Senior Philanthropic Advisor

About UofSC

From the Upstate to the Low country, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning.

All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

DEV Gift Planning

Full Time

Under limited supervision, reporting to the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Development and Legal Liaison to University Foundations, the Senior Philanthropic Advisor (SPA) directs and manages blended, planned and estate gifts, both deferred and major tax-advantaged for the University of South Carolina. The SPA partners closely with colleges/units, serving as an expert to provide advice and guidance to donors and prospective donors capable of giving large donations.

Responsibilities include focusing on alumni and non-alumni friends requiring interaction with university leadership and top volunteers, proactively identifying significant prospects, and coordinating all gift planning cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship steps across the system.

• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years proven experience in estate and planned gifts/development in higher education and/or hybrid development model.
• Previous campaign experience including soliciting and closing estate and planned gifts.
• Familiarity with Blackbaud CRM donor database preferred.

• Thorough knowledge of principles and methods of gift planning and contributing to a comprehensive, large scale fundraising program.
• Proven track record of visiting and qualifying major and/or gift planning donors and cultivating towards large, significant gifts.
• Gift planning solicitation experience is required.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with faculty, alumni, donors, students, volunteers, businesses and the general public.
• Outstanding oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to travel, work evenings and weekends, as required inside and outside of South Carolina to cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects for the teams assigned.
• Must be able to present to small and large groups about "planned giving" with a knowledge of basic and complex gifts.
• Effective computer experience including database operation and word processing.
• Experience in developing, mentoring and training development directors to learn estate and gift planning.
• Proven ability to develop relationships with leaders in a broad range of professions.
• Ability to relate and comprehend fundraising programs to university program goals and objectives.
• Very strong organizational skills, tact, diplomacy, and donor-centric focus.

02/23/2026

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors.

Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by February 23, 2026.

To apply, please visit: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./201208

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.