Description

Director of Gift and Estate Planning

Reporting to the Senior Director of Gift & Estate Planning in the Division of Development & Alumni Relations, the Director of Gift & Estate Planning is critical to University of Georgia’s efforts to identify and cultivate private support across all schools, colleges, and units on campus. The position is responsible for independently managing a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of making significant planned gifts. This position contributes directly to university-wide fundraising goals and is one of the key efforts to raise private funds that support student career preparation, scholarships, faculty support, research, innovation, public service and outreach, facility renovations as well as unrestricted money.  

This position focuses on managing a pipeline of deferred major gifts by establishing annual goals for individual donor prospects and advising development partners within schools, colleges, and units on planned giving strategy. The position works collaboratively with UGA Foundation trustees and other key volunteers as needed on university-wide and unit-based planned giving efforts. 

The Director of Gift & Estate Planning also serves as the liaison and subject-matter expert to other development officers across campus and therefore is critical to the central development team’s ability to support cross-campus collaboration and strategy development for prospects and donors capable of major gifts ($50k+).

Special Instructions to Applicants

This position is structured as a permanent position within the Division of Development & Alumni Relations. We are unable to sponsor a work visa for this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 5 years of development experience or professional experience related to relationship management in wealth management, banking, tax, law, or financial planning
  Estate and planned giving fundraising experience preferred
• Exhibits behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the University of Georgia

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of fundraising principles with specialized expertise in deferred and complex gift planning
• Ability to independently analyze, recommend, and structure planned gift solutions
• Demonstrated ability to explain complex financial, estate, and tax concepts to donors, advisors, and colleagues
• Strong professional judgment and discretion in donor engagement and solicitation strategy
• Self-starter, takes initiative, and can work independently as well as in a team environment
• Exemplary communications skills (written, verbal, and nonverbal)
• Organizational skills
• Demonstrates a commitment to outstanding customer service
• Knowledge of Word, Excel, database management, and email skills
• Communicates and employs interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct

Additional Division Expectations

• Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
• Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.

Physical Demands

• Sit and work in a standard office environment or vehicle for extended periods of time
• Hold a valid driver’s license
• Driving as needed to perform job duties
• Travel in and out of state as needed
• Work evenings and weekends, as necessary
• Sit and work at a computer workstation for extended periods of time
• Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening
• Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multi-task
• Lift and/or move up to 30 pounds
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb

Duties/Responsibilities

(60%) Portfolio Management and Gift Strategy Development

• Independently expand and manage program for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting planned giving prospects, referred planned giving prospects, and all other prospects that indicate an interest in making a planned gift.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors using sophisticated gift planning strategies aligned with donor intent and institutional priorities.
• Exercise discretion and professional judgment in determining appropriate solicitation methods, gift vehicles, and stewardship approaches.
• Document and manage donor strategy, activity, and pipeline progress in Blackbaud CRM platform.

(20%) Collaboration and Program Leadership

• Lead outreach to coordinate and collaborate with campus development colleagues to design and successfully execute planned gifts for schools, colleges, and departments. This involves proactive outreach, oversight, management and strategizing with internal partners in the plan management, preparation, and execution of strategies to achieve planned gift goals for individual units and the University overall.
• Influence and support fundraising outcomes through expert consultation, join strategy development, and coordination on complex donor situations.

(15%) Stewardship and Relationship Development

• Provide high-level stewardship for documented planned giving donors through personalized visits and other sustained communication.
• Maintain long-term donor relationships that reinforce trust, stewardship, and continued commitment to the University of Georgia and increase probability of retaining planned gift.

(5%) Advisory and Professional Representation

• Serve as a primary resource and subject matter expert for development colleagues regarding planned giving instruments and strategies.
• Attend and represent University of Georgia Office of Gift & Estate planning at division meetings, donor events, as well as industry association meetings, conferences, and seminars.

About the University of Georgia

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the Division of Development and Alumni Relations

The Division of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Georgia advances the goals, objectives, and priorities of the university by generating private financial support, building, and maintaining relationships with alumni and donors, and assisting students with career development opportunities.

About the Office of Gift and Estate Planning

The Office of Gift & Estate Planning (GEP) is part of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations. GEP assists donors with making a planned gift to the University of Georgia Foundation. This office partners with schools, colleges, units, and fundraisers across campus to ensure donors have the information and resources they need to make a planned gift. Many donors may not realize the capacity they have to positively impact the lives of students, faculty, and the University of Georgia for generations. Most donors cannot afford to make a major gift to the university at a given moment in their lives but planned giving provides an avenue through which the same people can give more than they ever thought possible.
 
Planned gifts are typically the largest and most significant gift a donor will ever make. At UGA, the evidence of planned giving and the effectiveness of such generosity permeates the institution. The university’s most generous benefactors have funded scholarships, chairs and professorships, campus infrastructure, and many other areas of critical need.

EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Requirements

Reporting to the Senior Director of Gift & Estate Planning in the Division of Development & Alumni Relations, the Director of Gift & Estate Planning is critical to University of Georgia’s efforts to identify and cultivate private support across all schools, colleges, and units on campus. The position is responsible for independently managing a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of making significant planned gifts. This position contributes directly to university-wide fundraising goals and is one of the key efforts to raise private funds that support student career preparation, scholarships, faculty support, research, innovation, public service and outreach, facility renovations as well as unrestricted money.  
 
This position focuses on managing a pipeline of deferred major gifts by establishing annual goals for individual donor prospects and advising development partners within schools, colleges, and units on planned giving strategy. The position works collaboratively with UGA Foundation trustees and other key volunteers as needed on university-wide and unit-based planned giving efforts. 
 
The Director of Gift & Estate Planning also serves as the liaison and subject-matter expert to other development officers across campus and therefore is critical to the central development team’s ability to support cross-campus collaboration and strategy development for prospects and donors capable of major gifts ($50k+).