JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Planned Giving Officer Job Grade: 27
Department: Resource Development Reports to: Manager, Individual Giving
Date Prepared: 1.30.26 FLSA Status: Exempt
JOB SUMMARY:
The Planned Giving Officer is responsible for growing and stewarding United Way's planned (legacy) giving program. This role manages a portfolio of major donors and builds and maintains strong relationships with Legacy Society members and prospects.
The Planned Giving Officer also leads and supports donor and volunteer committees and networks, engaging members as ambassadors to advance legacy giving efforts and increase retiree participation and philanthropic investment among key constituent groups.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a high level of professionalism and discretion, possess a working knowledge of legacy giving vehicles and opportunities and be able to clearly articulate the long-term benefits of legacy giving to donors, the organization, and the broader community.
While working closely with organizational leadership, the Manager of Individual Giving, and the Resource Development team, this role builds and manages a robust pipeline of donors whose legacy commitments will help ensure the long-term future of United Way.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBLITIES Essential job functions and expected performance standards include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Manage and grow a portfolio of assigned major ($10,000+) and leadership-level ($1,200+) donors, both in and outside the workplace, by setting goals, cultivating and soliciting gifts, tracking progress, stewarding relationships, and maintaining accurate and timely records in CRM (Andar).
- Lead efforts to identify, cultivate, solicit, and secure new and newly revealed planned gift intentions, including bequests, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, and other planned giving vehicles.
- Conduct strategic discovery and prospect research using the CRM and constituent data to identify, qualify, and prioritize prospective planned giving donors in partnership with the Major Gift team.
- Assess and strengthen the legacy giving program by partnering with data and IT teams to develop and maintain effective tracking, documentation, and reporting processes.
- Develop and implement strategies to recruit, cultivate, steward, and recognize legacy donors and qualified prospects through targeted outreach, marketing initiatives, events, and other engagement opportunities.
- Partner closely with the VP of Finance to ensure legal and ethical compliance of planned giving agreements and support related documentation, reporting, and recordkeeping.
- Provide comprehensive support to board and community volunteers engaged in legacy giving, including advising, individualized support, coordination, and follow-up based on volunteer needs.
- Serve as the internal subject-matter expert on legacy giving opportunities, providing training, guidance, and resources to Resource Development staff and volunteers.
- Participate in ongoing professional development to remain current on planned and legacy giving best practices and trends.
- Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to promote legacy giving, retiree content and the Legacy Society at United Way, including digital presence (social media, blogs...etc), materials, electronic newsletters, and promotional strategies.
- Leverage best practices from United Way Worldwide and partner organizations nationwide to identify and implement effective planned giving strategies.
- Work with community volunteers and partners to leverage existing relationships, identify potential donors, and engage key decision-makers.
Committee Management and Volunteer Leadership
- Manage multiple volunteer committees, each consisting of approximately 10-20 members.
- Identify, recruit and provide a high level of service to members of volunteer committees, including professionals and community leaders such as financial planners, retirees, and estate planning professionals, to ensure a strong and engaged volunteer leadership base.
- Organize and facilitate co-chair meetings, quarterly committee meetings, subcommittee meetings, and event-related meetings, as needed.
- Develop and implement strategies to increase engagement and philanthropic contributions among key constituent groups, including retirees.
- Partner with committee co-chairs to establish strategic direction and priorities for committees, networks, and related subcommittees.
- In collaboration with Volunteer Engagement, plan and manage event timelines and registration for committee led initiatives.
Expected Outcomes: The Planned Giving Officer will grow and sustain a strong pipeline of legacy giving donors by building trusted relationships with current and prospective donors, effectively communicating United Way's mission and long-term impact, and integrating planned giving into the broader Resource Development strategy. Success in this role will be demonstrated by increased donor engagement, growth in documented and realized legacy gifts, increased campaign revenue, effective leadership of volunteer committees, and strengthened alignment across the organization to ensure the long-term sustainability of United Way.
JOB REQUIREMENTS: QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
- Proven experience in fundraising with demonstrated success in soliciting and securing major gifts; experience with legacy gifts preferred.
