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Senior Director Gift Planning Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Director, Gift Planning is responsible for overall strategic leadership and management of AMC ... Reporting to the incoming Senior Director, Principal Gifts, this position will work closely with ...

Director-Gift Planning PRIMARY PURPOSE/GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Director of Gift Planning is responsible for building a premier planned giving program by enlarging outreach and communication, and ...

Cleveland State University Engaged LearningSenior Director, Gift and Estate Planning Business Title Senior Director, Gift and Estate Planning Posting Category Salary Grade Salary Grade 09 Salary Plan ...

... Senior Director of Gift Planning within the University of Idaho Foundation. It is one of two Directors. The primary focus of the position is to develop and cultivate relationships with alumni and ...

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Senior Director Gift Planning information

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$35K

$120.8K

$192K

How much do senior director gift planning jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior director gift planning in the United States is $120,836.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,000.00 and $156,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior director gift planning?

A Senior Director of Gift Planning is a senior-level fundraising professional responsible for managing and expanding an organization's planned giving program. They work with donors to structure charitable gifts through bequests, trusts, and other long-term giving vehicles. Their role often includes developing strategies to cultivate donor relationships, educating staff and donors on planned giving options, and ensuring legal compliance. Senior Directors typically lead a team and collaborate with other fundraising departments to maximize philanthropic support for the organization.

How does a senior director gift planning typically collaborate with other departments to achieve fundraising goals?

A Senior Director of Gift Planning works closely with colleagues in development, legal, finance, and marketing to structure and promote planned giving opportunities. This role often leads training sessions for frontline fundraisers, partners with finance to ensure proper gift documentation, and coordinates with marketing to develop donor outreach materials. Effective collaboration ensures that gift planning strategies align with overall fundraising objectives and donor stewardship efforts, ultimately enhancing the organization's impact. Regular communication and cross-departmental meetings are key to staying aligned on goals and progress.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior director gift planning, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Director Gift Planning, you need expertise in fundraising, estate planning, and donor relationship management, typically supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with CRM databases, planned giving software, and knowledge of tax laws and charitable giving vehicles is essential. Exceptional interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly make someone stand out in this position. These skills are crucial for building trust with donors, securing major gifts, and driving long-term support for the organization.

What is the difference between Senior Director Gift Planning vs Development Director?

AspectSenior Director Gift PlanningDevelopment Director
Primary FocusStrategic gift planning, estate gifts, major donorsFundraising campaigns, donor relations, annual giving
Required CredentialsAdvanced degree, fundraising certifications often preferredSimilar credentials, often with fundraising certifications
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, universities, cultural institutionsSimilar nonprofit settings, often overseeing teams
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large nonprofits, educational institutions

The Senior Director Gift Planning focuses on high-level estate and planned giving strategies, working closely with major donors. The Development Director manages broader fundraising efforts, including campaigns and annual giving. While both roles require fundraising expertise and similar credentials, the Senior Director Gift Planning specializes in long-term gift planning and estate gifts, making it more strategic and donor-specific.

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What states have the most Senior Director Gift Planning jobs?

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Infographic showing various Senior Director Gift Planning job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,836 per year, or $58.1 per hour.

Director/Sr. Director, Gift Planning

Houston, TX β€’ On-site

$105K - $125K/yr

Other

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

Director/Sr. Director, Gift Planning# Director/Sr. Director, Gift PlanningHouston, TX 77007## OverviewSalary Range$105,000.00 - $125,000.00 Salary/yearPosition TypeFull TimeTravel PercentageUp to 50%## DESCRIPTIONThe Director, Gift Planning manages and advances a portfolio of principal ($100,000+) and planned-gift prospects and donors. This is a high-level individual contributor role that will support the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of commitments for the Principal Gifts Campaign. This role will be responsible for implementing coordinated planned giving and endowment engagement strategies, including communications and donor stewardship activities that support long-term program growth.The Senior Director, Gift Planning will exhibit a higher level of proficiency in the required job experience, skills and competencies.**PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*** **Portfolio Management and Fundraising:** Manages and advances a defined portfolio of principal and planned giving prospects with primary, secondary, and tertiary assignments. Advances prospects toward solicitation and commitment. Conducts or facilitates visits, strategic conversations, and solicitation discussions and follow-ups. Develops and implements donor strategies in coordination with team members and senior leadership in support of Principal Gifts Team fundraising goals and objectives. Conducts or facilitates a minimum of 20 meaningful portfolio interactions per month, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, in coordination with volunteer peer solicitors and senior leadership, and documents activity.* **Planned Giving and Endowment Program:** Develops and executes planned giving program plans. Develops and maintains a list of endowment funding and funded opportunities in coordination with senior leadership. Facilitates the incorporation of endowment and planned giving opportunities and gift agreements into principal gift proposals as appropriate. Supports policy alignment, review, and readiness.* **Planned Giving Communications and Donor Engagement:** Plans and implements communications and activities including the planned giving website, newsletters, and Legacy Circle activities in coordination with the Marketing and Communications Team and senior leadership.* **Tracking and Reporting:** Maintains accurate moves management and donor records and reports on activities.* **Team Collaborations:** Participates as a Principal Gifts Team member. Maintains consistent communication with team members and senior leadership. Demonstrates discernment in engaging support for research, report and collateral preparation, and moves management tracking to maintain an appropriate balance between administrative tasks and donor engagement priorities. Supports a coordinated and aligned team environment.* **Other:** Performs special assignments and other work as assigned. Takes on additional duties as needed to ensure the success of the Principal Gifts Team.## QUALIFICATIONS**EDUCATION:** Bachelor’s degree in philanthropic studies, public administration, business, marketing, or other related field. **EXPERIENCE:*** 5-10 years of experience in individual major gift fundraising, preferably in a team-based, portfolio-driven environment, including the cultivation, solicitation, and presentation of basic planned and blended gift opportunities.* Demonstrated ability to cultivate, solicit, and manage donor and volunteer relationships, and to strategically engage those individuals in peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives.* Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and donor relations technologies, including, Raisers Edge, Salesforce, Crescendo, FreeWill, Wealth-X, and RelSci.* Commitment to ethical standards as defined by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.* Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and project management skills, with strong interpersonal abilities and the capacity to effectively interact with diverse staff, volunteers, and donors at all levels.**CERTIFICATION/LICENSES:** CFRE, CAP, J.D., CFP or associated credential preferred. #J-18808-Ljbffr