Director, Planned Giving

Job Description

Job Description

Why join our team?

With a mission that spans the globe, the USO provides a rewarding and fulfilling work environment. Our team is exceptional, and we offer generous paid time off, including volunteer days and military leave. We have a remarkable 401k match, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for training and education reimbursement. Our team members are passionate about putting the mission first, and we have a lot of fun while doing it. Working for the USO isn't just a job – it's a calling, and we believe in doing what you love and loving what you do.

A Certified Great Place to Work®

Don’t just take our word for it—our people have spoken. According to the Great Place to Work® 2025–2026 survey:

• 96% feel good about how we support the community
• 94% are proud to tell others they work at the USO
• 92% say their work has special meaning—it’s not “just a job”
• 91% felt welcomed from day one
• Over 88% agree all employees are treated fairly, regardless of race or gender

The Director, Planned Giving is responsible for building on and instituting sophisticated frontline fundraising strategies to drive significant growth in planned giving revenue. Through targeted marketing and communications avenues, the Director, Planned Giving will raise staff and donor awareness of the importance and benefits of planned giving, provide leadership of the USO 1941 Legacy Society as the organization’s primary planned giving stewardship vehicle, and serve as the organization’s primary subject matter expert on planned giving to fundraisers at HQ and across regions.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (*Essential Duties)

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the growth and operations of the Planned Giving Program, expanding legacy gift commitments to advance long-term growth and surpass the annual $13MM target.Refine, develop and implement a comprehensive planned giving program for the USO.

• Provide strategic guidance, training, and materials to national and regional fundraising staff.*Strategically manage a portfolio of approximately 50 planned giving prospects at all stages of the fundraising continuum -- discovery, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Leverage the engagement of USO leadership in key donor relationships.*

• Serve as a strategic partner for Relationship Managers on individual donor relationships when planned giving vehicles are central to securing commitments, including opportunities for joint donor visits and blended gift discussions to address donors’ philanthropic and financial goals.
• Manage the 1941 Legacy Society through stewardship of donors who have communicated their intent to leave the USO in their estate plans, including in person or virtual visits, communication and stewardship reports, and invitation to in-person and virtual events.*
• Manage planned giving strategy, budget, and choice of vendors for program communications to achieve short and long-term fundraising goals. Coordinate planned giving marketing efforts, communication materials, and direct mail appeals, working closely with the Marketing & Communications, Legal, Operations, and Major Gift Teams.*
• Use donor management database to proactively manage planned giving prospects, donors, Legacy Society members, and open estates. Secure donor testimonials for use in direct mail, USO web pages and other materials. Collaborate with Development Operations colleagues to confirm realized bequests.*
• Oversee review and analysis of legal documentation to administer planned gift expectancies through wills, trusts and other deferred giving instruments in which the USO is a named beneficiary. Generate and update reports and SOP’s regarding USO Planned Giving and the Legacy Society. Work with attorneys and financial advisors, as needed.
• Maintain general understanding of current tax reform legislation and stay apprised of changes and developments that could impact legacy donors. Attend webinars, programs, and conferences focused on gift planning.
• Oversee planned giving tasks performed by the Development Coordinator including managing inquiries received through the Planned Giving email inbox, periodic mailings to Legacy Society members, establishing database accounts and facilitating welcome packages for new members of the Legacy Society, and administering invoices, contracts and amendments for planned giving vendors. &