"Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Estate and Gift Planning"

Job Details

Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Estate and Gift Planning

Department: DEV Development Office

Advertised Salary Range: $116,104 - commensurate with qualifications

Part/Full Time: Full Time

About UofSC
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, 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.

Inclusive Excellence Statement

Advertised Job Summary
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.
• Partners closely with the colleges/units serving as an expert to provide advice and guidance to donors and prospective donors capable of giving large donations to the University.
• Responsibilities include focusing on particularly alumni and non-alumni friends that require interaction with the Dean’s, University’s President, Vice President for Development, other key leadership positions, and top volunteers.

This position:

• Proactively identifies significant prospects and works with other fundraisers to determine specific strategies, coordinate all gift planning cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship steps, both those managed centrally and across all units and colleges.
• Will be part of the University Development team and will operate within the system and procedures of USC Development to ensure consistent and well-coordinated activities.
• Provides significant support to the AVP to communicate to a variety of audiences the different vehicle options available to donors and prospective donors to donate to the University.
• Actively engage externally through creativity, discovery, and outreach efforts to cultivate donors and prospective donors for estate and planned gifts.
• Performs duties requiring the analysis of broad problems and the planning of various inter-related departmental activities; must be able to aggressively pursue prospective donors with great diplomacy and tact.

Minimum Qualifications (Classified and Unclassified positions)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years proven experience estate and planned gifts/development in higher education and/or hybrid development model.
• Previous campaign experience including experience soliciting and closing estate and planned gifts. Familiarity with Blackbaud CRM donor database preferred.
• Acceptable certifications include law degree, accounting degree, trust and estates background (trust officer), and financial planner.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• 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 cultivation 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 to which they are assigned and for others as needed.
• 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 are required 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 very donor-centric are required.

Job Close Date
09/29/2025

Special Instructions to Applicant
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 September 29, 2025
The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
Health and Life Insurance
Retirement Programs
Paid Tuition
Dependent Scholarships
Annual Leave
Sick Leave
13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
Paid Parental Leave
Professional Development Opportunities
Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
To apply, please visit: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/194048

EEO Statement
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.