Director, Gift Planning and Complex Assets University Advancement

Job Description: Summary The Director, Gift Planning and Complex Assets serves as Wake Forest University’s resource for sophisticated charitable planning and complex gift opportunities. This position brings together philanthropic strategy, financial and asset expertise, and donor relationship management to help achieve charitable goals while advancing Wake Forest’s institutional priorities. Working closely with donors, professional advisors, and frontline development officers, the Director provides counsel on complex and advanced charitable giving strategies and helps transform sophisticated assets into meaningful philanthropic opportunities. The Director plays an active role throughout the gift development process—from identifying opportunities and developing donor strategies to structuring gifts, facilitating due diligence, and successfully completing complex transactions. The Director will proactively identify opportunities for complex and planned gifts, serving as a partner for development officers across University Advancement. The position will also help strengthen Wake Forest’s culture and capacity for sophisticated gift planning through education, consultation, market development, and collaboration. The Director brings expertise across a broad range of assets and charitable vehicles, including real estate, trusts, annuities, bequests, artwork, closely held business interests, restricted securities, and other complex assets. The position works closely with Finance and Accounting Services, the Office of General Counsel, donors, and their professional advisors to ensure that complex gifts are thoughtfully structured, appropriately evaluated, and aligned with University policy and applicable regulations. This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.