Overview
About the Organization:
UJA-Federation of New York is the largest local philanthropy in the world. For more than 100 years, we’ve brought New Yorkers together to solve some of the most pressing problems facing our community. Thanks to our network of hundreds of non-profits, we can leverage our expertise across any number of areas — including health and human services, arts and culture, and education — to care for Jews everywhere and New Yorkers of all backgrounds, respond to crises close to home and far away, and shape our Jewish future. Our reach extends from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year.
Position Summary:
Reporting to the Vice President of the Planned Giving & Endowments Department (PG&E), the Manager of Trusts and Estates will be the key liaison to all executors and attorneys handling estate matters. Overseeing over $30 million in income every year, the Manager will have responsibility to ensure that UJA-Federation receives its appropriate share of cash and assets from estates and trusts in which it is named as a beneficiary.
Major Responsibilities:
· Receive and process Notice of Probate, Wills and Trust documents
· Proactively follow up with estate attorneys and executors to ensure the timeliness and accuracy of the estate gift
· Communication with attorneys, trustees, executors, personal representatives and other estate and trust administrators as needed to facilitate and ensure timely distributions of bequests to UJA
· Work with legal, financial and accounting professionals to secure funds for UJA through a donor’s will, trust, retirement account, real estate of other type of estate gift
· Review and monitor procedures for maintaining current and accurate information for all estates and trusts under administration to ensure security, data integrity and confidentiality of donor and estate records as required using specialized estate administration and donor database software
· Coordinate appropriate acknowledgement letters to executors, attorneys and family
· Evaluate legal documents and estate accountings
· Collaborate with Planned Giving staff regarding current and future legacy donors
· Research decedents’ campaign giving and life history and provide estate profiles to highlight legacy gifts for Annual Campaign colleagues
· Update Annual campaign and other staff colleagues about funds received from estates.
· Maintain both electronic and physical estate files
· Monitor estate database to ensure that all bequests all properly recorded
· Advises General Counsel about problematic cases which may involve the engagement of outside counsel
· Review and prepare documents for signature (Receipt and Release, Inheritance or Annuity Claim forms, etc.) and forward to the appropriate signatory
· Maintain contact and collaboration with colleagues in nonprofit organizations regarding estate gifts
· Coordinate with finance and grants staff as needed with respect to restrictions on estate gifts
Competencies and Skills:
· Bachelor’s degree required; law degree preferred
· 8 or more years of related work experience
· Excellent communication and writing skills necessary
· Strong interpersonal skills
· Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team
· Proactive and detail-oriented
· Demonstrates ability to prioritize and multitask in a demanding work environment
· Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; comfortable working with various databases