Executive Director, Planned Giving

Since its founding in 1965, the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) has quickly become one of the nation’s top-ranked public universities and one of the most dynamic campuses in the world-renowned University of California system. For nearly 60 years, UC Irvine has advanced its mission to catalyze the community and enhance lives through rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, dedicated public service, and exceptional patient care. As the university further cements its prominence and expands its impact in Orange County and beyond, it seeks an experienced, driven, and collaborative individual to serve as the Executive Director of Planned Giving (EDPG), charged with strategically leading a significant and high-performing program within the division of University Advancement & Alumni Relations (UAAR). The EDPG joins at an exciting time of growth and momentum as the university nears the successful completion of Brilliant Future: The Campaign for UC Irvine. The largest philanthropic effort in Orange County’s history, the Brilliant Future campaign has already surpassed its $2 billion goal, for which 42 percent of campaign funds raised resulted in planned gifts. Building on this success, the EDPG will define an ambitious vision and provide the necessary leadership to further elevate UC Irvine’s planned giving operation and strategic gift planning efforts.

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Philanthropy, the EDPG will be a key partner to all UC Irvine fundraising units, building bridges to significantly increase the volume and impact of the university’s planned giving efforts. The EDPG will identify, cultivate, and solicit major outright and deferred gift prospects and donors, and those whose gifts involve complex tax and investment planning considerations. The EDPG will market varied deferred and outright giving vehicles to both internal and external audiences and provide leadership and technical assistance to donors, volunteers, and UAAR colleagues regarding tax and financial aspects of charitable giving. With oversight for two staff members, a director of planned giving and a planned giving coordinator, the EDPG will position the team to serve as the campus’ gift planning experts and strategic partners.

With at least seven years of experience in successful development and fundraising programs, preferably within higher education, the EDPG must possess knowledge of principles and best practices of fundraising for a comprehensive research university, including the ability to direct and grow a complex planned giving program. The successful candidate will bring demonstrated success in personally implementing sophisticated, multi-year cultivation strategies that leverage a relationship-building and moves management approach to leading successful gift closure. The EDPG will also have a proven track record of significant personal success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at significant planned giving levels. 

With strong managerial, strategic planning, and motivational skills, the successful candidate will be a proactive, highly collaborative professional adept at forging strong partnerships across all fundraising units to foster confidence and increase activity levels in planned giving. Equally important are excellent communication and negotiation skills, as well as the astute ability to respond and act effectively in a complex environment, oftentimes with conflicting demands. The successful candidate will be a self-assured, results-oriented advancement professional with a collegial and accessible leadership style, and a deep appreciation for and alignment with the mission, goals, and values of UC Irvine. A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree, such as a masters of business administration or juris doctor, is preferred. 

Rachel Ellenport is leading this search with Nicole Poe and Megan Gorman. 

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.