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 the 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 role contributes directly to university-wide fundraising goals and is a key effort 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. The Director 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 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, supporting cross‑campus collaboration and strategy development for prospects and donors capable of major gifts ($50k+).

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

• At least 5 years of developmental 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.

• 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.

• 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 the 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, increasing probability of retaining planned gifts.

• 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, as well as industry association meetings, conferences, and seminars.

• Advanced knowledge of fundraising principles with specialized expertise in deferred and complex gift planning.
• Ability to independently analyze, recommend, and structure…