Description
About TCNJ:
Founded in 1855, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) is a highly selective, nationally recognized public institution known for its personalized, collaborative, and rigorous liberal arts education. With 7,400 undergraduates and 700 graduate students, TCNJ consistently ranks among the top public colleges in the nation and maintains the #1 four-year graduation rate in New Jersey and #9 among U.S. public institutions. The College offers an immersive living-learning experience, small classes (13:1 student-faculty ratio), and a strong sense of community for students, faculty, and staff.
Position Overview:
The College of New Jersey is entering an exciting new era under the leadership of President Michael Bernstein and Vice President for College Advancement, David Muha. With the upcoming public launch of the Elevating Excellence campaign—an ambitious $76M initiative supporting scholarships, academic enrichment, student experience, and capital priorities—TCNJ seeks an accomplished Senior Director of Gift Planning to lead its growing planned giving program.
Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and Campaign Manager, the Senior Director will serve as a key member of the Office of Development’s leadership team. This individual will advance a comprehensive gift planning strategy that blends direct fundraising with expert consultation to strengthen deferred and blended giving. The Senior Director will also play a pivotal role in campaign planning and donor engagement, cultivating meaningful relationships with alumni, friends, and advisors to secure transformational support.
To Apply:
DHR Global is honored to partner with TCNJ on this important search. For questions, contact Diane Charness, Managing Partner (dcharness@dhrglobal.com), or Tedric Palmer, Senior Associate (tpalmer@dhrglobal.com).
To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume via the link in the application.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop, market, and manage a comprehensive planned giving program that educates donors and advisors on deferred and blended giving opportunities.
- Partner with development colleagues to integrate gift planning strategies into major and principal gift work.
- Manage a portfolio of major and planned giving prospects, meeting defined annual and campaign fundraising goals.
- Provide training and guidance to gift officers, administrators, and academic leaders to strengthen planned giving pipelines.
- Oversee marketing, stewardship, and recognition efforts for planned giving, including the Heritage Society.
- Collaborate across Advancement to align planned giving with campaign priorities and donor communications.
Candidate Profile:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of 8 years of progressive fundraising and/or estate planning experience, including success securing six- and seven-figure planned or blended gifts.
- Strong understanding of charitable gift planning vehicles, legal and financial considerations, and donor cultivation best practices.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and inspire philanthropy across diverse constituencies.
- Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and commitment to public higher education.
