Executive Gift Planning Officer

Kansas State University Foundation; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & dental insurance

HSA contributions

403(b) with 10% employer match

Paid time off & holidays

Tuition & certification assistance

Wellness reimbursement

Job summary

Kansas State University Foundation is seeking an Executive Gift Planning Officer in Manhattan, KS, onsite. Lead transformational giving, design charitable strategies, and manage donor relationships to advance the university’s mission.

This senior fundraising role requires building trust with donors, navigating complex conversations, and delivering sophisticated gift opportunities with credibility and impact.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of direct, metrics-driven fundraising with portfolio management experience.
• Experience with trusts/estate law, financial planning, or wealth management.
• Proven ability to communicate persuasively with a diverse audience.
• Strong interpersonal skills with active listening and relationship-building.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio and qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $50,000+.
• Develop and execute tailored strategies for each prospect.
• Present planned giving options aligned to donor goals and financial situations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to advance donor strategies.
• Travel to meet donors and build lasting, high-impact relationships.

Skills

Relationship-building

Communication

Donor management

Presentation skills

Negotiation

Job description

Compensation: $100,000-$110,000 annually

Regular, Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Manhattan, KS (onsite only)

Our Promise to You

• Competitive health, dental, life insurance, plus voluntary benefits including company paid HSA contributions
• 403(b) retirement plan with 10% company contribution
• Paid leave for holidays, vacation, wellness, personal, parental, and volunteer
• Tuition and certification assistance and a $300 annual reimbursement wellness program
• A work environment that embraces flexibility inside of a framework
• Mission-driven work that changes the lives of people around the world
• View more benefits on our website or click here!

Lead Transformational Giving as an Executive Gift Planning Officer

Some conversations create opportunities. Others create legacies.

As an Executive Gift Planning Officer, you'll partner with donors, families, and professional advisors to design charitable giving strategies that align personal values with lasting impact. This is an opportunity for a seasoned relationship builder to leverage expertise in estate planning, wealth management, financial planning, or charitable gift strategy while advancing the future of Kansas State University.

In this highly visible role, you'll manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, develop sophisticated gift strategies, and guide conversations involving complex assets, estate planning vehicles, and transformational philanthropic investments. You will collaborate with university leaders, fundraising colleagues, and trusted advisors to cultivate major and planned gifts while serving as a subject matter expert across the organization.

The ideal candidate is an experienced fundraiser who understands how to build trust with donors, navigate complex giving conversations, and inspire philanthropic investment. You bring both the relationship-building skills of a fundraising professional and the technical knowledge needed to discuss sophisticated, planned gift opportunities with confidence and credibility.

What You'll Do

• Manage a portfolio and qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $50,000+
• Develop and execute tailored strategies for each prospect
• Present planned giving options aligned to donor goals and financial situations
• Collaborate with stakeholders to advance donor strategies
• Travel to meet donors and build lasting, high-impact relationships

Requirements

• 3+ years of direct, metrics-driven fundraising experience requiring measurable output, with an emphasis on managing a portfolio of donors and closing gifts
• Transferrable experience in related fields such as trusts and estate law, financial planning, or trust or wealth management
• Experience calling, conducting face-to-face appointments, managing relationships, creating and presenting proposals, and other fundamental elements of client/donor relationship or sales-related activities
• Proven ability to communicate effectively and persuasively with a diverse audience
• Strong interpersonal skills with an emphasis on engaged listening

Bonus Expertise That Sets You Apart

• Professional credentials such as CFP, CPA, CFRE, or JD
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and IRS rulings affecting cash, securities, real estate, and personal property gifts
• Experience in the transactions of real estate including investments, sales, site selection, partnership agreements, market analysis, oil interests, mineral rights, farm property, and land use planning
• Solid understanding of fundraising techniques and systems
• Experience collaborating with attorneys, accountants, financial planners, or wealth management professionals

As an Executive Gift Planning Officer, you'll serve as a trusted philanthropic partner to donors and advisors while helping shape the future of Kansas State University. This role is ideal for a highly successful fundraising professional who thrives on building meaningful donor relationships, developing strategic gift opportunities, and securing transformational support that creates lasting impact.

If you're ready to lead meaningful conversations, develop transformational partnerships, and help donors leave a legacy that changes lives, apply today!