Director, Complex Gifts, University Advancement

Wake Forest University; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem is seeking a Director of Complex Gifts to provide expert counsel on non-cash gifts and lead efforts to identify, cultivate, and secure complex assets such as real estate, artwork, trusts, and restricted securities.

The role partners across Advancement and campus offices, educating donors and staff, ensuring compliance with IRS rules and the university Gift Acceptance Policy, and supervising the Complex Gift Administrator.

Qualifications

• Seven years of experience in higher education fundraising or financial services with complex assets.
• Strong understanding of tax implications and legal considerations for non-cash gifts.
• Experience with real estate, trusts, annuities, art, closely held business interests, and restricted stock.

Responsibilities

• Serve as subject matter expert on complex assets and evaluate feasibility of gifts.
• Collaborate with gift officers to educate donors about non-cash giving opportunities.
• Provide training on non-cash assets to development staff.
• Develop and maintain reference materials on charitable giving vehicles and tax matters.
• Create and implement marketing plans to educate constituents about complex gifts.

Skills

Fundraising expertise

Relationship building

Cross-functional collaboration

IRS tax knowledge

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

JD/CPA/CFP (preferred)

Tools

PG Calc

Blackbaud CRM

GiveCampus Gift Officer

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Director of Complex Gifts provides expert counsel regarding non-cash gifts to University Advancement staff, current and potential donors, and their professional advisors. The Director will lead efforts in identifying, cultivating, and securing non-cash gifts such as real estate, artwork, closely held business interests, restricted securities, and other complex assets.

• This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.
• Applications for this position will be accepted through 11:59 PM, EST on September 13, 2026.

Job Description

Essential Functions

• Becomes Wake Forest’s subject matter expert on complex assets, evaluate potential gifts for feasibility including income potential and risk, and ensure alignment with the University’s Gift Acceptance Policy.
• Working across teams, partners with gift officers to educate potential donors about giving opportunities using non-cash assets.
• Provides training and ongoing education to development staff on non-cash assets and donor conversations about complex gifts.
• Develops an internal library of material about charitable giving vehicles, giving trends, and state and federal tax legislative matters.
• Develops and executes marketing plans to educate Wake Forest constituents about non-cash giving and complex gift opportunities.
• Facilitates due diligence of potentially viable non-cash gifts.
• Assists fundraising staff in University Advancement, Athletic Advancement, Reynolda House, and WFDD with non-standard donor inquiries and requests.
• Participates in joint solicitations and strategy sessions with gift officers for high-capacity donors.
• Partners with donors and their professional advisors to structure gifts effectively.
• Proactively provides guidance and technical support to gift officers.
• Helps gift officers identify complex gift opportunities within their portfolios and develop strategies for solicitation.
• Serves as a liaison to the Finance and Accounting Services Office and the Office of the General Counsel on issues of complex assets, asset liquidation, and recording and reporting.
• Ensures complex gift compliance with IRS regulations and the University’s Gift Acceptance Policy.
• Manages relationships with life-income gift donors.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of seven years of experience in higher education fundraising, non-profit fundraising, or financial services with a focus on complex, non-cash assets.
• Strong understanding of tax implications and legal considerations relative to non-cash gifts
• Strong understanding of complex gift types including, but not limited to, real estate, trusts, bequests, annuities, art, closely held business interests, and restricted stock.
• Excellent relationship-building skills
• Ability to work effectively across a variety of teams and functions.
• Broad understanding of and experience with customer relationship management and project management tools.
• Strong customer service orientation, experience and follow through.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people and skill levels.
• Excellent logical, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• High degree of self-motivation.
• Respect for the dignity and abilities of all people.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• JD, CPA, or CFP designation
• Familiarity and facility with PG Calc, Blackbaud CRM, GiveCampus Gift Officer
• Familiarity with CASE International Reporting Standards.

Accountabilities

• Directly supervises the following positions:
  • Complex Gift Administrator
• Responsible for own work.

Physical Requirements And Environmental Conditions

Sedentary work primarily involving sitting/standing; communicating with others to exchange information; repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; and assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned. No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Note:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by the employee’s supervisor.

Time Type Requirement

Full time

Note To Applicant

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] or [phone].