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Employment Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Vacancy ID: NF0009345

Salary Range: Based on qualifications/experience, internal equity, and departmental budget restrictions

Position Summary/Description:

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

The Executive Director of Gift Planning will serve as a key partner to colleagues across campus and play a transformative role in shaping the future of philanthropy at the nation’s first public university. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Development – Individual Giving, the Executive Director will lead a highly functioning development team within the award-winning Office of University Development, collaborating with nearly 150 development officers across the university to expand the reach and impact of planned giving. The successful candidate will be expected to significantly grow the acceptance of planned gifts over the next five years, helping to secure Carolina’s future and ensuring its ability to serve students, faculty, and communities for generations to come.

This senior leader will set ambitious goals and drive growth through an innovative fundraising program, strengthened donor cultivation and stewardship, and a comprehensive marketing strategy for both internal and external audiences. The Executive Director will work hand in hand with deans, campus leaders, and development colleagues to build lasting philanthropic partnerships and maximize planned giving opportunities. The role also carries responsibility for providing strategic oversight of the UNC Life Income program, the UNC -Chapel Hill Foundation’s portfolio of life insurance gifts, and the University’s inventory of probated estates.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a visionary, collaborative leader to build on Carolina’s strong tradition of philanthropy and shape the legacy of one of the world’s leading public research universities.

Education and Experience:

* Extensive Leadership Experience: 12-15 years of progressive advancement, planned giving, estate planning, or related development experience, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership or executive role.

* Track Record of Results: Demonstrated history of significantly increasing planned giving revenue and growing donor participation in complex gift vehicles at a large, complex institution, ideally within higher education or a similarly mission-driven nonprofit environment.

* Sophisticated Technical Expertise: Advanced knowledge of charitable estate planning, life income arrangements, complex assets, and tax implications, with the ability to guide high-net-worth donors and their advisors through multi-layered philanthropic discussions.

* Cross-Disciplinary Professional Background: Experience working in or closely with the legal, financial, or wealth management industries (e.g., estate planning attorney, financial advisor, CPA , or related profession), providing strong credibility in technical conversations about planned gifts.

* Strategic Visionary Leadership: Proven ability to set long-term strategic direction, inspire and develop professional teams, and build collaborative, high-performing partnerships across a decentralized organization.

* Major Public University or Comparable Experience: Direct familiarity with the culture, scale, and complexity of a leading public research university, or a similarly large, multifaceted nonprofit or healthcare system.

* Advanced Education and Credentials: An advanced degree (such as J.D., MBA , or master’s in management) or relevant certifications such as CAP (Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy), CFP (Certified Financial Planner), or CPA , is preferred.

* National Thought Leadership: Recognition as a thought leader or active participant in professional associations such as the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, with a visible record of presenting, publishing, or contributing to the field.

* Proficiency with advancement databases, prospect management tools, and gift planning software preferred.

Essential Skills:

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully soliciting and closing charitable planned gifts, along with a deep knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations governing estate planning, with a particular emphasis on charitable planning. Candidates should bring significant experience in, or strong preparation for, leading, managing, and inspiring a highly functioning gift planning team within a complex organization.

In addition, leading candidates will demonstrate:

* A thorough knowledge of and appreciation for the unique mission and role of a major public research university.

* The ability to work both independently and collaboratively to set and achieve ambitious goals, while building strong partnerships with development staff, academic leadership, volunteers, donors, prospects, faculty, and staff across a large and complex institution.

* Superior interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial and philanthropic concepts into accessible language for diverse audiences.

* Strong fiscal and administrative management skills, with accountability for budgets, policies, and compliance.

* Strategic thinking with the capacity to anticipate opportunities and challenges, take appropriate initiative, and innovate solutions that advance fundraising goals.

* Demonstrated ability to inspire trust, motivate colleagues, and cultivate a culture of collaboration and excellence.

* High energy, professionalism, integrity, and a deep commitment to advancing philanthropy.

* A strong track record of donor cultivation and stewardship, with an ability to engage high-net-worth individuals and families in complex gift discussions.

* Experience building cross-campus collaborations that strengthen planned giving outcomes and broaden donor engagement.

AA/EEO Statement:

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.