Senior Planned Giving Officer  

Chicago, IL  
Hybrid - 3 days onsite    


Apply via LinkedIn or send your resume to kristenayres@cbnonprofitsearch.com with subject line "Senior Planned Giving Officer"

Position Overview 

Join a purpose-driven team working to end hunger and tackle its root causes through community partnerships, advocacy, and direct food distribution. Every role contributes to a powerful mission that helps provide millions of meals annually to individuals and families in need. Be part of a movement creating lasting change by increasing access to nutritious food and building a healthier, more equitable future for all.    
 
As the Senior Planned Giving Officer, you will lead the organization’s planned giving strategy, driving the growth of the legacy gift pipeline and strengthening long-term donor engagement. You will manage a portfolio of planned giving prospects and select major gift donors, guiding relationships through all stages of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, including blended and deferred gift opportunities. In close partnership with the Director of Strategic Giving, you will ensure planned giving efforts are fully integrated into the broader individual giving strategy while leveraging data-driven insights to shape program design, donor engagement, and long-term philanthropic impact. 

 
Responsibilities 

• Lead strategy for the Planned Giving program, growing legacy commitments and long-term donor pipelines 
• Manage a portfolio of planned giving prospects and select Major Gift donors aligned with legacy giving 
• Serve as primary relationship manager, advancing both outright and planned gift conversations 
• Partner with internal stakeholders to align Planned Giving, Major Gifts, and overall donor strategy 
• Guide donors from annual and major gifts into legacy commitments through values-based engagement 
• Oversee strategy and stewardship of the legacy society 
• Manage portfolio segmentation and ensure donors progress through key stages (identification → confirmation) 
• Develop strategies for complex donor journeys, including blended (outright + deferred) gifts 
• Collaborate on marketing efforts to drive planned giving lead generation 
• Balance short-term revenue goals with long-term donor relationships and legacy outcomes 
• Analyze and interpret planned giving and blended gift data across pipelines and campaigns 
• Partner with finance and external advisors to ensure accurate and timely documentation of planned gifts 
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date donor records, including contact reports and key data updates 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years of fundraising/development experience 
• Proven success securing five- and six-figure major and planned gifts 
• Strong expertise in Major Gifts, Planned Giving, and legacy giving strategies 
• Experience managing planned giving and/or blended gift portfolios 
• Skilled in cultivating and advancing complex, long-term donor relationships 
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills 
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities 
• Adaptable and effective in fast-paced environments 
• Proactive, with demonstrated initiative and ownership of new projects 
• Data-driven, with experience in forecasting and strategy development 
• Experience preparing executive-level reports and presentations 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office  
• Familiarity with fundraising databases (Raiser’s Edge/NXT preferred) 
• Collaborative team player and engaged contributor to broader organizational goals 
• Willingness to travel locally and work occasional evenings/weekends 

Compensation

• Salary: $115,000 - $130,000  
• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage  
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance  
• Employee Assistance Program  
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution  
• Generous paid time off  
• Parental leave  
• On-site gym  
• $3,000 annual employer-paid ThrivePass lifestyle and wellness benefit program  
• $250 employee referral bonus