Executive Director of Development, Gift Planning

The Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with the University of California San Diego in the search for an Executive Director of Development, Gift Planning.

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor, Advancement Operations & Campaign, the Executive Director of Development, Gift Planning will have responsibility for the comprehensive leadership and management of the entire Gift Planning Team, including providing specialized and effective gift planning leadership during all phases of the current and any future comprehensive campaigns. The Executive Director will provide strategic planning for the Office of Gift Planning (OGP) and will position the OGP as an integral component of annual fundraising success. The Executive Director will ensure the OGP meets a campaign goal in excess of $170,000,000, and will serve as as the senior development officer responsible for collaborating with development colleagues across campus to identify, cultivate, solicit, negotiate, and steward principal, major, and gift planning donors and prospects, including, but not limited to proposal preparation, gift analysis, prospect tracking, management and stewardship, and implementing strategic marketing. In addition, the Executive Director will serve as the primary point of contact for trust and estate transactions, including the management and administration of the trust and estates portfolio, providing accurate and effective legal analysis as needed to protect the university’s interests.

UC San Diego was founded in 1960 as a forward-thinking research institution for graduate and undergraduate study. The campus has evolved to encompass six academic divisions and six graduate and professional schools. In addition, all undergraduates enroll in one of seven colleges—each with distinct neighborhoods, residence facilities, staff, traditions, and general education requirements.

A billion-dollar research enterprise, UC San Diego is situated in the heart of one of the most densely concentrated innovation hubs in the nation. UC San Diego is a unique place where fresh ideas are translated into solutions that nurture the physical and economic well-being of the planet—from wireless health technologies and unlocking the mysteries of the human brain to developing sustainable methods of food and energy production. UC San Diego is the nation’s 4th strongest public university in start-up creation and 7th in the nation for patents. Through the Campaign for UC San Diego—a university-wide comprehensive fundraising effort concluding in 2022—UC San Diego is enhancing student support, ensuring student success, transforming its campus, connecting to its community, and redefining education on a global scale.

The university values each member of the UC San Diego community for their individual and unique talents, and applauds all efforts to enhance the quality of campus life. It recognizes that each individual's effort is vital to achieving the goals of the university. It affirms each individual's right to dignity and strives to maintain a climate of justice marked by mutual respect for each other. It values the cultural diversity of UC San Diego because it enriches lives and the university. It celebrates this diversity and supports respect for all cultures, by both individuals and the university as a whole.

A bachelor's degree is required for this position as is at least five years of experience raising, maintaining, and growing a seven-figure fundraising portfolio. Relevant legal (or paralegal), estate, and tax planning experience is preferred. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of the University of California San Diego and the responsibilities and qualifications stated in the prospectus.

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