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Sr. Director of Gift Planning

Johns Hopkins University
United States, Maryland, Baltimore
Feb 25, 2026
The Sr. Director of Gift Planning will oversee a large-scale and complex comprehensive fundraising program that will work on behalf of Johns Hopkins University and for a large development office (DOFF), department area, or division. The Sr. Director will play a significant role in department/DOFF operations, which includes serving as a member of its senior administrative team; and provide substantial input into strategy and management regarding its philanthropic priorities, stewardship, including major gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, annual giving, and constituent engagement and may include oversight of other portfolios such as corporate and foundation giving, alumni relations, stewardship and events As the senior development leader, the Sr. Director is responsible for setting and advancing fundraising strategy at the highest levels, internally aligning development efforts and externally driving sustained, multi-year, and multi-faceted philanthropic success. The Sr. Director will manage a team in support of Johns Hopkins' ambitious fundraising goals. The Sr. Director will work closely with Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), as well as University and/or Medicine leadership to ensure long-term financial sustainability and growth.

The Office of Gift Planning (OGP) for Johns Hopkins University and Medicine is a central unit of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), responsible for the management, administration, execution and oversight of all gift planning activities. The Sr. Director reports to the Executive Director and is a player-coach, leading a team of Gift Planning Advisors, and carrying a portfolio of prospects and donors. As the senior development/gift planning leader, the Sr. Director is responsible for setting ambitious goals with the Executive Director and team. The Sr. Director is responsible for advancing fundraising strategies at the highest levels, internally aligning development efforts and externally driving sustained, multi-year, and multi-faceted philanthropic success. The Sr. Director provides substantial input into strategy, including identification of gift planning prospects, cultivation, solicitation and closing. The Sr. Director will work closely with DAR leaders, as well as University and Medicine leadership to ensure long-term financial sustainability and growth.

Key responsibilities:

  • Establish and implement fundraising strategies and priorities for a complex department(s), or division(s). Departmental/divisional goals should consistently exceed $15M. Oversee the strategy and execution of all stewardship efforts for specific department(s) and/or division.
  • Evaluate and update strategies as needed to meet long- and short-range goals and objectives to ensure the successful completion of individual and cumulative team solicitation and fundraising goals. Build the strategy for reaching department- or division-wide goals over multiple years and measure team success towards those goals. Department goals should consistently exceed $10M.
  • Create and implement strategies for pipeline building through data analytics and outreach.
  • Oversee and align all constituent engagement, annual giving, event, and pipeline activities with overall philanthropic objectives and outcomes.
  • Oversee efforts to identify new prospects and develop the prospect pipeline, coaching staff, and engaging University leaders and key volunteers in the process.
  • Monitor and report on fundraising progress and financial performance to DAR and University and/or Medicine leadership.
  • Oversee and collaborate on the creation and distribution and distribution of development related communications and marketing vehicles. Align development activity with institutional and unit brand and marketing parameters.
  • Build and lead a complex team of professional and support staff including directing personnel actions such as hiring, performance appraisals, promotions, transfers, and vacation schedules, among others. Direct reports will typically include a manager-level role, and at least four professional level FTEs. The team will include an additional area such as communications, marketing, events, stewardship, foundations, corporate relations, alumni relations, and/or finance.
  • Oversee, mentor, and motivate team members by assigning tasks, monitoring performance, resolving conflicts, and ensuring compliance with JHU policies to achieve organizational goals.
  • Ensure that the team is well-supported to reach its goals and is engaged in activities that support development in various parts of the organization. Cultivate and maintain an active portfolio of major and principal gift level donors and prospects. Engage directly in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals, foundations, and/or corporations. Personal fundraising goals should consistently range from $2.5M. Serve as the primary advocate and collaborative partner for shared gifts and donors across DAR.
  • Build and maintain a strong relationship with the leadership of the department(s) and/or division(s) and fundraise to support and execute their vision for the particular unit. Work with the unit leader to maximize the appeal and giving potential for donors by shaping and refining the philanthropic strategy for the assigned unit.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the department or division's mission, history, teaching, research, and/or clinical programs to effectively communicate funding opportunities. Learn and actively refresh knowledge of school/divisional/departmental collaborative partnerships, priorities, and shared goals. Train and debrief internal colleagues on current priorities and cases for support.
  • Operate with a high degree of fiscal responsibility. Work closely with leadership and finance teams to manage local budgets. Facilitate department/divisional budgets successfully by providing philanthropic forecasts and projections.
  • Collaborate with DAR leadership on high-priority, high-visibility tasks. Actively serve on and occasionally lead DAR and university-wide committees.
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and ethical standards. Advocate and ensure donor intent is honored in funds distribution and utilization. Represent the department(s) and/or division at public events and speaking engagements.
  • Recruit and manage volunteers and board members, leveraging volunteerism towards giving.
  • Other duties as assigned.

In addition to the duties described above, the Sr. Director of Gift Planning will:

  • Cultivate and maintain an active portfolio of Gift Planning donors and prospects (about 50). Engage directly in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gift planning prospects.
  • Create and implement strategies for pipeline building through data analytics and outreach, working in our JHAS (Johns Hopkins Advancement System) which is Salesforce and the Office of Advancement Services (OAR).
  • Partner with the Office of Annual Giving (OAG) on shared prospects, direct mail and other engagement, and modeling for gift planning potential.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree.
  • Eight years progressive experience working directly with estates and trusts or in non-profit gift planning. Three years direct supervisory experience, including that of frontline fundraisers.
  • Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced degree (Master's, JD).
  • Higher education and/or academic medical center fundraising experience
  • Proven solicitation success at the seven-figure level.
  • Supervisory experience of other frontline fundraisers and specialized teams in development and alumni relations.
  • Experience setting vision and multi-lateral goals for a team.
  • Experience in a comprehensive or capital campaign.
  • Experience leading large-scale or cross functional initiatives or projects.
  • Possess leadership characteristics in the following areas:
    • Build effective networks and working relationships.
    • Consistently manage, encourage, and provide feedback to others to strengthen skills and fulfill job requirements.
    • Show a commitment to building consensus and collaboration while holding self and others accountable.
    • Lead by example in adaptability and empathy.
    • Act with authenticity and transparency.
    • Navigate the organization with purpose, focused on vision, mission and strategy.
  • Technical Qualifications & Specialized Certifications:
  • Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
  • Familiarity working in a CRM system.

Classified Title: Sr. Director Gift Planning
Job Posting Title (Working Title):Sr. Director of Gift Planning
Role/Level/Range: L/04/LF
Starting Salary Range: Targeted salary: $180,000 (commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
FLSA Status:Exempt
Location:Mount Washington Campus
Department name: 10001632-Gift Planning
Personnel area: University Administration

#LI-Hybrid

This salary range does not include all components of the Office of Gift Planning compensation program. This position may be eligible for a discretionary bonus. Therefore, the actual compensation paid to the selected candidate may vary slightly from the salary range stated herein. For more information, please contact the hiring department.

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