Specialist, Will and Estate Gifts

If you are up for the challenge and would like to be considered for this position, we would like to hear from you. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is looking to fill the following career opportunity:

POSITION: Specialist, Will and Estate Gifts

STATUS: Temporary; Full-Time (6 months with the possibility of extension)

SHIFT: 35 hours per week - Monday to Friday - Hybrid

LOCATION: Provincial Office in Vancouver, BC

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

WAGE: Salaried

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website. We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission, vision and values.

This position will be responsible for the administration of a portfolio of estate files, life insurance gifts, and other types of designated estate gifts. They are suAbject matter experts in the administration of planned gifts and responsible for the realization of large revenue opportunities. They take a strategic perspective to attain agreement, close files and achieve funding objectives. They do this while balancing the best interests of the BC SPCA, respect for the donor's wishes and maintaining strong relationships with senior industry peers in an increasingly complex and litigious environment.

The role

• Proactively manages the estate administration for a portfolio of estate files and accounts, from the initial notification to completion, identifying items requiring further inquiry and corresponding with estate trustees/executors and their counsel to request clarification and documentation regarding such accounts.
• Responsible for the follow up and realization of other types of designated legacy gifts, including Life Insurance Policies, RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs, etc.
• Works to maximize annual revenues from their portfolio through timely and accurate realization, accounting, reporting, allocation and recognition of these estate gifts. This includes but is not limited to:
• Verifying all estate accounts to ensure that all claims are valid, reasonable and legal; and
• Verifying executor fees are within acceptable and legally stipulated limits.
• Identify activities within the administration of the estate outside our standard practice and/or which may impact the BC SPCA negatively and put forward, and work to attain agreement on, counter proposals.
• Works closely with lawyers, executors, trustees, brokers and financial institutions externally to ensure estate gifts are administered in accordance with the legal and fiduciary responsibilities of estate trustees.
• Ensures proper documentation is received and any discrepancies are rectified.
• Communicate with other charities named as co-beneficiaries of an estate to, where applicable, develop shared strategies to improve outcomes and reduce costs.
• Alerts Director, Will & Estate Gifts to all potential contentious estate matters, time-sensitive issues, public relations implications, and litigation to determine proper communication with internal and external stakeholders, making recommendations where appropriate.
• Follows procedures related to the Will & Estate Gifts program.
• Liaises with the Finance department to reconcile estate accounts and ensure accurate realization, accounting, reporting and allocation of estate gifts.
• Maintains detailed and accurate records and contributes to the maintenance of estate files in Raisers Edge, Docushare, and in other Will & Estate Gifts tracking with respect to funds expected and received, open estate files follow up, fund allocations, actions taken to realize gifts and communication with internal and external parties.
• Liaises with the BC SPCA's auditors on inquiries relating to their portfolio.
• Collaborates with all team members in maintaining and updating manuals and standard documentation.

Other duties:

• Participates in regular team, department, and organizational meetings/training as required.
• Reports on activities, realized and expected estate gifts regularly to the Director, Will and Estate Gifts, and to the CDO through scheduled and ad hoc reports as required.
• Contributes to reporting to Senior Management and Board as required.
• Monitors, contributes to and reports on relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPI) as appropriate.
• Other duties as required.

Other responsibilities:

• Leads by example in professionalism and commitment to excellence.
• Maintains subject matter expertise by keeping current on tax aspects of estates, trusts and other charitable gifts and informed about new legislation and revenue rulings affecting estate gifts.
• Develops and maintains relationships with industry peers.
• Commits to making the BC SPCA a provincial leader in fundraising expertise and results.
• Commits to continuing education and learning as it relates to fundraising generally and will and estate gifts specifically.

What skills have you developed?

• Post-secondary education plus 5-8 years of experience in will and estates administration in the charitable sector; OR Training as a lawyer or trust officer and 2-4 years direct experience in a law office or trusts firm; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable to the employer. Familiar with case law related to WESA (Wills, Estates and Succession Act).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Strong ability to write clearly structured and detail-oriented correspondence.
• Advanced use of Microsoft Office products (specifically Word & Excel).
• Proficient user of a fundraising CRM – we use Raiser's Edge
• Demonstrated ability to:
• Manage a portfolio of files with competing priorities in an organized and detail oriented fashion.
• Manage timelines and meet deadlines within a high-volume, fast-paced environment
• Explains & presents complex ideas and proposals clearly, anticipates potential objections and prepares case accordingly, influences stakeholders and attains agreement.
• Interact and communicate complex matters with clarity in an effective manner with people of different age groups and backgrounds
• Problem- solve and use critical and analytical thinking skills.
• Be flexible, take initiative, and be keen with a willingness to learn
• Commitment to proper management of confidential and sensitive records.
• Professional demeanor and presentation
• Philosophical harmony with the mission, vision and strategic direction of the BC SPCA.

The BC SPCA compensation structure is based on external benchmarks and regularly reviewed. Starting placement on the range for this position will be commensurate with the successful candidate's experience. The hiring manager will share the range with short-listed candidates prior to scheduling interviews. In order to be considered, please submit both a resume and cover letter with your application.

How to apply

If you are interested in joining our team and are legally entitled to work in Canada, we would like to hear from you. Click on apply now or use the link to apply

We thank you for your interest in the BC SPCA, however; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

The BC SPCA is a Registered Charity BN RR0001