Gift Planning Officer

Jan 6

Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA

Anticipated Start Date: 03/01/2026

Description

Mount Holyoke College (MHC), a private liberal arts women’s college that is gender diverse, seeks a curious, creative, and diplomatic fundraiser to join the MHC Development team as Gift Planning Officer (GPO) during a time of renewal, vigor, and bold action as the College continues its legacy as a trailblazer in women’s education and a powerhouse of changemakers and visionaries. The GPO will be an integral member of the Development team in securing blended and deferred philanthropic support across the U.S. in support of the MHC Forward Strategic Plan, calling upon the support of a fiercely loyal and connected alum community representative of the fearless leaders and boundless learners who attend and work at Mount Holyoke.

As the oldest member of the historic Seven Sisters colleges, Mount Holyoke’s history as an educational institution forged in dissent is central to its vision for the future. Rooted in a nearly 200-year history of challenging exclusion and advancing gender equity, the College remains unwavering in its support for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility—even as these values face threats. MHC has been a trailblazer in inclusive admissions policies, becoming the first of the Seven Sisters to welcome trans and nonbinary students. With a proud legacy of global renown, the College fiercely advocates for its international student community, which represents 20 percent of students. Nationally recognized for its high level of undergraduate research, Mount Holyoke continues to invest in scholarly research and discovery.

Historically, Mount Holyoke has been a premier producer of women who earn doctorates in STEM. According to 2024 data from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), Mount Holyoke ranks #1 among baccalaureate colleges for women alums earning PhDs in the life sciences (1972–2022) and is virtually tied for the top spot in any STEM field. The College earned the prestigious Carnegie Classification as a baccalaureate college with “Arts & Sciences Focus and High Research.” Under President Danielle Holley’s leadership, the Mount Holyoke community is alive with ambition and purpose to support the MHC Forward Strategic Plan, which lays out a bold vision to ensure Mount Holyoke’s enduring excellence and transformative impact. MHC Forward sets the foundation for the College’s next comprehensive campaign, launching in the fall of 2026.

Mount Holyoke’s culture of principled boldness and forward-thinking momentum offers an inspiring context for the GPO to contribute to a mission deeply rooted in societal impact at a time when women’s colleges are more important than ever. The GPO reports to the Director of Gift Planning and plays a central role in advancing the College’s strategic priorities as a key frontline fundraiser responsible for managing a portfolio of MHC alums, partners, and friends. In partnership with senior leaders and internal partners, the GPO will utilize data and research to identify and qualify prospects, develop creative and meaningful cultivation plans, and formulate effective solicitation strategies. The GPO will be an engaging and visible ambassador of the College and collaborate across the College Relations division to ensure a coordinated and personalized donor experience.

The GPO will be a key contributor in the College’s efforts to maintain the prominent role of planned gifts in achieving annual fundraising goals. The ideal candidate will be a values-driven, goal-oriented professional with four to five years of experience building and nurturing strong relationships to secure resources within a complex organization. The GPO must have a strong understanding of development, technical acumen, knowledge of higher education, and the ability to build trust and collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

The successful candidate must have exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills and a collegial, team-building style with a demonstrated ability to cultivate productive, collaborative relationships. The GPO will bring curiosity, sound judgment, and a collegial spirit to a high-performing and mission-driven team. In accordance with its core values and mission, MHC is especially interested in recruiting members of diverse communities and individuals who will promote and uphold the values embodied within the College’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement.

Responsibilities

The Gift Planning Officer (GPO) is a frontline fundraiser and vital member of Mount Holyoke College’s Development Team. This individual manages a portfolio of approximately 120 alums, families, and friends, cultivating relationships that lead to impactful philanthropic commitments, including six- and seven-figure life income gifts, estate gifts, and complex outright gifts. Reporting to the Director of Gift Planning, the GPO contributes to the success of the College’s upcoming comprehensive campaign by advancing strategic gift planning efforts and collaborating with internal and external partners. The GPO partners across the Development team to develop customized gift strategies and provides expertise on planned giving vehicles. Success in this role requires empathy, curiosity, technical acumen, and a commitment to inclusive donor engagement.

Essential Duties

Manage a portfolio of approximately 120 Mount Holyoke College gift planning prospects and donors, guiding individuals through the full donor cycle: identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Conduct 100+ substantive donor interactions annually, including 25+ gift solicitations, with 35 – 50% domestic travel required.
Build meaningful relationships with alums, surviving spouses, and other supporters, leading to impactful philanthropic commitments.
Collaborate with colleagues across Annual Fund, Discovery, Leadership Giving, Principal Gifts, and Donor Relations to develop and implement integrated donor strategies.
Provide technical expertise and consultative support on planned giving vehicles to donors and internal partners.
Prepare and present customized proposals and gift illustrations for charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, and complex outright gifts using tools from PG Calc and TIAA Kaspick. Review and coordinate contracts for gift annuities and trusts in collaboration with College counsel, as needed.
Conduct in-depth conversations regarding complex gift planning opportunities, including gifts of real estate and closely held stock, in partnership with the Director of Gift Planning.
Oversee the planning and execution of regional Mary Lyon Society stewardship and cultivation events.
Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions and proposals in the College’s Salesforce-based fundraising CRM.
Serve as backup to the Director of Gift Planning in collaborating with the Finance Office to track and monitor estate gifts through the settlement process.
Secure planned gifts aligned with departmental and campaign fundraising goals.
Contribute to a team culture centered on collaboration, transparency, and data-informed decision-making.
Participate in ongoing professional development in charitable planning, fundraising ethics, and equitable philanthropy practices.
Actively support Mount Holyoke College’s commitment to creating a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will bring many of the following professional qualities and experiences:

A Bachelor’s degree is required.
Four to five years of professional experience in fundraising, financial planning, law, or a related field.
Gift planning experience and familiarity with charitable planning tools, tax and inheritance law, and complex gift instruments is preferred.
Proven success closing five-figure or larger gifts, or comparable high-stakes client engagements.
Knowledge of fundraising best practices and campaign planning stages.
Experience using fundraising CRMs and proposal software, such as Salesforce, PG Calc, TIAA Kaspick tools.
Demonstrated ability to explain complex financial or legal concepts in a donor-friendly way.
Ability to travel 35 – 50% of the time to different areas of the U.S. with occasional evening/weekend hours.
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, along with written and verbal communication.
High level of discretion and integrity in managing confidential information.
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful engagement with a diverse donor base.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

$97,717 – $116,283

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