Description

Director, Gift Planning

Main focus: Advance and strengthen the Foundation’s planned giving program by engaging donors, advisors, and colleagues to create meaningful legacy gifts that transform children’s health. Combine technical expertise with relationship-driven leadership to inspire philanthropy that sustains the Foundation’s mission for generations.

Location:  Hybrid Position – the candidate will work an average of eight (8) days per month in our Palo Alto, CA office; the successful candidate will be based in the Bay Area.

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, in partnership with Stanford Medicine and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, unlocks philanthropy to transform health for children and families in Northern California – and around the world.  Through fundraising and grantmaking, the Foundation drives scientific research, innovation, and policy change that will improve care, advance cures, and reform healthcare systems for this and future generations.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

As the Director of Gift Planning, you’ll play an essential role in advancing the Foundation’s planned giving efforts by managing a portfolio of prospects and donors, developing complex giving strategies, and providing expert guidance on philanthropic, legal, and tax considerations. You’ll serve as a trusted partner to donors, professional advisors, and colleagues across the Foundation to secure new legacy commitments, steward existing donors, and expand awareness of planned giving opportunities. In this role, you’ll also provide strategic leadership within the Gift Planning team—mentoring staff, fostering a culture of excellence, and ensuring that planned giving strategies align with the Foundation’s broader development priorities.

This position reports to the Senior Director of Gift Planning and collaborates closely with colleagues across Development, Donor Relations, and Corporate and Foundation Relations to integrate planned giving into broader fundraising strategies that strengthen the Foundation’s long-term impact. The Director will lead one member of the Gift Planning team and serve as a dotted-line manager for a Gift Officer on a collaborating team, building cross-functional alignment and helping shape the Foundation’s long-term vision for legacy giving.

The compensation range for this role is $185,000-$195,000 annually.  

YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR

• Advancing and executing strategies to expand the Foundation’s planned giving program, strengthening donor engagement and awareness across the organization.
• Managing a portfolio of planned giving prospects and donors, developing personalized strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Securing new planned and blended gifts, including bequests, charitable trusts, income-producing gifts, Qualified Charitable Distributions, and noncash assets.
• Providing expert guidance on complex gift structures and collaborating with fundraisers to design creative solutions that align donor intent with Foundation priorities.
• Partnering with colleagues across Development, Donor Relations, and Corporate and Foundation Relations to integrate planned giving into comprehensive fundraising strategies.
• Cultivating relationships with professional advisors through education, outreach, and advocacy, positioning the Foundation as a trusted philanthropic partner.
• Maintaining expertise in tax law, estate planning, and charitable giving trends to ensure compliance and inform donor strategy.
• Educating and empowering others by delivering presentations and resources that deepen understanding of charitable gift planning among donors, advisors, and staff.
• Managing and developing team members to foster excellence, accountability, and continuous learning—providing regular constructive feedback, conducting timely performance evaluations, and cultivating a collaborative environment that drives engagement and results.

Requirements

YOU MUST HAVE 

• At least 7 years of experience in planned giving, major gifts, or related fundraising, with demonstrated success securing complex gifts
• Deep knowledge of planned gift vehicles, legal and tax implications, and other technical aspects of deferred giving
• Proven ability to build and sustain trust-based relationships with donors, advisors, and colleagues
• Strong portfolio management skills with the ability to balance cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing others through clear communication, honest feedback, and a balance of empathy and accountability, with a commitment to supporting team members’ professional growth and advancing shared goals
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and professionalism in handling confidential donor information
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to partner effectively across teams
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with CRM databases
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends and travel within the Bay Area; valid driver’s license, insurance, and vehicle required

IT’S AN ADDED PLUS IF YOU HAVE

• An advanced degree or professional credential such as a J.D., CFP, or equivalent certification in law, finance, or estate planning
• Expertise in blended gifts and the structuring of non-cash asset contributions
• Experience collaborating with professional advisors on complex charitable and estate planning strategies
• A background in academic medicine, healthcare, or higher-education fundraising, or other complex nonprofit environments
• Demonstrated success managing a high-net-worth donor portfolio for major and planned gifts
• Skill in mentoring or training colleagues on planned giving concepts and donor engagement approaches
• Familiarity with data-driven fundraising, analytics, and CRM systems to inform donor strategy

YOU’LL BE SUCCESSFUL IF YOU POSSESS THE FOLLOWING

• Technical Mastery and Curiosity – You bring deep knowledge of planned giving vehicles, tax and legal considerations, and financial concepts, and you stay curious about new philanthropic approaches and trends.
• Strategic Relationship Building – You cultivate trust and connection with donors, advisors, and colleagues, advancing shared goals through collaboration and empathy.
• Analytical and Creative Thinking – You navigate complex gift structures with precision while finding innovative solutions that align donor intent with the Foundation’s mission.
• Influence Through Partnership – You lead through collaboration, earning credibility as a technical expert and thought partner who strengthens fundraising strategies across teams.
• Empowering Leadership and Team Development – You inspire and guide others to achieve excellence, fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and inclusion that amplifies team and organizational impact.
• Clear and Compelling Communication – You translate complex information into clear, engaging messages that inspire confidence and action among donors and colleagues alike.
• Focus and Flexibility – You stay grounded in mission, adapt gracefully to change, and balance multiple priorities with composure and purpose.

Working at the Foundation

WE OFFER EXCELLENT BENEFITS & PERKS, INCLUDING

• Generous leave, including PTO, holidays, Summer Fridays, and a sabbatical (after 7 years of employment) 
•  Annual bonus opportunity
• Retirement plan + employer match
• Premium Medical and Dental coverage
• FSA + dependent care FSA
•  Employer-paid life insurance
• Legal services plan
• Commuter Benefits, including CalTrain “Go Pass” Program
• 4-week paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents
• Stipend for home office and mobile phone

WE’RE DYNAMIC

The Foundation is a dynamic organization in a rapidly changing industry. Therefore, the responsibilities associated with this position will evolve and grow in accordance with LPFCH's business needs and growth plans. More specifically, the incumbent may be required to perform additional and/or different responsibilities based on the future growth plans for the Foundation.

WE STRIVE TO EMBODY OUR CULTURAL TOUCHSTONES 

• Mission-first - We can never lose sight of why we exist and exercise profound commitment to advancing child and maternal health.
• Good of the whole - We share responsibility for overall results, think of what’s best for the team and organization, and act as responsible stewards of resources.
• Bold and bendy - We’re unapologetically ambitious for our mission, creative, and take risks by trying new things.   
• Sweat the big stuff - We’re clear on our priorities, calibrating effort and resources to audience and impact; the higher the return, the greater the investment.
• Make it happen - We’re focused on outcomes and prepared with ideas and solutions for every challenge.
• Community matters - We prioritize listening to and supporting each other, not just as colleagues, but as people with varied experiences and perspectives. 

EVERYONE BELONGS HERE 

Our Foundation values the unique qualities each of us brings to our team and community. We take pride in cultivating a workplace where every voice is heard and each of us has the opportunity to achieve our fullest potential—so that together, we can make meaningful impact on the health outcomes for children and their families.  

We are guided by the following principles: 

• Uphold integrity and professionalism in all our actions.
• Foster a welcoming and supportive culture.
• Embrace unique perspectives and contributions.
• Interact with compassion, openness, and an eagerness to learn.