What are the responsibilities and job description for the Philanthropy Officer Sr - Planned Giving position at Inside Higher Ed?
Job Title
Philanthropy Officer Sr - Planned Giving
Requisition Number
RE54607
Working Title
Director of Gift Planning
Department Name
14000:Office Of Philanthropy
Work Location:
Lexington, KY
Grade Level
49
Salary Range
$72,405-119,496/year
Type Of Position
Staff
Position Time Status
Full-Time
Required Education
BA
Click here for more information about equivalencies::
https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience
7 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification
None
Physical Requirements
Effectively communicating with individuals from varied backgrounds and professional levels. Must have ability to travel throughout Kentucky and the U.S. for donor visits.
Shift
Typically Days; Monday-Friday; 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.; and some evenings and weekends.
Job Summary
The University of Kentucky Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement Office is seeking creative, professional, and entrepreneurial candidates for its Director of Gift Planning position. The Director will join a successful and growing team of philanthropy professionals at one of the leading higher education institutions in the nation.
This role will oversee and drive strategic initiatives aimed at fostering planned and recurring major gifts in alignment with the University’s priority objectives. The ideal candidate will be responsible for curating and managing a portfolio comprising 75-90 top current and potential planned gift donors. They will skillfully negotiate and refine proposals tailored to meet donors’ preferences, adhering to relevant University guidelines, tax regulations, and trust/probate laws, with a primary focus on cultivating “blended gifts.”
Beyond donor engagement, this role will play a pivotal role in devising prospect strategies within the realm of gift and estate planning, fostering collaboration with philanthropy team members, deans, directors, and faculty. They will contribute to the creation of targeted and strategic communications aimed at boosting planned gift contributions to the University of Kentucky and nurturing existing commitments.
Moreover, the incumbent will provide leadership and guidance to colleagues within the office and across campus, steering the implementation of University-wide Planned Giving development strategies and setting ambitious fundraising objectives.The culture within the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) is built on our shared core values CoMMIT– Collaboration, Communication, Mission Driven, Mutual Respect, Innovation and Transparency.
By applying for a position within UK PAE, you are indicating your commitment and expressing your agreement to our six values. It is important you share these values in order to be part of our committed team!
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Good communication skills, attention to detail and able to work independently.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? :
No
Preferred Education/Experience
Preferred experience with planned giving gift administration, cultivation and solicitation.
Deadline To Apply
06/15/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Philanthropy Officer Sr - Planned Giving
Requisition Number
RE54607
Working Title
Director of Gift Planning
Department Name
14000:Office Of Philanthropy
Work Location:
Lexington, KY
Grade Level
49
Salary Range
$72,405-119,496/year
Type Of Position
Staff
Position Time Status
Full-Time
Required Education
BA
Click here for more information about equivalencies::
https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience
7 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification
None
Physical Requirements
Effectively communicating with individuals from varied backgrounds and professional levels. Must have ability to travel throughout Kentucky and the U.S. for donor visits.
Shift
Typically Days; Monday-Friday; 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.; and some evenings and weekends.
Job Summary
The University of Kentucky Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement Office is seeking creative, professional, and entrepreneurial candidates for its Director of Gift Planning position. The Director will join a successful and growing team of philanthropy professionals at one of the leading higher education institutions in the nation.
This role will oversee and drive strategic initiatives aimed at fostering planned and recurring major gifts in alignment with the University’s priority objectives. The ideal candidate will be responsible for curating and managing a portfolio comprising 75-90 top current and potential planned gift donors. They will skillfully negotiate and refine proposals tailored to meet donors’ preferences, adhering to relevant University guidelines, tax regulations, and trust/probate laws, with a primary focus on cultivating “blended gifts.”
Beyond donor engagement, this role will play a pivotal role in devising prospect strategies within the realm of gift and estate planning, fostering collaboration with philanthropy team members, deans, directors, and faculty. They will contribute to the creation of targeted and strategic communications aimed at boosting planned gift contributions to the University of Kentucky and nurturing existing commitments.
Moreover, the incumbent will provide leadership and guidance to colleagues within the office and across campus, steering the implementation of University-wide Planned Giving development strategies and setting ambitious fundraising objectives.The culture within the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) is built on our shared core values CoMMIT– Collaboration, Communication, Mission Driven, Mutual Respect, Innovation and Transparency.
By applying for a position within UK PAE, you are indicating your commitment and expressing your agreement to our six values. It is important you share these values in order to be part of our committed team!
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Good communication skills, attention to detail and able to work independently.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? :
No
Preferred Education/Experience
Preferred experience with planned giving gift administration, cultivation and solicitation.
Deadline To Apply
06/15/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Salary : $72,405 - $119,496