Director of Gift and Estate Planning

Job Posting Title:

Director of Gift and Estate Planning

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Hiring Department:

University Development Office

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Mar 06, 2024

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

About The University of Texas at Austin

What starts here changes the world.

The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, ranks among the 40 best universities in the world with top national programs across 19 colleges and schools. By creating educational opportunities for all and leading cutting-edge research at scale, the University fosters positive social change, technological advancement, and economic progress showing the world that change really does start here.

Following our 10-year strategic plan, UT will become the world’s highest-impact public research university, unleashing knowledge, opportunity and innovation from the heart of Texas.

Learn more about UT’s mission and values , leadership and Change Starts Here strategic plan .

Why Join Texas Development?

The University of Texas at Austin is on the front lines of the future: sparking the imagination, driving discovery and transforming lives. And it’s only possible because generous supporters believe in the power and promise of our state’s flagship university to change the world.

Together, through one of the largest fundraising efforts in our state’s history, we will support our people, amplify the unmatched potential of our place, and lead innovation through world-changing pursuits. With nearly $5 billion raised over the past six years, Texas Development is quickly becoming one of the best fundraising programs in higher education.

Texas Development is a dynamic community of more than 450 fundraising professionals across the Forty Acres. We strive to reach the highest levels of achievement and success in all that we do by creating meaningful and powerful experiences for our donors.

Join us and change the world .

Benefits

The University provides a competitive benefits package that includes insurance and retirement benefits in addition to other programs and services.

• Competitive health benefits (Employee premiums covered at 100%; family premiums at 50%) 
• Vision, dental, life, and disability insurance options 
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays 
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas (a defined benefit retirement plan) 
• Additional voluntary retirement programs: tax sheltered annuity 403(b) and a deferred compensation program 457(b) 
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses 
• Training and conference opportunities 
• Tuition assistance 
• Athletic ticket discounts 
• Access to UT Austin’s libraries and museums 
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Capital Metro buses with staff ID card 

Texas Development supports growth by offering professional development opportunities that help every team member accomplish their goals, enrich their skill set and deepen their engagement with UT.

Purpose

To serve as a Director of Gift and Estate Planning providing guidance to donors, prospects and their advisors, and colleagues on planned giving strategies and techniques for completing significant charitable gifts at the $1,000,000 and above level. This role will specifically support the UT School of Law and successful candidates will work closely with the School of Law development staff and faculty.

UT’s Gift and Estate Planning team is responsible for raising $1B in new planned gifts during the What Start Here campaign, and has set a goal of becoming the biggest and best gift planning operation in public higher education. Texas Development currently has over 1.2 million prospects and over 500,000 alumni. Successful candidates will have a demonstrated track record of engaging donors and donor prospects at scale; a proven ability to bring creativity, curiosity, and boldness to this groundbreaking program; and comfort working within a complex organization

Responsibilities

• Maintain an understanding of the priorities, vision and mission of the university and the UT School of Law.

• Build and carry an active portfolio of 50-100 prospective donors.

• Engage in qualification, strategy, relationship-building and closing of planned gifts for the UT School of Law.

• Beginning 36 months from start date, consistently produce $5-10M+ per year.

• Participate in a minimum number of 80-150 visits annually while cultivating prospects for future solicitation.

• Participate in goal setting, proposal preparation, strategy development, and stewardship as required for donors in the portfolio.

• Provide analysis and make recommendations regarding the strategies to be utilized in the solicitation of funds from planned gift prospects.

• Effectively work with, communicate and collaborate with faculty, academic leaders, and other development staff and volunteers to develop campus-wide funding opportunities to reach campaign goals.

• Successfully and consistently deliver funding proposals to prospective and current donors. Ask for gifts both personally or as part of a team, as in facilitating solicitations of prospects by volunteers and academic leaders

• Utilize a fundraising database and prospecting tools. Maintain appropriate electronic documentation on a timely basis, including engagement activities, proposal tracking, contact reports, donor strategies and forecasting.

• Record timely reports, letters, proposals, or gift agreements following a donor contact.

• Work collaboratively, proactively, and in a professional, service-oriented manner with all University development officers to further the development goals of the University.

• Participate in education workshops on gift planning to university-wide development colleagues, planning for special events, and marketing of planned gifts.

• Travel throughout the United States and around the globe representing the college and supporting the Chief Development Officer as they build relationships with donors, prospects and alumni.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of experience in positions that involve planned gift fundraising, major gift fundraising work, estate planning, financial advising or wealth management.

• Demonstrated ability to execute successful full-cycle donor strategy. This includes a proven and measurable track record of making appointments with new prospects, successful face-to-face solicitation, negotiation, and closure of high six-figure and seven-figure outright, blended and/or testamentary gifts.

• High degree of emotional intelligence.

• Demonstrated ability to show tenacity and be nimble.

• Ability to drive results.

• Highly effective communication skills (written, verbal, interpersonal).

• Ability to think strategically and creatively and work well under pressure.

• Project management skills.

• Capable of working independently, while also engaging in collaboration between teams.

• Ability to travel frequently to visit prospects and donors.

• Ability to use discretion and maintain integrity and professionalism.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• More than the required years of experience and education.

• Experience in gift planning or fundraising in a complex higher education environment or a non-profit.

• Experience with creating and communicating gift illustrations and recommendations to donors.

• Experience making presentations to large, varied groups.

• Experience accepting gifts of real estate, securities, closely-held stock, art and collectibles.

• Knowledge of the Texas philanthropic market.

• Experience working with attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors.

• Preference for candidates with a law degree and/or experience in estate planning, or as a financial planner, CPA or trust officer.

Salary Range

$115,000+ depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Typical office with hybrid/flex environment.

• Must be able to travel frequently, overnight, and weekends as necessary.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer , complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031 .

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.