Director of Planned Giving

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close and nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship, and practice. At Pacific University, we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove and Hillsboro. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, and acquire and share knowledge. Salary Range: $100,000 - $135,000 Reports to: AVP for Development GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION: he Director of Planned Giving is responsible for leading Pacific University's planned giving strategy and personally securing major, planned, and blended gifts in support of the university's philanthropic priorities. This role manages a portfolio of donors and prospects, advances major gift and gift planning conversations across the donor continuum, and partners closely with major gift officers to integrate planned giving into comprehensive fundraising strategies. The Director provides technical expertise in gift planning and helps grow long-term, sustainable philanthropic support for the university. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: * Manage a portfolio of major gift, planned giving, and blended-gift prospects and donors, securing new major gifts, documented planned gifts, and blended commitments in alignment with university priorities. * Proactively identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and planned giving prospects through meaningful donor engagement, including personal visits, calls, and written communications. * Serve as the university's subject-matter expert on planned giving vehicles (e.g., bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, beneficiary designations, and complex assets) and provide guidance to donors, colleagues, and professional advisors. Institutional Policy Leadership: Author and maintain the University's Gift Acceptance Policies, ensuring all deferred and complex gift instruments comply with state and federal regulations, IRS guidelines, and CASE standards. * Strategic Growth & Forecasting: Develop long-term revenue projections and maturity pipelines for the University's expectancy pool; provide executive-level briefings to the VP of Advancement and the Board of Trustees on the health of the planned giving portfolio. * Risk Management: Serve as the primary liaison to University Legal Counsel and the Business Office to oversee the settlement of estates and the liquidation of complex assets (e.g., real estate, closely-held stock, or partnership interests). * Fiduciary Oversight: Oversee the administration of the University's Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) program and Pooled Income Funds, ensuring appropriate reserve levels and timely payments to beneficiaries. * Programmatic Leadership: Lead the design and expansion of the Legacy Society, creating a high-level stewardship ecosystem that secures the University's long-term endowment. * Cross-Functional Integration: Direct the "Blended Gift" training program for all frontline fundraisers, establishing the protocols for how deferred gifts are valued and credited during comprehensive campaigns. * Develop and implement strategies to integrate planned giving into major gift fundraising, partnering with frontline gift officers to advance blended gift opportunities. Monitor, steward, and administer planned gifts and expectancies in coordination with Advancement Services, Finance, and legal counsel as appropriate. * Maintain accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions, plans, and gift intentions in the CRM/prospect management system. SECONDARY FUNCTIONS: * Contribute to the strategic direction and annual goals of the major gifs and planned giving program, including pipeline development and long-term revenue projections. * Support the development and execution of planned giving marketing, communications, and donor education initiatives. * Serve as a resource to campus partners and leadership on gift planning opportunities aligned with institutional priorities. * Participate as a collaborative member of the University Advancement team, supporting campus-wide engagement efforts as needed. * Follow budget guidelines related to donor engagement and gift planning activities. * Other duties as assigned. JOB SCOPE: The Director of Planned Giving is accountable for the performance and execution of Pacific University's planned giving program and for personally securing planned and blended gifts. This role owns the planned giving strategy, serves as the primary internal expert on gift planning, and ensures planned giving is fully integrated into major gift fundraising and long-term donor strategies. Scope of Work: * Own the planned giving program strategy, annual priorities, and pipeline development. * Personally manage and close planned and blended gifts, including more complex gift structures. * Serve as the university's lead resource for gift planning expertise and strategy support for frontline fundraisers. * Drive the integration of planned giving into major and principal gift portfolios and solicitations. * Ensure accurate documentation, stewardship coordination, and effective handoff of planned gifts across Advancement Services and Finance. SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY: * Occasional Oversight: This position may provide occasional guidance or task specific oversight to student workers, interns, or temporary staff.

Created: 2026-04-15