Director of Gift Planning

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Director of Gift Planning for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Reporting to the Executive Director of Gift Planning, the Director of Gift Planning is responsible for the identification, assessment, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of planned gifts that benefit colleges and units across the Knoxville campus. In alignment with the Accountability, Collaboration, Excellence, and Servant Leadership (ACES) pillars of the Office of Advancement, this position provides mission-critical fundraising and administration for the

benefit of the Office of Gift Planning. 

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Identification, Cultivation, and Solicitation of Planned Gifts: Advances planned giving for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the University of Tennessee Foundation by securing planned gift commitments of $50,000 or more through donor identification, assessment, cultivation, strategy development, solicitation, negotiation, stewardship, and engagement. The Executive Director of Gift Planning, in partnership with the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Regional, Gift Planning, and Corporate Philanthropy, sets annual individual and team goals for this role.

Partnership/Collaboration: Works closely with college, unit, and regional Advancement staff, as well as the Executive Director of Gift Planning, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Regional, Gift Planning, and Corporate Philanthropy, and other UTFI and UT colleagues to support the needs of the Advancement operation. Partners with internal stakeholders to develop strategies for identification, assessment, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, and collaborates with Advancement and UTFI colleagues to ensure proper gift commitment documentation and the accurate receipt of estate distributions.

Operations: Leads donor‑centric stewardship and engagement activities for existing planned giving donors, prepares monthly activity reports for the Executive Director of Gift Planning, and develops forecasting projections and strategies for portfolio and proposal assignments.

Required Education and Experience

The candidate who fills the Director of Gift Planning position is required to have:

• Bachelor’s degree.

• 5+ years of experience in a higher education advancement; client-facing roles involving face-to-face relationship development, communicating an organization’s mission and societal impact, and/or fundraising; financial planning and/or investment management; or related work experiences.

A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record is required due to travel responsibilities of the position. UTFI reserves the right to consider all appropriate circumstances.  In general, any significant driving offense less than 12 months old will eliminate the application from consideration for the position.

Note - Candidates holding a graduate degree must have at least 3 years of experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

In addition to meeting the required qualifications, the preferred candidate will have:

• 5+ years of fundraising experience in a higher education environment.

• Demonstrated knowledge of planned giving.

• Excellent telephone demeanor, professional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, and a capacity to build strong relationships with prospective and existing donors.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Teams).

• Experience using Salesforce software or related CRM platforms.

• Possess an analytical mindset, attention to detail, organizational skills, and a capacity to articulate complex financial concepts in writing or verbally.

• Ability and willingness to engage in extensive travel, sometimes for multiple consecutive overnights.

Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before May 13th via our DASH application system. Applications must include a completed candidate profile, cover letter, and resume. Candidates selected to move forward in the evaluation process will be asked to provide contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without explicit permission of the candidate. 

When determining minimum quali