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.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in planned giving, major gifts, or related advancement work.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of planned giving vehicles and gift planning strategies.
• Strong relationship-building skills with donors, professional advisors, and campus partners.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to manage complex donor relationships with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Highly collaborative and able to work effectively across a development team.
• Comfort with CRM systems and fundraising data tools.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working in a higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven environment.
• Familiarity with project management, event management, or CRM tools (e.g., Airtable, Asana, Trello, Cvent, or similar systems).
• Experience planning and executing events of varying sizes and formats, from small gatherings and lectures to large-scale ceremonies and signature events.
• Demonstrated experience working with people across a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and cultures.
• Prior training or professional experience in hospitality, customer experience, or guest services, with a strong commitment to creating welcoming, inclusive, and high-quality event experiences.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is primarily based on Pacific University’s Forest Grove campus, with regular local and regional travel to meet with donors and partners, and periodic travel to the Hillsboro campus. Occasional evening and weekend work is required to support donor engagement and events. The role is primarily office-based, with regular time spent in meetings and off-site settings.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position operates in a professional university office environment with frequent collaboration across departments. Work is primarily performed in an office setting with regular use of standard office equipment and technology. The role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and engage with a wide range of campus and external partners. Some evening and weekend work may be required to support university events, deadlines, or peak periods of activity.

HYBRID/REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY 

Hybrid schedule 

Expectations:

• Regular evening and/or weekend responsibilities

Travel Requirements:

• Some travel required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. The role involves a combination of sedentary work and periods of standing or walking, including moving between campus locations and event sites. The position may require lifting, carrying, or moving light materials or equipment (up to approximately 25 pounds), using standard office and event-related equipment, and working at a computer for extended periods. The ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and through electronic means is required.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please upload your resume and cover letter along with your Paycom application.  Persons who do not follow and complete the application process are not applicants and will not be considered for employment.

Only qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview. During the selection process, we will strive to provide timely notifications. The selection process may vary from recruitment to recruitment but typically includes multiple interviews and may take several weeks depending on the position. All qualified applicants will be notified once the selection process has closed.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and continue to work without employer visa sponsorship, now or in the future.

At Pacific University, we are dedicated to offering experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity-minded, and responsive. Our communal success rests on the recognition that complex problems and effective solutions are best approached by teams with a variety of diverse perspectives. and life experiences. As we continue to develop our equity practices, we actively promote access to opportunities and equitable pay for all employees.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs where they are unsure if they can perform every function in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may come from a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about how your background and skill set may qualify you for the role.

We, who make up Pacific University, aspire to become a community of purpose where everyone is enabled to be wholly and comfortably who they are; accountable for inclusive behaviors and practices; built on trust, civility, care, openness, and honest conversations often around critical subjects. We know that these values are critical to prepare for a global world with complex problems, through an asset-based mindset so that everyone is afforded an opportunity to succeed. We believe in fostering a workplace where every employee is respected, their contributions are valued, and they are provided opportunities to succeed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for qualifying employees. Current benefits include:

• Generous paid time off (for vacation, holidays—including winter break—and sick leave)
• Medical coverage with alternative care options (with in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction)
• Comprehensive dental and vision plans
• Generous retirement contribution after one year of service with no match required
• Free mental health appointments
• Tuition remission for employees and their dependent child(ren) who meet eligibility requirements
• On-campus benefits, including free access to our sports facility and library
• Discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services, and outdoor program gear rentals (including kayaks, snowshoes, and bikes)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all applicable laws, including those concerning employment and workplace policies. We are committed to fostering a non-discriminatory and inclusive work environment. We are proud to encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from historically underrepresented groups.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

Pacific University makes all employment decisions without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. Applicable laws include, but are not limited to, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116 or via email at provost@pacificu.edu.

Salary : $100,000 - $135,000