- Strong track record in building and sustaining meaningful relationships with donors, volunteers, and community partners.
- High comfort level engaging business and community leaders, with excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively across diverse audiences and generations.
- Self-starter and forward thinker who takes initiative, adapts quickly, and demonstrates the ability to develop and implement strategies that drive best practices and maximize fundraising outcomes.
- Knowledge of the philanthropic landscape within United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County's four-county footprint.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage donors, volunteers, and internal teams.
- Strong planning, time management, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
- High-energy, inspiring team leader and collaborator with perseverance and a willingness to tackle ambitious challenges.
- Comfortable with basic calculations and donor data management, including tracking contributions and supporting financial reporting.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Teams, PowerPoint, and Outlook Calendar.
- Strong understanding of group dynamics with experience facilitating team and volunteer meetings.
- Effective analytical and problem-solving skills.
CORE COMPETENCIES & ATTRIBUTES
- Mission-Focused. Ability to link donor, volunteer, and advocates' aspiration to needs; Ability to catalyze others' commitment to mission; Strives vigorously to accomplish shared goals; Separates one's own interests from organizational interests in order to make the best possible judgements for the organization.
- Relationship-Oriented. United Way professionals understand that people come before process and is astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal. Allocates time for relationship building, consciously creates time for engaging with others and deepening relationships. Help others achieve their goals by sharing ideas, time, and resources.
- Collaborator. United Way professionals understand the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement. Focuses on shared goals.
- Results-Driven. United Way professionals are dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good, creating, resourcing, scaling, and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact. Has a clear vision and focus on results and can effectively communicate goals and impact. Has the necessary organizational skills to deliver on our modern business model. Advocates for support of our strategic initiatives and the foundational and sustaining force of our community impact fund.
- Brand Steward. Acts with integrity and strong ethics to foster trust at all levels.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree related to non-profit management, marketing, sales, communications, management or business, human services, and/or philanthropy.
- Six (6)+ years related experience, or equivalent experience in fundraising and individual stewardship experience; may be substituted by CFRE credential or demonstrated planned giving success.
- Preferred experience in planned giving, volunteer management, and major gift fundraising within a nonprofit organization.
OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES
LANGUAGE
- Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, agencies, or members of the business community.
- Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
- Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups and/or boards of directors.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands at UWGMWC are representative of what is needed to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard, reach, stoop and occasionally kneel.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
- Light to moderate lifting is required (up to 25 lbs).
- Ability to uphold the stress of traveling (in designated positions).
- Regular, predictable attendance is required; including additional overtime as business demands dictate.
- Ability to drive automobile to meetings, appointments, and events.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Moderate noise (business office with computers, phone, printers and light traffic).
- Ability to work in a confined area.
- Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
It is the policy of UWGMWC to comply with all relevant and applicable provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended. UWGMWC will not discriminate against any qualified applicant with respect to any terms, privileges or conditions of employment based upon an individual's physical or mental disability. UWGMWC will also make reasonable accommodation whenever and wherever possible for all employees or applicants with disabilities provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the duties and assignments required by the job, and provided that any accommodation does not require significant difficulty or expense. UWGMWC's policy of non-discrimination applies to all personnel and employment practices including, but not limited to, job application procedures, hiring, advancement, termination, compensation, job training and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of UWGMWC to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, veteran status or military service, or other non-merit factor or other legally protected characteristic. This applies to all recruiting, hiring, placement, training, promotion, compensation, transfers and other employment-related programs and personnel actions.
BELONGING & INCLUSION STATEMENT:
belonging & Inclusion is a core value at United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. We strive every day to enhance the culture of belonging and are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment. We believe this allows us to attract, retain the best possible colleagues to use their full gifts to serve our community. We are looking for other great colleagues who are excited about this important work.
This job description indicates the general nature and work level performed by employees within this position. It is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required. The duties and/or requirements of this position may be modified, added, or deleted at any time. Other duties may be assigned.
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United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
$70,000 - Hybrid schedule, on-site presence required.
Feb 16, 2026