The University of Virginia (UVA) seeks highly qualified candidates for the position of Senior Associate Director of Gift Planning. UVA has a strong and reputable advancement community, boasting effective, results-oriented, and resourceful professionals. Our community comprises a robust central advancement organization, 12 University schools, and more than 25 University-related programs. We offer a wide variety of career opportunities, as well as an outstanding environment for professional growth and development. 

Position Summary 

The Senior Associate Director will be responsible for managing a portfolio of planned giving prospects and developing a comprehensive solicitation and stewardship strategy for the portfolio and any assigned University partners. The Senior Associate Director will increase the University’s ability to accept deferred and outright gifts of non-cash assets in a timely and professional manner. The Senior Associate Director will convey charitable gift options to donors, their advisors, and development colleagues in a professional, easy-to-understand manner that reflects a working understanding of tax, legal, or financial planning considerations. 

The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of planned giving vehicles and strategies, with experience in planned gifts funded with non-cash assets, as well as knowledge of charitable gift and tax laws and estate planning techniques. The individual holding this position will partner with planned giving fundraisers and major and principal gift fundraisers across UVA to increase philanthropic support for the University of Virginia at the highest levels. This partnership will include integrating gift planning programs with other development functions by educating development colleagues about planned giving, coordinating with colleagues on planned and blended giving strategies, and conducting joint donor visits. Additionally, the individual holding this position will participate in developing strategies to promote the continued success of gift planning at the University. This position reports to the Executive Director of Gift Planning. 

Responsibilities 

Work with fundraisers across Grounds on all types of planned gifts, including bequests, beneficiary designations, life income gifts, and outright gifts of non-cash assets. 

Provide timely, accurate advice and expertise to the University’s fundraising community, its donors, and professional advisors. Perform research and analysis on questions relating to planned giving and advise colleagues of relevant issues. Work closely with donors and their advisors to structure lifetime and testamentary plans to benefit the University.  

Develop prospect portfolios of potential individual donors, cultivating and soliciting gifts primarily for $100,000 and above.  

Cultivate relationships and assist in planning major outright and deferred gifts to the University. 

Create and implement cultivation structures that include prospect strategies, development and preparation of written materials, design and implementation of cultivation events, direct solicitation, and solicitation in tandem with volunteers and other staff. 

Travel as needed to assist with and carry forward new and existing gift conversations. Candidates should expect to conduct 100+ visits annually, including qualification visits, with a preference for in-person visits. 

Mentor and develop Gift Planning and other development officers in gift planning knowledge. 

Periodic in-office presence to conduct in-person meetings and educational programming for the University’s fundraising community.  

In addition to the above-listed responsibilities, other duties may be assigned. 
 

Minimum Qualifications 

Education: Bachelor’s degree 

Experience: Some experience in finance, law, or estate planning.

Valid driver’s license 

Preferred Qualifications 

Track record of demonstrating a high degree of initiative, flexibility and the skills to shape and be shaped by an evolving position. 

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, a high degree of personal integrity, and attention to detail. 

Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with major gifts prospects, fundraising colleagues, academic leaders, faculty, alumni, and volunteers. 

Prior experience in legal practice and/or higher education gift planning fundraising. 

Physical Demands 

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does require traveling some distance to attend meetings and programs. The successful candidate must be able to travel frequently and be available for occasional evening and weekend work. 

Salary Range 

The anticipated hiring range is $95,000–$117,000, commensurate with education and experience. 

Position Type & Work Location 

This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits. 

This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability. 

UVA Advancement offers a flexible and hybrid workplace. All team members must have access to and maintain a secure home office environment with high-speed internet service and work collaboratively with others using a variety of technologies and tools. This position will be required to work intermittently in our office building located in Charlottesville, Virginia. Although this position is eligible to work remotely, the incumbent should live within driving distance of Charlottesville to facilitate frequent visits to UVA Grounds. 

About UVA and the Community 

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA. 

Application Timeline 

Application review will begin after August 4, 2025. 

Additional Requirements  

Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment. 

This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future. 

How to Apply  

Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0074917. Complete an application with the following documents:   

Resume  

Cover Letter 

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration. 

Internal applicants: Apply through your Workday profile by searching “Find Jobs.” 

Reference Check Process  

Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.  

Contact 

For questions about the position, please contact April Sibiski, at nbu2ag@virginia.edu. 

For questions about the application process, please contact Jon Freeman, jf2sw@virginia.edu. 

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.