Job Summary
Reporting to the Principal Director of Institutional Fund raising,
the Senior Director of Gift Planning is responsible for leading the
strategy, growth, and execution of a comprehensive planned giving
program for University Advancement at the University of Utah. This
role is within the Institutional Fund raising (IFR) team and is
highly collaborative, working with major gift staff across multiple
constituent schools, colleges, and areas throughout the
institution. The focus of this role is to encourage and support the
acquisition of planned gifts from donors interested in utilizing
and appropriately documenting planned gift vehicles for the benefit
of the University of Utah. Responsibilities will include generating
philanthropic gifts from donors through planned gift vehicles such
as simple bequests in wills or living trusts, charitable trusts,
charitable gift annuities, gifts utilizing retirement assets.
etc.
The Senior Director of Gift Planning will oversee a team of up to
three planned giving staff, with one role currently vacant. The
Senior Director will be tasked with both enhancing the work of the
existing gift planning officers, and building out the systems,
training, marketing, and best practices that support all frontline
and major gift fundraisers to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and
appropriately document planned gifts for the benefit of the
U.
Please note, the posted salary range reflects the compensation
range within which we will make an offer. Offers are determined
based on qualifications, skills, and experience. Placement at the
top of the range is reserved for candidates who demonstrate
exceptional qualifications and experience directly aligned with the
role.
Responsibilities
- Actively manage and maintain an appropriately sized portfolio
of planned gift prospects and donors at the stages of identify,
qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward.
Works with the various Advancement Services teams and the Fund
Development Specialist in Gift Planning to ensure systematic coding
of donors and plans are recorded so that reports and metrics
related to planned gift fundraising performance are accurate and
reflect fund raiser activity.
The Senior Director will partner with leadership and all
frontline fund raisers, particularly major gift staff, as well as
work with deans and institutional leaders, to encourage the
development of and to provide support for cultivating, soliciting,
and stewarding planned gifts. This position will work closely with
the entire University Advancement team to ensure coordination among
institutional giving programs and across all units within the
institution.
Create, implement, and provide oversight to the engagement of a
Gift Planning and Financial Advisors Council comprised of local
leaders in the financial planning and services space who will
advocate for and provide education around the utilization of gift
planning vehicles for the benefit of the University of Utah.
Coordinates with the Donor Relations team to ensure that
effective and efficient stewardship of planned gift donors is
achieved. This work will include developing and executing
meaningful touch points for donors and reimagining the donor
recognition experience within the John R. Park Society.
Maintains accurate records for engagement activities,
productivity, and prepares monthly fundraising progress reports for
accountability and dissemination. The Senior Director will be
jointly accountable for the achievement of individual and planned
giving team performance metrics including monthly contact reports,
solicitations, new qualifications, and overall annual fundraising
performance goals.
Partner with both the IFR's Campaign and Communications team
and the Donor Relations and Communications team, to implement and
execute marketing and educational promotional materials for planned
giving information, planned giving acquisition, donor storytelling,
and stewardship.
With the support of our Talent Enhancement and Training team,
provide both regular, in-person gift planning education seminars
and on-going, virtual trainings for fundraising staff.
As necessary, partner with professionals in the Office of
General Counsel, Real Estate, and University Advancement staff in
Donor Relations and related areas of gift agreements, compliance,
and others for the execution of donor gift intentions.
Serves as an integral member of the IFR leadership team by
contributing to leadership meetings, thinking boldly and big across
systems, being a One U player, supporting the institution's
comprehensive fundraising campaign, and leading out on planned
giving strategy for University Advancement.
Participates in professional development activities to remain
current on relevant activity and trends in gift planning, financial
and estate planning, federal tax law and regulations that govern
charitable giving, new services offered by other nonprofit groups
and organizations, and to raise the University Advancement's
visibility as a top ten public higher education advancement
organization.
Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education
can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience
(Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work
experience).
Senior Director, Advancement Management: Requires
a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 14 years or a master's (or
equivalency) + 12 years of directly related work experience.
Preferences
- Prefer experience in a large complex higher education or health
care institution.
- Ability to build relationships with current and future donors
to the institution.
- Expert knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations,
policies, etc. related to gift planning.
- Expert written and interpersonal communication skills,
including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working
relationships throughout the organization and with outside
constituencies. Expert skills in making persuasive and compelling
presentations of goals and objectives for a location in order to
secure gifts.
- Expert organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills,
problem recognition/avoidance/resolution skills. Expert
project/program management skills, including skills in setting and
meeting program/project goals and objectives within budget and time
constraints.
- Experience managing teams
- Additional credentials such as: Juris Doctorate, Certified
Specialist in Planned Giving, Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy, or
paralegal studies degree, Member of Gift Planning organizations at
a leadership level, etc.
Special Instructions
Requisition Number: PRN46259B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: Monday through Friday, with some work
hours for events and travel for donor events and meetings as
needed.
Department: 00289 - Development
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $130,000 - $150,000
Close Date: 12/15/2026
Open Until Filled:
To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/9842629"">https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/209554
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