"Senior Planned Giving Officer"

Job Details

Position Details

Position Information

Requisition Number
S4875P

Home Org Name
Planned Giving

Division Name
Senior VP, Advancement

Position Title
Senior Planned Giving Officer

Job Class Code
OA86, OA87, OA88

Appointment Status
Full-time

Part-time FTE

Limited Term
No

Limited Term Length

Job Summary

Auburn Advancement is excited to begin the search for a Senior Planned Giving Officer to join our Gift Planning team! In this pivotal role, you will use your financial, tax, and estate planning skills to secure transformative philanthropic gifts of $1 million and greater. Your work will advance Auburn University’s mission and priorities while helping donors make a meaningful impact on the future of our institution. We are growing and gearing up for a new campaign, and we need talent like yours to complete our team!

What You’ll Do:

• Provide charitable estate planning, and tax related expertise: Work with alumni and constituent development officers within the university to match the philanthropic goals of our donors with the strategic needs of the university.
• Build and Manage Relationships: Identify, cultivate, and solicit a portfolio of planned gift prospects, conducting 100–140 significant face-to-face visits annually to advance relationships and close planned gifts.
• Inspire Philanthropy: Present compelling proposals and make direct solicitations to secure private support, ensuring that each donor experience reflects Auburn’s values and vision.
• Provide Leadership and Mentorship: Support and mentor development staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth. Guide team members in best practices regarding charitable estate planning
• Stewardship and Engagement: Provide exceptional stewardship through timely acknowledgment, gratitude, and ongoing engagement with donors. Plan and attend special events that cultivate relationships and celebrate donor generosity.

Why You’ll Love It Here:

• Impactful Work: Your efforts will directly contribute to the growth and success of Auburn University and its priorities.
• Collaborative Environment: Join a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to making a difference.
• Purpose Driven Work: Align your passion and fulfillment to your work, where you’re trusted to reach your full potential and achieve your pinnacle career experience.
• Culture by Design: Thrive in a culture that champions respect, accountability, and professional development.

Now is the perfect time to join Auburn Advancement, a dynamic team encompassing Operations and Strategy, Culture and Talent, Engagement, Philanthropy, and Communications. Under the visionary leadership of Senior Vice President Rob Wellbaum – a seasoned and respected advancement professional – our organization is set to revolutionize the future of Advancement.

The nature of this role is highly externally focused, requiring frequent travel and meetings on and off campus during regular and non-traditional business hours, and is therefore expected to operate with high-levels of autonomy.

Essential Functions

Your responsibilities as a Senior Planned Giving Officer:

Purpose:

• Guide donors in developing transformational philanthropic partnerships, aligning their passions with Auburn’s mission.
• Create customized estate and tax related proposals and strategies for principal-level gifts ($1M+), ensuring meaningful impact and efficient gifting tools and techniques.

Collaboration:

• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, alumni, and advisors, foster trust and alignment with university priorities.
• Mentor and support development staff to promote a cohesive, high-performing team culture.

Innovation:

• Develop creative charitable estate giving strategies that explore a menu of planned giving options and that inspire major and principal-level giving.
• Stay current on tax and charitable giving laws and changes that will impact giving. Implement forward-thinking approaches to donor communications, proposals, and relationship management.

Production:

• Manage a portfolio of 100–140 major gift prospects, completing significant face-to-face visits annually.
• Prepare illustrations and tax deductions for various charitable gift options while maintaining accurate CRM records.
• Monitor progress toward fundraising goals and coordinate with internal teams to ensure successful outcomes.

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact : Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence : We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You : Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama : The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone : Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Senior Major Gifts Officer I

• Bachelor’s degree
• 7 years of experience in gift solicitation experience, development, fundraising, marketing, or portfolio management.

Senior Major Gifts Officer II

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10 years of experience in gift solicitation experience, development, fundraising, marketing, or portfolio management.

Senior Major Gifts Officer III

• Bachelor’s degree
• 12 years of experience in gift solicitation experience, development, fundraising, marketing, or portfolio management.

Minimum Skills, License, and Certifications

Minimum Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of business acumen and office procedures; knowledge of advanced concepts, practices andprocedures in the areas of fundraising, sales, marketing, recruiting, public relations, and must have the ability to adapt and respond appropriately to situations involving concurrent tasks.
• Demonstrated record of successful major gift solicitations and experience designing and executing donor identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies.

Minimum Technology Skills

Minimum License and Certifications

• Driver License, Valid and in State

Desired Qualifications

Desired Qualifications

• MBA, CPA, CFP, JD, CLU
• Financial planning, law, accounting, estate planning, securities, investment

Posting Detail Information

Salary Range
$91,550 - $228,040

Job Category
Communications/Public Relations/Marketing

Working Hours if Non-Traditional
This role works days, nights, weekends, and involves frequent travel.

City position is located in:
Auburn

State position is located:
Alabama

List any hazardous conditions or physical demands required by this position

Posting Date
11/21/2025

Closing Date

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement

It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit their website to learn more.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Quick Link for Internal Postings
https://www.auemployment.com/postings/56743

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Please tell us how you first heard about this opportunity.
   (Open Ended Question)
2. * Please select the answer that best describes your current employment relationship with Auburn University:
   • Current full-time Auburn or AUM employee within probationary period
   • Current full-time Auburn or AUM employee outside of probationary period
   • Current part-time Auburn or AUM employee
   • Not an Auburn or AUM employee
3. * Do you have a Bachelor's degree?
   • Yes
   • No
4. * Do you have 7 years of experience in gift solicitation, development, fundraising, marketing, or portfolio management?
   • Yes
   • No