Job Details

Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has served more than 8 million people in 60 countries, sharing safe water and the message of God's love. Working at Water Mission is as much a calling as it is a career, and we are searching for people with the courage, passion, and drive to help us change the world. Read more about our Statement of Faith and Our Christian Mission.

What is the opportunity?

The Legacy and Gift Planning Director is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive giving program to cultivate and secure legacy and asset-based gifts. This individual will create proactive strategies designed to nurture partnerships and facilitate legacy and asset-based gifts that accomplish both the partner's and ministry's objectives. The position will collaborate with outside consultants and vendors, work with Marketing to develop legacy giving materials, ensure data-driven and purposeful approaches, and guide the Investor Partnership team on best practices around legacy and asset-based giving. This full-time position reports to the Senior Director of Investor Partnerships and can be based in Charleston, South Carolina, or remotely in the United States near a major airport.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Christian Witness and Values Alignment:
   • Maintain a strong Christian witness and model servant leadership to colleagues, partners, and communities.
   • Engage in prayer before and after team meetings.
   • Lead biblically based staff devotions.
   • Serve partners and prospects in line with biblical stewardship principles.
2. Legacy and Gift Planning Program Development:
   • Build and implement a results-oriented legacy and gift planning program.
   • Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects, aiming for 10-15 partner calls or visits per month.
3. Educational Leadership and Collaboration:
   • Provide guidance and resources to the team on legacy and asset-based giving.
   • Collaborate with Marketing to develop relevant materials and campaigns.
4. Partner Stewardship and Relationship Building:
   • Build and maintain long-term relationships with legacy giving partners.
   • Engage with donors and advisors to facilitate seamless gift planning.
5. Documentation and Data Management:
   • Use Blackbaud Raiser's Edge to document communications and activities.
6. Content Creation and Communication:
   • Create proposals, reports, articles, and other materials reflecting Water Mission's values.
   • Represent Water Mission at events to raise awareness and engage prospects.
7. Program Metrics and Evaluation:
   • Develop and monitor success metrics, refine strategies based on data.
   • Partner with external consultants as needed.
8. Project Management:
   • Use Smartsheet for planning, managing deliverables, and tracking progress.
9. Organizational Knowledge:
   • Maintain knowledge of Water Mission's projects, legal, tax, and financial updates.
   • Engage with existing partners, document communications, and share spiritual impact stories with marketing.
   • Implement and maintain technology tools for scheduling and communication.

What is required?

• Personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Alignment with Water Mission's Statement of Faith and Core Values.
• Bachelor's degree required; law degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in development, financial or estate planning, focusing on legacy giving.
• Proven success in securing legacy gifts.
• Deep knowledge of legacy giving vehicles, trends, and tax implications.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong data management skills; experience with Blackbaud Raiser's Edge and Smartsheet preferred.
• Willingness to travel 20-40 nights annually, including to Charleston, SC.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong home internet bandwidth for video conferencing.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
• Commitment to the organization's values and mission to end the global water crisis.