Associate Director of Gift Planning

Associate Director of Gift Planning

Join Our Team and Make a Difference in Higher Education!

Position Summary

Applicants must be Colorado residents or be able to relocate to Colorado within a month of starting employment with the University of Colorado System Administration.

Please note that leadership may adjust in‑office work requirements with a minimum of three months' notice before any change can be implemented.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

• Collaborate with CU System Advancement staff to develop a prospect pipeline and cultivate, solicit, negotiate, and close gifts, focusing on multi‑faceted outright gifts, gifts of complex or unique assets, gifts‑in‑kind, revocable designations, and irrevocable gifts such as charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, retained life estates, or charitable lead trusts.
• Provide technical gift‑planning expertise in the CU Anschutz office to cultivate and advance gifts that benefit CU.
• Advise CU Anschutz development officers on prospect identification and solicitation strategies for planned gifts.
• Support development officers in the cultivation, proposal, and solicitation phases of gift conversations, including in‑person and virtual meetings and development of gift agreements.
• Maintain current knowledge of planned‑giving strategies and share updates with colleagues, including conducting training on tax laws and regulations related to charitable giving.
• Contribute to University system, campus, and Gift Planning department goals by supporting the implementation of an annual gift‑planning workplan to achieve strategic goals.
• Advance system‑level gift‑planning strategies, creating a strong future pipeline, developing staff trainings, stewarding legacy society members, strengthening relationships with the advisory community, and evaluating counting standards, gift‑acceptance policies, and procedures.
• Cultivate existing and new benefactor relationships—e.g., thank‑you calls, prospecting/cold calls, discovery visits, stewardship touches—to sustain and increase relationships on behalf of CU Anschutz.
• Ensure timely, accurate completion of discovery outreach, proposals, pledges, and fund agreements.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned, such as database maintenance, gifts‑in‑kind support, and estate distribution efforts.

• Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Process‑management products (, MS Teams).
• Gift‑planning software (PGM Anywhere, TIAA Kaspick Gift Advisor).
• Donor‑tracking and reporting software (Salesforce).

Salary: $95,000-$98,000

• No‑cost or low‑cost medical & dental plan options, including IVF assistance.
• Disability, life, vision insurance options.
• Multiple retirement options including mandatory 401(a) with CU matching 10%, a 401(k) or 403(b), and a 457 deferred‑compensation plan.
• Pre‑tax savings plans (health care and dependent‑care flexible spending accounts).
• Work‑life balance with ample sick and vacation leave, at least 12 paid holidays, and a dedicated week off for winter break.
• Six weeks of parental leave.
• A tuition benefit program for you or dependents.
• Free RTD Eco Pass and onsite parking at 1800 Grant Street Office.
• Additional perks and programs with the CU Advantage.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent professional experience, with year‑for‑year substitution.
• At least five (5) years’ experience securing major and/or planned gifts, fundraising, or financial planning.
• At least one (1) year of experience in a team‑lead or supervisory role, including assignment review and guidance.
• Ability to travel.

• Post‑baccalaureate degree (MBA, JD, MA, etc.).
• At least seven (7) years’ experience securing major and/or planned gifts.
• At least two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• Professional certification such as Certified Financial Planner.
• Experience in nonprofit, higher education, or healthcare.
• Experience working within large, complex organizations.