Manager, Gift Planning

Founded in 1961, WWF works to help people and nature thrive. As a global conservation organization, WWF operates in more than 100 countries, partnering with communities, companies, and governments to protect wildlife, conserve vital habitats, and advance sustainable solutions. Grounded in science and driven by collaboration, WWF works to help nature by conserving biodiversity, supporting resilient communities, and addressing climate change. Nearly 1 million people in the United States and more than 5 million globally are WWF members. Major Function Under the direction of the Senior Director of Gift Planning, the Manager, Gift Planning acts as the department's deputy, leading the donor-facing part of the Gift Planning program. This includes guiding follow-up strategies for all donor inquiries and ensuring effective cultivation, qualification, and closing planned gifts. This role supervises Gift Planning Officers (GPOs) in securing bequests, life income arrangements, and other current and deferred gift commitments. The manager also oversees the Gift Planning Development Coordinator to ensure timely entry and management of all marketing leads, accurate data tracking, and smooth execution of administrative operations. In addition to team leadership responsibilities, the manager maintains a personal portfolio of donor inquiries and oversees pipeline management and reporting processes.  Duties and Responsibilities   Strategic Leadership & Pipeline Management   Lead and manage the activities of Gift Planning Officers to ensure prompt follow-up on all new leads and effective progression through cultivation, qualification, and closing stages.  Review, refine, and improve processes and procedures for donor cultivation and gift tracking.  Refine and implement measurable goals for outreach calls and donor contacts as part of comprehensive pipeline management.  Monitor and evaluate team performance based on progress toward established goals and key performance indicators.  Create and implement work processes that increase efficiency and effectiveness through strategic use of tools, data, and analysis.  Manage inquiry pipeline reporting and ensure accurate forecasting of planned gift activity.  Program Development & Strategy   Partner with the Senior Director of Gift Planning to develop and execute annual and long-term gift planning goals.  Focus on increasing the number of documented planned gift intentions.  Ensure meaningful and personalized stewardship of Legacy Circle members within GPO portfolios.  Refine outreach strategies to engage and qualify gift planning prospects.  Team Leadership & Collaboration   Manage, mentor, and motivate Gift Planning Officers to achieve individual and team goals.  Foster strong collaboration with Annual Giving and Regional Philanthropy Officers to support integrated fundraising strategies.  Provide mentoring, coaching, and cross-training opportunities across regional teams to build capacity and strengthen performance.  Portfolio Management & Stewardship   Maintain a balanced personal portfolio of donor inquiries and existing donors.  Provide appropriate stewardship and engagement to donors while fulfilling broader program management responsibilities.  Administrative & Operational Oversight   Supervise the Gift Planning Development Coordinator to ensure:  Timely entry and assignment of all marketing leads.  Effective coverage of phone and email inquiries.  Accurate tracking of GPO travel and expense reporting.  Management of departmental data systems and administrative projects assigned.  Key Competencies Partnership Engagement - Builds and sustains collaborative relationships across teams and stakeholders to align strategies, strengthen donor engagement and commitment, improve department effectiveness, and achieve shared fundraising and organizational goals.  Interpersonal Communications & Collaboration - Communicates effectively with both donors and colleagues, prioritizing creating and developing relationships to further organizational goals. Uses those relationships to collaborate across teams to strengthen relationships, support integrated fundraising strategies, and drive accountability, teamwork, and shared success.  Coaching/Management Performance-- Demonstrates the ability to guide, develop, motivate, and hold others accountable to achieve individual and organizational goals. Creates an environment that supports performance, growth, collaboration, and continuous improvement.  Time Management/Organization & Attention To Detail --Effectively plans, prioritizes, and organizes work to meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy, completeness, and standards. Demonstrates careful attention to detail, follows established procedures, and manages multiple responsibilities efficiently.  Strategic Execution and Implementation-- Demonstrates the ability to align actions with organizational goals, prioritize effectively, mobilize resources, overcome obstacles, and deliver results through well-planned and timely execution. Skills and Experience A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required, with a minimum of 8 years of demonstrated success in planned giving, including staff supervision required Demonstrated success required in implementation of strategies and systems to substantially increase efficiency in a gift planning program; effective collaboration externally with allied professionals and internally with peers, and broader staff; working knowledge of technical, legal, and financial requirements associated with planned giving.  Demonstrated effective collaboration skills with external allied professionals and internally with peers, and broader staff; working knowledge of technical, legal, and financial requirements associated with planned giving.  Relevant professional credential or planned giving certification preferred (e.g. CPA, JD, CFP, CAP, CGPA, CFRE.)     Demonstrated expertise in wo