Director of Gift and Estate Planning

Director of Gift and Estate Planning

Position Summary:

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.

• Independently expand and manage a program for identifying, cultivating, soliciting planned giving prospects, those referred and all prospects indicating 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.

• 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 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, joint strategy development, and coordination on complex donor situations.

• 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.

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

Minimum Qualifications:

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

• 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.

• Sit and work in a standard office environment or vehicle for extended periods of time.
• Hold a valid driver’s license and drive as needed.
• 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.
• Use electronic mail, telephone, face‑to‑face discussions, paper form correspondence.
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening.
• Organize and establish priorities; remember details; multitask.
• Lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb.

Athens Area.

Benefits Eligible.

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, 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).