Associate Director, Gift & Estate Planning

Job Description Summary

This position reports to the Senior Director of Development, Gift & Estate Planning, as part of the MUSC Foundation. The Gift & Estate Planning program manages all current and deferred planned gifts for the MUSC enterprise, including bequests, life income vehicles, beneficiary designations, life insurance, IRA and QCD gifts, real estate, marketable and closely held securities, tangible personal property, life estates, bargain sales, and other planned gift types.

This role supports the growth and stability of the Planned Giving department and works closely with Development Officers and staff across the MUSC Foundation. Responsibilities include project management, gift processing, estate administration, digital record keeping, marketing, event planning, and stewardship efforts that promote and strengthen the program.

Entity

University Medical Associates (UMA) Only Employees and Financials

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Regular

Cost Center

CC005438 UMA OTHR PAY MUSCF - Institutional Advancement

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

Health-29

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Job Summary: This position reports to the Senior Director of Development, Gift & Estate Planning, as part of the MUSC Foundation. The Gift & Estate Planning program manages all current and deferred planned gifts for the MUSC enterprise, including bequests, life income vehicles, beneficiary designations, life insurance, IRA and QCD gifts, real estate, marketable and closely held securities, tangible personal property, life estates, bargain sales, and other planned gift types.

This role supports the growth and stability of the Planned Giving department and works closely with Development Officers and staff across the MUSC Foundation. Responsibilities include project management, gift processing, estate administration, digital record keeping, marketing, event planning, and stewardship efforts that promote and strengthen the program.

Responsibilities

35% – Gift Administration & Project Management

• Coordinate the administration of open estates, life income gifts, IRA gift processing, life insurance gifts, and other planned gifts.
• Works closely with MUSC, MUHA, and Foundation partners to follow gift acceptance policies and procedures.
• Monitor the Life Insurance Gift Program, maintain records, and prepare quarterly reports on policy status.
• Reviews the Life Income and Trust Gift Program, including managing CGA and CRT income payments, donor communications to include reporting, and work with the charitable funds manager to service accounts, maintaining accurate files for backup documentation, and entering all activities of program into the Raiser’s Edge Database. Prepare a quarterly report on CGA and CRT account status.
• Oversee the Open Estates Program under the direction of the Senior Director: establish estate records, track pending distributions and pledges, and ensure timely gift processing.
• Process all planned gifts, including IRA gifts, and serve as the Foundation liaison for acknowledgment and documentation validation.
• Ensure estate gift documentation is properly received and recorded in collaboration with development officers and donors.
• Coordinate with MUSCF and advancement partners to officially book deferred and current gift commitments in Raiser’s Edge/NXT.
• Manage the MOU process for deferred planned gifts.
• Prepare a weekly status report covering estates, IRA gifts, MOUs, gift bookings, and acknowledgments.

35% – Fundraising

• Leads the solicitation of major and capital gifts ($25,000+), ensuring strategic donor engagement through personalized cultivation, formal presentations, and proposal development. Drives efforts to meet established fundraising goals (e.g., dollars raised, solicitations made/funded, visits, contacts, and prospects qualified) while aligning donor interests with institutional priorities.
• Collaborates with the Senior Director of Development, Gift & Estate Planning, and other MUSC Foundation staff to manage all phases of the planned giving cycle, including prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

10% – Donor Stewardship & Recognition

• Administer the acknowledgment process for all incoming planned gifts.
• Coordinate stewardship letters from the President’s Office and the Senior Director of Development, Gift & Estate Planning.
• Maintain acknowledgment records in print, digital files, and Raiser’s Edge.
• Manage stewardship activities such as birthday cards, holiday cards, sympathy outreach, donor stories, and promotional gifts.
• Oversee project management and execution of the Legacy event in collaboration with the Central Events Team.

10% – Marketing & Communications

• Assist in creating and managing content for digital and print materials.
• Monitor marketing calendars and ensure timely execution.
• Lead project management of the Planned Giving e-newsletter, including content gathering, design coordination, and scheduling.
• Maintain the Planned Giving website.
• Manage the development and publication of donor stories: schedule interviews, coordinate photography, edit content, and ensure timely delivery with the internal communications team.
• Maintain a donor story archive and work with development officers and MUSCF staff to support story production.

5% – Deferred Gift Inventory Management

• Maintain accurate records of deferred gift inventory and serve as the primary contact for estate gift documentation in the donor database.
• Ensure digital donor files are complete and up-to-date.
• Coordinate with the data team to maintain detailed spreadsheets and generate reports for leadership as needed.

5% – Front-Line and Technical Support

• Provide customer service to donors and MUSCF staff; answer calls and inquiries (including FreeWill-related inquiries).
• Manage expenses, including mileage, reimbursements, check requests, and credit card statements.
• Oversee the management and updates of planned giving software and Blackbaud tools used by the PG team.

Preferred Qualifications: A bachelor's degree or equivalent and 3 - 5 years of related professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

• Demonstrated experience in gift administration and/or project management within a planned or deferred giving program.
• Must demonstrate the ability to raise philanthropic support commensurate with this level of responsibility.
• Proficiency with development databases and tracking systems preferred; experience with Raiser’s Edge (Blackbaud), PG Calc, or Crescendo is a plus.
• Strong understanding of estate gift administration, budgeting, and office operations, with the ability to support their implementation.
• Knowledge of project management principles and best practices.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently or collaboratively in a team environment while maintaining confidentiality.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Additional Job Description

Education: Bachelors Degree or equivalent Work Experience: 4-6 years

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees