Director, Gift Planning and Complex Assets University Advancement

Wake Forest University; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Wake Forest University is seeking a Director of Gift Planning and Complex Assets to serve as the university’s resource for sophisticated charitable planning and complex gift opportunities. The role blends philanthropic strategy with financial and asset expertise to advance Wake Forest’s priorities and donor goals.

The director advises donors and their advisors, partners with frontline fundraisers, and leads the design, due diligence, and completion of complex gifts, including real estate,

Responsibilities

• Serves as a trusted advisor to donors and their professional advisors, helping them explore sophisticated charitable planning strategies that align their objectives.
• Partners with frontline fundraisers to develop individualized strategies for complex and planned gifts, particularly among Wake Forest’s highest-capacity prospects.
• Serves as a strategic philanthropic advisor and technical expert on planned and complex gift scenarios.
• Develops cultivation and solicitation strategies for prospective donors.
• Translates complex financial, legal, and tax considerations into clear, donor-centered recommendations and opportunities.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with donors, attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, estate planners, and other professionals.
• Develops and executes a marketing plan to help prospective donors think about how they might achieve their philanthropic goals with a focus on life income gifts and other complex gift arrangements.

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Director, Gift Planning and Complex Assets serves as Wake Forest University’s resource for sophisticated charitable planning and complex gift opportunities. This position brings together philanthropic strategy, financial and asset expertise, and donor relationship management to help achieve charitable goals while advancing Wake Forest’s institutional priorities.

Working closely with donors, professional advisors, and frontline development officers, the Director provides counsel on complex and advanced charitable giving strategies and helps transform sophisticated assets into meaningful philanthropic opportunities. The Director plays an active role throughout the gift development process—from identifying opportunities and developing donor strategies to structuring gifts, facilitating due diligence, and successfully completing complex transactions.

The Director will proactively identify opportunities for complex and planned gifts, serving as a partner for development officers across University Advancement. The position will also help strengthen Wake Forest’s culture and capacity for sophisticated gift planning through education, consultation, market development, and collaboration.

The Director brings expertise across a broad range of assets and charitable vehicles, including real estate, trusts, annuities, bequests, artwork, closely held business interests, restricted securities, and other complex assets. The position works closely with Finance and Accounting Services, the Office of General Counsel, donors, and their professional advisors to ensure that complex gifts are thoughtfully structured, appropriately evaluated, and aligned with University policy and applicable regulations.

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.

Job Description

Essential Functions

• Serves as a trusted advisor to donors and their professional advisors, helping them explore sophisticated
  charitable planning strategies that align their philanthropic, financial, and personal objectives.

• Partners with frontline fundraisers to develop individualized strategies for complex and planned gifts,
  particularly among Wake Forest’s highest-capacity prospects and donors.

• Serves as a strategic philanthropic advisor and technical expert on planned and complex gift scenarios.

• Develops cultivation and solicitation strategies for prospective donors.

• Translates complex financial, legal, and tax considerations into clear, donor-centered recommendations
  and opportunities.

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with donors, attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, estate
  planners, and other professional advisors.

• Develops and executes a marketing plan to help prospective donors think about how they might achieve
  their philanthropic goals with a focus on life income gifts and other complex gift arrangements.