Gift Planning Program Director

Located on the beautiful campus of Notre Dame, this role serves as a front-line fundraiser supporting the University’s development efforts. The Gift Planning Program Director role presents an opportunity to utilize all of your skills, education, talents, experience, and values to become a key driver to unlock the grace of giving in advancing Notre Dame’s mission. By becoming a trusted advisor, you help our benefactors make the best decisions about their assets, creating lasting impacts that align with the values that are most important to them. If you are ready to inspire and help others who are passionate about using their resources to make a lasting impact on the world, there is no better place than the University of Notre Dame.

Also known as a Gift Planning Officer, you will represent the University to benefactors, working closely with Regional Directors and other University fundraisers to cultivate benefactors with the capacity to make planned gifts, and provide expertise with comprehensive gift planning services. Planned gifts include bequests, charitable trusts, donor advised funds, charitable gift annuities, gifts of real estate, gifts of appreciated property and securities, and gifts of retirement plan assets and life insurance policies. 

Reporting to the Senior Director of Gift Planning Advancement, you will join a dedicated, University-wide advancement team, working together to establish the financial security of Notre Dame and expand its unique vision for the future.

Key Objectives & Activities

• Strategic Cultivation: Represent the University to benefactors, working closely with Regional Directors to cultivate and secure leadership-level planned gifts (bequests, trusts, DAFs, real estate, and more).

• Expert Consultation: Act as a specialist for benefactors and their professional advisors (Attorneys, CPAs, CFPs), providing research and guidance on tax, estate planning, and the financial implications of various gift structures.

• Collaborative Strategy: Partner with Development colleagues and academic leadership to execute solicitation strategies that align a benefactor’s philanthropic passion with University priorities.

• Pipeline Development: Identify and qualify potential benefactors for leadership or hybrid gifts in collaboration with Prospect Research and Regional Development teams.

• Education & Advocacy: Consult, advise, and train internal staff and volunteers on planned giving best practices and procedures.

• Stewardship: Plan and participate in high-level University events, including Badin Guild recognition ceremonies.

Minimum Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience: 4+ years of professional experience.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written skills, with the interpersonal savvy to work alongside high-net-worth individuals and their legal/financial counsel.
• Technical Skills: Experience with legal research and drafting.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel approximately 35%

Preferred Qualifications:

• 7+ years of professional experience, specifically in client-facing roles.
• Working knowledge of estate planning techniques, tax law, and the statutory/regulatory body of law regarding planned gifts.
• Professional certification: JD, CPA, or CFP highly preferred.

RESUME & COVER LETTER ARE REQUIRED to be considered for this position. Please add in the attachments section of your application. 

Salary: in the $110,000s, commensurate with experience

Applications will be accepted through Monday, May 4, 2026

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.