC), a group of volunteer professionals who work to advance ASU philanthropy through estate and planned gifts. 

• First line communication triage with prospects and donors related to EGP inquiries.

• Advance relationships between prospects and internal staff across the enterprise through individual and mass communication.

• Collaborate with colleagues across the enterprise to standardize and institutionalize EGP outreach as a powerful tool to help advance philanthropy.

• Partners with Donor Relations and Engagement to enhance the Cornerstone Legacy Society, including communication strategies and operational processes.

• Serves as a strategic partner to the Annual Giving and Donor Relations teams, driving initiatives that deepen donor relationships, foster meaningful engagement, and inspire additional philanthropic commitment.

• Effectively utilizes AI, databases, software, and related technology to support systems and strategies that enhance execution and success of the EGP program.

• Leads and participates in meetings, develops agendas, and monitors progress to ensure project alignment with leadership objectives, and performs related administrative tasks to support successful outcomes.

• Collaborates with ASU EP Outreach Hub and external vendors on communication and marketing assets.

• Other duties as assigned.

What you'll need

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with ASU/ASUF leadership, donors, and volunteers, projecting a positive image of the University through personal interactions.

• Collaborative, customer service-driven style, combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment, with a passion for working with people and being hospitable.

• High attention to detail, accuracy, and thoroughness in completing assigned duties.

• Project management experience is essential, along with strong analytical, strategic-thinking, adaptability, communication, and relationship-building skills.

• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.

• Well-organized and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.

• Understand and demonstrate an extremely high level of sensitivity to customer relations, embrace a donor-centric philosophy, etiquette protocol, and drive to deliver the best possible donor experience.

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of donor database, contact management and tracking systems: Salesforce, Workday, other donor database system(s), Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint), and other donor relations-related technology tools.

• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Foundation and University business and confidential constituent information.

• Maintain a professional demeanor at all times.

• Strong and collegial interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person, writing, and by phone.

• Ability to exercise good judgment, to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others.

• Ability to compose content accurately; possesses strong business-style writing, proofreading and editing skills.

• Strong problem-solving skills combined with the ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare clear, accurate, and timely reports and documents to support development objectives.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Ability to represent the institution well.

• An advocate’s belief in the vision of ASU as the New American University.

• Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects.

• This position may require some early mornings and evenings to accommodate completing projects.

• Knowledge of standard office policies and procedures.

Relevant qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field

• Three (3) years’ of non-profit, project management, administrative experience, fundraising, and/or advancement.

• Or any equivalent combination of project management and/or administrative experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred education and experience

• Experience with writing, project management, administrative, non-profit development, customer service, and data management.

• Experience using Salesforce; donor database, contact management, and reporting and tracking systems.

• Experience using ThankView and Survey Monkey; marketing and communications-related technology tools.

Preferred skills and abilities

• Skilled with the use of mainstream AI platforms (including but not limited to): Copilot, Chat GPT, and Gemini.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution

• 22 days of vacation time

• 11 holidays, including your birthday

• Parental leave

• Significant tuition reductions

• Professional development is highly valued at ASU Foundation, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest

• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement

About ASU Foundation

The ASU Foundation fosters partnerships between ASU and like-minded individuals, corporations and foundations who believe in ASU’s mission and provide resources for ASU to manifest its charter into meaningful impact. These partnerships empower ASU to advance student access, serve our community, protect the planet, create equity in higher education and conduct research for the public good.

At the ASU Foundation we value

Character
We prioritize character and integrity in every decision and action, establishing trust as the foundation of all that we do.
 

Service
We are dedicated to serving our students, donors, communities, and colleagues by fostering support and collaboration to ensure that our efforts are impactful.
 

Innovation
Innovation drives us to create meaningful opportunities and solutions, helping every member of our global community achieve meaningful outcomes.

The ASU Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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