Director of Estate Administration, Gift Planning Operations

University of Illinois Foundation • Champaign, IL

1d • $85,000 - $95,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Illinois Foundation (Foundation) is the official fundraising and private gift-receiving organization of the University of Illinois (University). It works closely with alumni and friends, faculty and staff, corporations and foundations, as well as campus development professionals to create fundraising programs and opportunities that benefit the University.

The Director manages all aspects of the University of Illinois Foundation’s efforts to document and realize estate distributions to the University of Illinois Foundation (“UIF”) and University of Illinois (“University”), working in conjunction with donors, donors’ estate representatives, UIF colleagues, and University and UIF Counsel. Also provides guidance and oversight for UIF’s administration of life income gifts and other estate commitments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
• Significant experience in banking, trust, law, or development
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• High integrity, ability to adhere to strict confidentiality standards
• Ability to communicate technical information in a professional manner to diverse audiences
• Willingness to embrace new ideas and engage in collaboration, and excellent relationship-building, and interpersonal communication skills
• Results-driven leader who can manage and reprioritize multiple projects

Nice To Haves

• Experience higher education or non-profit industry experience
• Experience in trust/estate administration, estate planning, or financial planning
• CFP, CPA, CTFA, or JD designation
• Experience managing team members

Responsibilities

• Leads the estate administration function at UIF so that that the University and UIF realize estate distributions in a timely manner and that those distributions are processed accurately. This includes communicating with attorneys, advisors, executors, trustees, and plan administrators on matters associated with the administration and settlement of estate distributions; reviewing estate settlement documents and approving for UIF/University signature; implementing a system for tracking estates in the settlement process; and communicating with benefitting University units regarding their estate gifts in the settlement process to ensure strong stewardship of funds received.
• Supervises and performs related management responsibilities for the estate administration team, including establishment and ongoing evaluation of team goals and management of individual performance and professional development.
• Reviews and approves deferred gift commitment documentation, including for revocable and life income gifts, to ensure UIF has the appropriate information to administer and steward deferred gift commitments. Also provides guidance to colleagues on estate language and administration.
• Collaborates with UIF accounting staff working on life income gifts, irrevocable trusts held by others, and beneficial interest trusts to make certain UIF administers such gifts in compliance with laws, regulations, and industry best practices, while serving the needs of benefitting units, donors, and income beneficiaries.
• Oversees the administration of life insurance policies owned by UIF to ensure donor gifts to such policies are processed accurately, policy premiums are paid on time, and that mature or otherwise inactive policies are liquidated in a timely fashion.
• Serves as primary liaison with UIF General Counsel and University legal and tax advisors regarding UIF and University estate administration and other issues related to deferred gifts.
• Maintains subject matter expertise on planned giving vehicles and related laws and best practices, and develops processes and procedures to enhance the efficiency of estate administration and life insurance administration. Also contributes to the development of processes and procedures related to life income gift administration and deferred gift processing and documentation.

Benefits

• You'll be inspired daily in our state-of-the-art, environmentally conscious workspace - a stunning LEED-certified building featuring contemporary amenities including an on-site wellness center and café with healthy dining options.
• We encourage work-life balance through our hybrid schedule for many positions, combining in-office collaboration with up to 2 days of remote work flexibility.
• Your comprehensive benefits package includes medical, vision, and dental coverage, company paid life insurance, generous vacation time including 24 days annually, and more.
• Generous pension benefits are also included.
• We invest in your present and future wellbeing, providing the support you need to succeed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees