Job Description

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, invites applications for Director of Gift Planning, Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

ROLE of the POSITION

The Director of Gift Planning serves as a gift and estate planning fundraiser for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Development team. Reporting to the Senior Director of Gift Planning, the Director will be an integral partner in the planning, managing, and executing gift planning activities for the UNLV campus. 

The Director will be responsible for managing a portfolio of planned giving prospects with the capacity to make transformational gifts. Responsibilities will include generating philanthropic gifts from donors through multiple complexes planned giving vehicles such as testamentary bequests, charitable trusts, life income, real estate, and closely-held securities. In addition to managing a personal portfolio of donors, the Director will provide guidance and consultation on gift planning to the UNLV campus community constituents, which include Deans, Vice Presidents, Development Professionals, and other key constituents. 

The Director has the responsibility to secure transformational estate gifts that may impact campus-wide initiatives and to actively develop a pipeline of future planned giving donors to UNLV. The Director will be a strong collaborator within the Division and with individual departments such as Alumni Engagement, Communications, Corporate & Foundation Relations, Development, Board Relations, and Prospect Research Services. The Director will work with trustees and volunteers to identify and cultivate prospective donors. 

The Director will assist with the management of a group of professionals (estate planners, attorneys, trust officers, etc.) who will serve as a Gift Planning Advisor Network. 

The Director may be required to work evenings and/or weekends as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. Regular travel will be required.

About the UNLV Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

The Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) fosters relationships with alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations and encourages private financial support for the students, faculty, research, and innovative programs that distinguish UNLV as an exceptional university.

PAE currently employs nearly 100 team members. We seek to hire talented professionals who will share the university's vision for excellence in academics and research, as well as a commitment to the relationships built between UNLV and its alumni and friends.

UNLV is a vibrant campus, a supportive workplace, and it has the tools to help you achieve professional and personal growth. We offer a variety of career opportunities and generous compensation packages.

Living Our Values

As a team member of PAE, you will be part of a growing, inclusive division that values integrity, trust, excellence, teamwork, and respect.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Juris Doctor (JD) preferred
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of professional experience
• At least three (3) years of planned giving fundraising experience within a large research university or experience as a practicing attorney with demonstrated philanthropic expertise
• No prior supervisory or direct management experience required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Five (5) to seven (7) years of professional experience
• Knowledge of planned giving vehicles and experience in soliciting and securing planned gifts 
• Evidence of effectiveness in building and sustaining relationships with donors, staff and partners 
• A working knowledge of the legal, tax and procedural aspects of estate planning, estate and trust administration, probate, fiduciary duties, estate and trust tax preparation, and accounting.
• Legal and tax knowledge and understanding of charitable giving including current and evolving trends in planned giving.
• Demonstrated ability in thinking strategically to acquire, engage, upgrade, and steward donors

COMMITMENT to DIVERSITY and CAMPUS VALUES

A successful candidate will support diversity, equity, and inclusiveness and contribute to a respectful, positive work environment. They will use our Campus Values to guide their decisions and actions and demonstrate our Rebel spirit.

SALARY

The salary range for the Director of Gift Planning is $105,000-$115,000. Salary is competitive with those at similarly situated institutions.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT UNLV

• Competitive total rewards package including:
  • Paid time off, sick leave, and holidays
  • Excellent health insurance including medical, dental and vision
  • Comprehensive retirement plans and voluntary benefits programs
• No state income tax
• Tuition discounts at Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) schools
• Tuition discounts for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents

PERKS AND PROGRAMS

• Employee recognition and appreciation programs
• UNLV athletics ticket discounts
• Statewide employee purchase program discounts
• RebelCard discounts on and off campus
• Wellness programming for all UNLV faculty and staff at no cost
• Opportunity for career advancements to leadership roles
• Connect with colleagues with shared interests
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• A comprehensive onboarding program, Rebels: Onboard
• Support and resources available for veteran applicants — contact?vetjobseekers@unlv.edu or visit our Veterans Webpage.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. References will not be contacted until the search chair notifies you in advance.

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based. Materials should be addressed to Eric Schimmoeller, Search Committee Chair.

Although this position will remain open until filled, review of candidates’ materials will begin on May 27, 2026.

Applications must be submitted electronically through Workday. Please note that emailed materials will not be accepted.

Veterans are encouraged to apply. UNLV values the skills of those who have served. Learn more at Veterans Webpage or contact vetjobseekers@unlv.edu for support.

For assistance with the application process, please review instructions on How to Apply. For further assistance contact UNLV Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or UNLVJobs@unlv.edu.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERNAL NSHE CANDIDATES

UNLV employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) MUST use the “Find Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at UNLV and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Find Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate this specific job posting by typing the job requisition number, R0151868 in the search box.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

PROFILE of the UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1957, UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution comprised of approximately 30,000 students and more than 3,600 faculty and staff. To date, UNLV has conferred more than 152,000 degrees, producing more than 130,000 alumni around the world. UNLV is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an R1 research university with very high research activity, and is a recipient of the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement. The university is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region's diversifying population and workforce, driving economic activity through increased research and community partnerships, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada that includes the launch of a new UNLV School of Medicine. UNLV is located on a 332-acre main campus and two satellite campuses in Southern Nevada.

Here at UNLV, we have come together and created one of the most affirmative and dynamic academic environments in the country. UNLV sits in the top spot in U.S. News & World Report's annual listing of the nation's most diverse universities for undergraduates. The university has ranked in the top ten since the rankings debuted more than a decade ago. We continue to show our commitment to serving our wonderfully diverse population and building the future for Las Vegas and Nevada.

For more information, visit us online at: http://www.unlv.edu

EEO/AA STATEMENT

The University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination based on a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). Discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including unlawful harassment, which is a form of discrimination, is illegal under federal and state law. Where unlawful discrimination is found to have occurred, UNLV will act to stop the unlawful discrimination, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible. Women, minorities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

TITLE IX STATEMENT

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates. Non-discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106). The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: Michelle Sposito, J.D., Title IX Coordinator, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Mail Stop 1062, Las Vegas, NV 89154-1062, Campus Services Building (CSB) Room 246, Telephone: (702) 895-4055; Email: titleixcoordinator@unlv.edu, or to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: 1-800-421-3481 FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: OCR@ed.gov; or to both. 

Information pertaining to the University’s grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the University will respond can be found online at the Office of Equal Employment & Title IX webpage.

SAFETY AND SECURITY STATEMENT

UNLV is committed to assisting all members of the UNLV community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report compliance document is available online.

JOB CATEGORY

Administrative Faculty

Exempt

Yes

Full-Time Equivalent

100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted.

Note to Applicant

This position may require that a criminal background check be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.  

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified,  HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment. 

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.  

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.  

For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.  

All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcement (if a closing date is provided).

Recruitments that provide a work schedule are subject to change based on organizational needs.