Director of Estate and Planned Giving - University of the Pacific

About the role

The Director of Estate and Gift Planning will lead University of the Pacific’s comprehensive estate and gift planning program through frontline fundraising, program administration, strategic marketing, donor stewardship, and collaborative partnership across University Development.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of estate and gift planning prospects and donors, advancing relationships through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and closure.
• Secure documented planned gift commitments through personal outreach and in partnership with development officers.
• Structure and facilitate gifts that may include bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, IRA and insurance beneficiary designations, qualified charitable distributions, gifts of appreciated assets, and other planned giving vehicles.
• Develop and implement an annual Estate and Gift Planning plan with measurable fundraising, marketing, stewardship, donor engagement, and pipeline development goals.
• Create timely and compelling gift proposals, donor correspondence, briefing materials, contact reports, gift illustrations, and stewardship communications.
• Educate colleagues on charitable gift planning strategies and emerging opportunities.
• Collaborate with donors and their legal, financial, and tax advisors to facilitate complex and meaningful charitable gifts.
• Manage the department’s operating budget, monitor performance, maintain accurate records, and ensure compliance with university policies, gift acceptance procedures, and applicable legal and ethical standards.
• Partner with Donor Relations to recognize and steward members of Pacific’s Heritage Society.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, advancement, estate planning, wealth management, financial services, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and/or planned gifts.
• Experience managing a donor portfolio and building relationships with donors and prospective donors.
• Experience supervising staff or leading cross-functional projects or initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education fundraising or advancement.
• Demonstrated success securing deferred, blended, and complex charitable gifts.
• Experience collaborating with attorneys, accountants, financial planners, and other professional advisors.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT, Blackbaud CRM, or a comparable donor management system.
• Experience using planned giving marketing platforms such as Stelter or similar solutions.
• Knowledge of charitable gift planning vehicles, estate planning principles, and current trends affecting philanthropic giving.
• Experience developing planned giving marketing initiatives, donor stewardship programs, and collaborative fundraising strategies.
• A positive, collaborative approach and demonstrated success working with diverse populations.
• A commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming work environment.

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $110,000–$130,000. Final compensation will be determined based on the scope and responsibilities of the position, the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience, internal equity, and market and organizational considerations.

University of the Pacific offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees’ health, financial well-being, and professional growth. Eligible employees receive:

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Employer retirement contributions of up to 10%.
• Generous paid holidays and vacation.
• Tuition remission and tuition exchange programs.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Wellness resources.
• Employee Assistance Program.

Learn more about Pacific’s benefits: https://issuu.com/pacificreview/docs/2026_pacific_benefit_guide