Executive Director of Gift Planning (opens in new tab)

CASE international; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

North Carolina State University invites an Executive Director of Gift Planning to guide a campus-wide gift planning program within University Advancement. You will align strategy with fundraising priorities, manage complex gifts, and partner with legal, financial, and unit stakeholders to steward commitments.

You will lead a high-performing team, oversee marketing and analytics, and develop education and proposals to grow the donor pipeline while maintaining compliance and service standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; 8+ years in institutional advancement or related field.
• Deep knowledge of estate planning vehicles and gift planning strategies.
• Proven track record securing significant planned gift commitments and complex discussions.
• Ability to lead, develop, and inspire high-performing teams.
• Strong relationship-building across a large organization with faculty and staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for varied audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a campus-wide gift planning strategy.
• Lead and develop a high-performing gift planning team with performance management.
• Align gift planning with fundraising priorities and university goals.
• Oversee estates and complex gifts with legal and financial partners.
• Provide training on planned giving concepts to advancement staff.
• Track KPIs and report progress to senior leadership.

Skills

Gift planning expertise

Strategic leadership

Team development

Stakeholder engagement

Policy & compliance knowledge

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

Donor databases

Planned giving software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Essential Job Duties

Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for University Development, the Executive Director of Gift Planning serves as the university's senior leader for gift planning, providing strategic direction, oversight, and execution of a comprehensive, campus-wide program. The Executive Director partners across University Advancement to integrate gift planning into fundraising strategy, supports complex and deferred gifts, and ensures alignment with institutional priorities and industry best practices.

Develop a broad strategic plan for an integrated, proactive gift planning program:

• Lead and manage a comprehensive, proactive gift planning program serving all colleges and units, focused on expanding and sustaining the pipeline of active prospects through effective strategy, operations, and performance metrics
• Develop and implement strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gift planning prospects, including active portfolio management
• Establish and refine policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure high-quality donor service, compliance, and effective administration of planned and complex gifts
• Oversee the full lifecycle of planned gifts, including estates, and partner with legal, financial, and internal stakeholders to secure and steward commitments
• Serve as a subject matter expert on complex and deferred gift strategies and advise on best practices across Advancement

Lead and develop a high-performing gift planning team and drive strategic collaboration across advancement and the university:

• Lead, supervise, and develop gift planning staff, including performance management, recruitment, and professional growth
• Oversee team operations, including marketing, training, analytics, and stewardship activities, ensuring alignment with program goals
• Develop customized proposals and work with advisors as necessary
• Build effective relationships with volunteers and staff to cultivate prospects, write proposals, visit prospects and help to close gifts; ensure that gift planning opportunities are included in all appropriate solicitation strategies
• Provide training and guidance to advancement staff on planned giving concepts and opportunities
• Evaluate program effectiveness, track key performance indicators, and adjust strategies to strengthen outcomes
• Prepare and present regular reports to Advancement leadership, including the Vice Chancellor and college/unit leaders

Based on a clear understanding of the mission of University Advancement, increase awareness of NC State’s gift planning opportunities:

• Collaborate with colleges, units, and affiliated foundations to align gift planning with institutional priorities and fundraising initiatives
• Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing, communications, and stewardship strategy to increase awareness and engagement
• Create and deliver educational programming for staff, donors, alumni, and volunteers to expand the pipeline of gift planning prospects
• Prepare and present reports and strategic insights to Advancement leadership to inform decision-making and campaign planning
• Represent Gift Planning and Advancement in internal and external settings and maintain active engagement with industry trends and professional organizations

About the University & Department

North Carolina State University was founded in 1887 with the purpose of creating economic, societal and intellectual prosperity for the people of North Carolina. Today, NC State is the largest university in North Carolina, with more than 40,500 high-performing students, more than 10,000 preeminent faculty and staff, and more than 310,000 dedicated alumni.

As a Carnegie Research One (R1) institution, NC State is recognized for leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while also excelling in agriculture, business, design, education, humanities and social sciences, natural resources, textiles, and veterinary medicine. The university is consistently recognized as one of the nation's best values in higher education, and many academic programs rank among the best in their disciplines.

The mission of University Advancement is to amplify NC State's local and global impact by nurturing lifelong relationships, championing philanthropy, and strengthening the Wolfpack community. The division includes six collaborative teams:

• Advancement Services
• Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving
• Finance, Administration and Talent Management
• Principal Gifts Program
• University Development
• University Special Events and Experiences

Together, these teams create a best-in-class experience for alumni, friends, and donors while advancing the university's strategic priorities.

Within University Advancement, University Development raises philanthropic support for university-wide priorities benefiting NC State’s students, faculty, campus, and the people of North Carolina. The department includes Central Major Gifts, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Development Communications and Stewardship, Gift Planning, and Prospect Development.

NC State fosters a collaborative, supportive, and collegial culture while investing in professional development and personalized career growth. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, the university offers the opportunity to build a meaningful career while making a lasting impact on one of the nation's leading public research universities.

Education & Experience:

Requires a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
8 or more years of progressive experience in institutional advancement or a related field.
A proven track record of excellent knowledge of the legal and tax regulations governing charitable gift planning.

Department Required Skills:

• Deep knowledge of estate planning vehicles and gift planning strategies, including wills, trusts, life income gifts, and related tax considerations.
• Demonstrated success in securing significant planned gift commitments and participating in complex gift discussions.
• Ability to synthesize complex donor, financial, and institutional information to develop and execute effective gift planning strategies.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire high-performing teams, including coaching, performance management, and staff development.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust-based, effective partnerships across a large, complex organization, including with faculty, administrators, and development colleagues.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage, influence, and steward high-level donors, volunteers, and advisors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex gift planning concepts to varied audiences.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and organizational abilities, with capacity to manage multiple priorities in a high-volume environment.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism, with sound judgment in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented leader with a high level of initiative, creativity, and accountability.
• Ability to effectively utilize donor databases, planned giving software, and Microsoft Office tools to support program goals.
• Willingness to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed to support donor engagement and program objectives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supervising other personnel.
• Experience in law, accounting, financial planning, or trust/estate administration.
• Knowledge of best practices in charitable gift planning as evidenced by presentations, publications, or experience in a high-performing gift planning office.

Hybrid Work at NC State:

NC State University supports flexible hybrid work arrangements where operationally appropriate. Schedules are based on the responsibilities of the position and business needs and are determined in partnership with the hiring manager.