Senior Director of Gift Planning

Job Description

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Gift Planning, the Senior Director of Gift Planning is a senior position in the University’s Gift Planning program offering the opportunity to achieve results both through the management of others as well as through personal solicitation success. It is responsible for increasing the University’s new gifts and commitments coming from bequests, deferred gifts, and complex outright gifts through (1) supervising the program’s early and mid-career gift officers, (2) providing liaison support for select colleges and programs, (3) cultivating, soliciting, and closing a portfolio of donors with a capacity to make a commitment of at least $500,000, (4) leading efforts to provide other Advancement colleagues with appropriately tailored training in order to help all of the division identify planned gift opportunities, (5) coordinating the marketing and lead generation efforts for planned giving initiatives.

The University is gearing up for significant opportunity in the years ahead, as the number of prospective planned gift donors is projected to rise significantly. Gift Planning will be a central part of this anticipated growth. This senior role offers the chance to achieve significant professional success at a leading university in a highly regarded college-town atmosphere.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and related experience to include trusts and estate law practice or accounting practice, wealth management, or charitable gift planning required.

Demonstrated knowledge of legal, estate, tax, financial, and gift planning concepts.

Demonstrated strong communication, organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills.

Demonstrated ability to work within a multifaceted organization requiring collaboration, teamwork, and communication.

Demonstrated experience in charitable gift planning.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree, JD degree or a CPA designation preferred.

Demonstrated knowledge of Virginia Tech, its history, its operations, its current priorities, and its alumni.

Demonstrated fundraising experience at a large university or other large charitable organization.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$140,000 - $155,000

Hours per week

40+ hours per week

Review Date

January, 11th 2026

Additional Information

This position requires occasional travel and work hours that includes evenings/weekends.

Unable to Sponsor Work Visas

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a