Jobs

Director of Planned Giving

Kents Hill School is one of the oldest co-ed boarding schools in the country and will celebrate its bicentennial in 2024. Located on 400 beautiful acres in Maine, we bring boarding and day students together from across the world to engage in self-discovery and growth, both in and out of the classroom. Diversity, equity, and belonging are integral to our community as we actively strive to be an anti-racist school through consistent and ongoing learning for all. Our caring and deeply engaged faculty members truly know each student, and because of that are able to create transformational experiences and be in their corner, all the time. The academic curriculum ensures that students are prepared for anything by merging four dimensions of learning (knowledge, skills, character, and reflection) to balance academic rigor with strong support. Students also have the opportunity to explore their passions in athletics and the arts and develop leadership potential with more than 30 different clubs and activities. To learn more, visit www.kentshill.org.

Position Overview 

The Director will provide leadership for the School’s Planned Giving Program and be responsible for the program’s management, vision, goals, coordination, and results.

This is an exciting opportunity for an engaging leader to establish a fully-functional Planned Giving Program at Kents Hill School and provide essential funding through estate-related and planned gifts, including bequests, qualified retirement plan designations, life-income gifts, gifts of real estate and other special assets, gifts of business interests, and other gifts of appreciated assets. This position requires extensive travel, regionally and nationally, and reports to the Chief Advancement Officer. Kents Hill School offers a hybrid schedule, a flexible work model that combines remote and on-campus work. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities

• Formalizes and manages the Kents Hill School’s planned giving recognition and stewardship program, developing the materials and events needed for effective execution.
• Develops marketing initiatives to raise the visibility of the program and secure planned gift commitments that will help fulfill the school’s long‐term financial goals.
• Designs the planned giving component of the capital campaign.
• Provides training and counsel to colleagues and volunteers as needed to ensure understanding of planned giving within the context of a comprehensive campaign.
• Works closely with the Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Kents Hill Fund to educate the 50th Reunion Committee and 50th Reunion Class on the value of legacy gifts.
• Collaborates with the Chief Advancement Officer and Major Gifts Officer to analyze and review prospective donors and to determine appropriate strategies within a campaign context.
• Meets regularly with qualified planned giving and campaign prospects, with a goal of 120 face-to-face visits per year.
• Oversees program development and membership growth in The 1824 Legacy Society.
• Provides gift illustrations, proposals, and gift valuations as needed using PGCalc or similar software.
• Sources and utilizes outside counsel, if necessary, to close more complex planned gifts.
• Documents and tracks all planned giving conversations and commitments.
• Actively participates in Advancement events and activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Minimum five years of fundraising experience, preferably at an independent school, college, or university, or equivalent related/relevant professional experience. Prior experience with a capital campaign is a plus.
• Strong communications and interpersonal skills.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Proven ability and drive to achieve fundraising goals.
• Experience managing events and programs. 
• Knowledge of fundraising software, preferably Raiser’s Edge.
• Demonstrated expertise in marketing and closing planned gifts.
• Knowledge of PG Calc or other planned giving software is a plus.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of constituencies.
• Collaborative and collegial work style.
• High degree of integrity, initiative, and resilience. 
• Excellent time management skills, and ability to handle multiple projects with high attention to organization and detail.
• Computer literacy and excellent writing skills.
• Frequent travel is required, along with some evening and weekend work.

How to Apply: Please send a letter of interest and resume to HR@kentshill.org.

Kents Hill School is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.