Assistant Director - Planned Giving

Position Announcement

Utah Valley University is a dynamic, student-centered institution dedicated to expanding access, opportunity, and student success. Institutional Advancement plays a critical role in that mission by connecting donors to meaningful opportunities that transform lives across campus. The Assistant Director of Planned Giving contributes directly to this work by helping individuals align their personal values with lasting support for UVU through thoughtful, long-term philanthropy.

This role is ideal for someone who is both organized and people-focused, with an interest in building relationships and managing projects with purpose. You will engage individuals who have expressed interest in planned giving, connect with financial professionals, coordinate outreach and events, and support meaningful donor engagement over time. If you are looking for a role where you can grow your skills, build lasting relationships, and make a meaningful impact on student success, we encourage you to apply.

Summary Of Responsibilities

• Appeal & Event Project Management: Serve as project manager for the planning, execution, and tracking of fundraising appeals, retirement webinars, the Business & Economic Forum, and donor events. Maintain project management systems and calendars, coordinate with division and campus partners, and manage appeal content across platforms, including NXT, Crescendo, newsletters, social media, and university publications. Ensure all communications, assets, KPIs, and results are archived and tracked. Monitor marketing and event budgets, evaluate ROI, and compile annual strategy and performance reports.
• Relationship Management, Stewardship & Outreach: Lead strategic engagement efforts with Wilson Sorensen Society members, planned giving prospects, and financial professionals. Cultivate relationships with CPAs, financial planners, and estate planning attorneys to promote UVU and encourage participation in the Business & Economic Forum. Manage donor outreach, including estate planning guide follow-up, stewardship events, and collaboration with development officers to support pipeline development. Engage with individuals who have self-identified an interest in planned giving, with the goal of qualifying them for a current or planned gift.
• Records, Data & Gift Stewardship: Maintain accurate donor records in Raisers Edge, manage gift documentation, and ensure compliance with IRS regulations. Analyze data to identify planned giving prospects and manage a portfolio of financial advisors, seminar attendees, and guide requestors. Support scholarship stewardship through Elder Quest events, donor recognition, and customized communications. Ensure all touches, acknowledgments, and reporting are completed for gifts under management.
• Performs other job-related duties, as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

• Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields: Accounting, Finance, Financial Planning, Business, Communication, Public Relations, Marketing, or a closely related discipline; and one year of experience related to the summary of duties.
• Alternatively, an associate degree in a related field plus three years of relevant professional experience may be considered.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• A background in finance, financial services, or a related field, with a practical understanding of tax considerations in charitable giving.
• Experience with asset-based donations such as real estate, securities, or business interests.
• Familiarity with philanthropic vehicles and giving strategies, including IRA qualified charitable distributions, donor-advised funds, charitable gift annuities, bequests, and beneficiary gifts.
  
  

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge

• Understanding of fundraising principles, donor diversity, estate planning, and legal and ethical compliance.
• Familiarity with financial concepts and philanthropic vehicles relevant to charitable giving, including tax implications, asset-based donations (such as real estate and securities), business ownership structures, and giving methods like IRA qualified charitable distributions, donor-advised funds, charitable gift annuities, bequests, and beneficiary gifts.
• Strong command of written and verbal communication, including grammar, syntax, and development-specific terminology.
• Knowledge of business practices, correspondence, and report generation, including donor engagement and relationship-building strategies.
• Knowledge of best practices for organizing, managing, and tracking tasks.
• Experience in institutional advancement, nonprofit, higher education, or professional business environments.
• Ability to conduct research, analyze data, solve problems, and make strategic recommendations.
  
  

Skills

• Skilled in creating and managing direct and digital fundraising campaigns with measurable outcomes.
• Strategic and innovative thinker with strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Extensive experience with Microsoft Excel, or equivalent, including data manipulation, mid-range formulas, and pivot tables, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
• Proficient in project management software, such as JIRA, ClickUp, Asana, Monday, etc., project mapping tools, such as Lucidchart, and visual design tools such as Canva or Adobe Illustrator.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills for engaging donors, financial advisors, and seminar participants.
  
  

Abilities

• Self-motivated and results-driven with a proactive approach to identifying and pursuing opportunities.
• Able to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Capable of working independently, managing multiple priorities, and aligning efforts with organizational goals.
• Professional and empathetic communicator, skilled in building trust and fostering collaboration with donors and financial professionals.