Director, Major & Planned Gifts

University of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Houston is hiring an Assistant, Associate, or Director of Development- Estate & Gift Planning to advance major gifts initiatives across university-wide priorities. This role manages a portfolio of donors and prospects, guiding complex gift strategies and collaborating with faculty and staff.

Responsibilities include developing and executing gift plans, cultivating relationships, and coordinating with finance and legal teams to optimize estate and planned giving.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• 5-7 years of professional fundraising or related experience.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with the public in a wide variety of settings.
• Deep knowledge of gift planning arrangements and industry best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships with all constituencies including donors, senior leaders, direct reports, employees, volunteers, board members, and community and business leaders.
• Documented history of success in facilitating, closing and securing deferred gifts.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once.
• Demonstrated advanced writing skills that produce clear, accurate, and detailed communications.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior member of the Gift and Estate Planning team, providing expertise in deferred and complex gift matters.
• Participate in the creation and implementation of marketing strategies, with internal and external partners and vendors.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit current and prospective donors.
• Manage a personal portfolio of major and principal gift prospects.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement planned giving strategies with donors and development officers to structure lifetime, blended and deferred gift arrangements.
• Provide technical expertise, guidance and supervision to system staff on estate planning options.
• Collaborate with finance, legal and advancement teams to enhance gift planning operations and support fundraising efforts.
• Maintain current knowledge of gift planning methods. Serve as subject matter expert for internal staff.
• Promote positive donor relations and stewardship.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The University of Houston is hiring an Assistant, Associate, or Director of Development- Estate & Gift Planning to advance major gifts initiatives across university-wide priorities. This role manages a portfolio of donors and prospects, guiding complex gift strategies and collaborating with faculty and staff.

Responsibilities include developing and executing gift plans, cultivating relationships, and coordinating with finance and legal teams to optimize estate and planned giving.