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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage estate gifts and life income programs while ensuring compliance and effective communication.
- Company: Join Tufts University Advancement, a vibrant team dedicated to philanthropy and community engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, a supportive work culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact by helping donors achieve their philanthropic goals in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 5-7 years in gift planning or related fields; strong communication and organisational skills required.
- Other info: Lead a team and engage with diverse stakeholders while managing complex financial processes.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
Tufts University Advancement seeks a dynamic, experienced professional to serve as Associate Director of Trusts and Estates. Tufts University Advancement Division (UA) is a comprehensive development and alumni engagement enterprise with a staff complement of approximately 200 full-time employees. UA's mission is to build strong relationships with Tufts University's constituents, match donor interests with the University's needs and priorities, and secure the financial resources necessary for Tufts to achieve excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship.
The Gift Planning Team is responsible for helping donors maximize their gifts to Tufts and reach their philanthropic goals through financial, estate, and tax planning. The team works with donors and their advisors to integrate their charitable interests into their estate plans and establish gifts that provide income in return.
What You'll Do
We are seeking a motivated and results-driven individual with experience in estate and life income gift administration, excellent written and oral communications skills, a customer-service orientation, strong organizational skills, and the ability to cultivate collegial and productive relationships with advisors, donors, gift officers, and internal partners across the university. Reporting to the Senior Director, Gift Planning, the Associate Director of Trusts and Estates is responsible for managing all gifts from estates intended for Tufts University. This position ensures the full, timely, and accurate receipt of all estates, trusts, retirement, and life insurance beneficiary designations, and other estate gifts that are in the process of being distributed to Tufts.
This individual serves as the point of contact for the University for all executors, trustees, and other fiduciaries of estates with a gift provision for Tufts. The Associate Director confers with and makes recommendations to UA colleagues, University Counsel, and Finance, as needed, to determine the proper allocation of funds from estates. In addition, they oversee the administration of a life income gift program comprised of more than 400 individual planned gifts invested by Tufts, working closely with an outside service provider.
This position manages the complex process of setting up all new life income gifts and additions to existing gifts that are managed by Tufts once the funding has been received at the University, through to their termination. This involves drafting gift annuity contracts, preparing gift and tax calculations for the donors as well as acknowledgement letters, and recording the gifts at Tufts. The Associate Director handles inquiries from beneficiaries related to the management of their gift annuity or trust. They also ensure that Tufts is in compliance with all relevant state regulations regarding the right to issue charitable gift annuities. This position manages the Assistant Director of Trusts and Estates, who assists with the estate and life income gift program administration.
The Associate Director will oversee the Assistant Director in the creation and maintenance of regular reports detailing estate administration, life income gift activity, and gift planning achievement.
What We're Looking For
Basic Requirements
- 5-7 years of related professional experience in one or more of the following areas: gift planning, law, estate planning, personal trust, or other financial services.
- Bachelor's degree.
- Experience reviewing and/or drafting complex financial and legal documents and an understanding of financial and estate planning vehicles.
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills and ability to explain technical information in layperson's terminology.
- Goal-oriented and adept at prioritising and managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment; excellent organisational skills and attention to detail required.
- Customer service orientation and sensitivity to the confidential nature of financial information is mandatory.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree/law degree preferred.
- Experience managing staff preferred.
Pay Range
Minimum $94,600.00, Midpoint $118,250.00, Maximum $141,900.00. Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.
Associate Director Trusts and Estates employer: Tufts University
Contact Detail:
Tufts University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director Trusts and Estates
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the gift planning and estate administration sectors. Attend relevant conferences or workshops where you can meet individuals who work in similar roles, as they may provide insights or even referrals that could help you land the job.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Tufts University's mission and values, particularly around philanthropy and donor relations. This will not only help you align your approach during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experience that showcase your ability to manage complex financial and legal documents. Highlight instances where you've successfully navigated challenges in estate planning or gift administration.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your customer service skills by preparing to discuss how you've handled sensitive information and built relationships with clients or donors in previous roles. This is crucial for a position that requires trust and confidentiality.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director Trusts and Estates
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in gift planning, estate planning, or financial services. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in managing complex financial and legal documents.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for philanthropy and how your background aligns with the mission of Tufts University Advancement. Mention your customer service orientation and ability to communicate complex information clearly.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent written and oral communication skills are crucial for this role, consider including a brief example in your application that illustrates your ability to explain technical information in layperson's terms.
Highlight Leadership Experience: If you have experience managing staff or leading projects, be sure to include this in your application. Discuss how you have successfully overseen teams or initiatives, as this is a preferred qualification for the position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tufts University
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the responsibilities of the Associate Director of Trusts and Estates. Familiarise yourself with the specifics of gift planning, estate administration, and the types of gifts Tufts University handles. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Given the importance of communication in this role, be prepared to discuss how you've effectively communicated complex financial and legal information in the past. Use examples that highlight your ability to simplify technical jargon for diverse audiences, as this is crucial for working with donors and advisors.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Skills
The job requires excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks. Be ready to share specific examples from your previous roles where you successfully prioritised tasks and maintained attention to detail, especially in a fast-paced environment.
✨Prepare Questions for the Interviewers
Interviews are a two-way street, so prepare thoughtful questions about the Gift Planning Team and the culture at Tufts University Advancement. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you assess if the organisation aligns with your values and career goals.
