Assistant Director of Gift Planning

Assistant Director of Gift Planning

• 509835
• Main Campus - Starkville, MS
• Mississippi - Main Campus
• 441300 - MS State University Foundation
• Professional
• Full-Time 12-Month
• Opening on: Jan 21 2026

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Position Function:

Assist the Senior Director of Gift Planning with the planned giving program of the university and to manage a portfolio of planned giving prospects in order to optimize fund-raising potential and to reach fund-raising goals of the university.

Salary Grade: 16

Please see Staff Compensation Structure for salary ranges.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Develop an understanding of the marketing plan that seeks to identify, inform, cultivate and close planned gifts, including various kinds of trusts and bequests

2. Consult with fund-raising staff and selected donors regarding the tax implementations of certain types of current gift methodologies

3. Maintain a list of planned giving donors and prospects

4. Target and solicit prospects for bequests (The Old Main Society)

5. Maintain detailed files on planned gift prospects and gift expectancies

6. Maintain relationships with legal, financial and planned giving professionals who can assist with providing legal, accounting and tax information to prospects, fund-raising staff, Foundation board members, and other volunteers

7. Provide appropriate reports to university officials and Foundation board members

8. Ensure that gift arrangements are properly documented and executed; oversee arrangements with attorneys, trust departments, etc.

9. Stay apprised of legal and technical developments in the areas of estate planning and charitable giving

10. Assist all members of the development staff in fund-raising activities

11. Provide weekly contact reports to the Senior Director of Gift Planning

12. Perform related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor''s degree in a related field
• Two years experience in fund-raising, estate planning, trust management, tax planning or related field
• Position requires occasional travel. A valid driver''s license is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Direct experience in fund-raising or advancement in a higher education setting, preferably in Educational fund-raising.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational, motivational and leadership skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with university officials, faculty, prominent alumni and friends of Mississippi State University, i.e., multiple and varied constituencies
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to meet travel requirements of position

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk
• No or very limited physical effort required

Instructions for Applying:

Submit an online application along with a resume and cover letter.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.

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