Gift & Endowment Management Specialist

Advancement

The Gift Agreement Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the university's philanthropic efforts by drafting, reviewing, and managing gift agreements that document donor intent and ensure institutional compliance. This position works closely with development officers, central advancement leadership, legal counsel, and campus partners to create clear, accurate, and enforceable agreements that align donor wishes with institutional priorities. The specialist ensures that all agreements meet internal standards, adhere to legal and policy requirements, and support long-term stewardship and fund management. This position will also serve as a secondary resource for donor reporting and contribute to system-level analysis and reporting of endowment and fund-related issues.

Key Responsibilities

Gift Agreement Drafting & Review
* Draft, edit, and finalize gift agreements, amendments, memoranda of understanding, and related documents that articulate donor intent.
* Ensure agreements comply with university policies, IRS regulations, CASE standards, and applicable state and federal laws.
* Translate complex donor conversations into precise, actionable agreement language.
* Maintain consistency in agreement structure, terminology, and formatting across all units.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Support
* Partner with frontline fundraisers to understand donor commitments and provide guidance on appropriate agreement structures.
* Consult with university legal counsel on agreements requiring specialized review.
* Coordinate with finance, scholarship administration, academic units, and stewardship teams to ensure feasibility and clarity of agreement terms.
* Serve as a subject-matter expert on gift documentation best practices.
* Assist other campus partners with endowment and gift agreement questions and reporting.
* Assist with annual donor reporting.

Compliance & Policy Management
* Monitor and interpret institutional policies related to gift acceptance, fund creation, and endowment management.
* Ensure agreements align with university naming policies, spending guidelines, and fund minimums.
* Identify potential compliance risks and recommend solutions to mitigate them.
* Support periodic policy updates and training for Advancement staff.
* Stay current on industry trends and emerging best practices in gift documentation.
* Assist in auditing existing agreements to confirm alignment with current policies and donor intent.

M-F 8am-5pm with some occasional events

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

* Strong writing, editing, and analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail.
* Experience working with legal, financial, or contractual documents.
* Ability to interpret and apply policies, regulations, and guidelines.
* Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
* Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
* Experience in higher education advancement, nonprofit fundraising, or related fields.
* Familiarity with donor relations, endowment management, or gift administration.
* Knowledge of CASE standards and IRS regulations related to charitable giving.
* Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Advance, Salesforce, Raiser's Edge).

Salary Range:$65,000.00-$75,000.00 Annually

Grade: GGS-9E

University Title: Manager I Business Administration

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Resume and Cover Letter

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

As one of Missouri's largest employers, MU staff members enjoy exceptionally competitive health, PTO and retirement plans. A few highlights:
* Health Insurance -Three plans to choose from, including our Custom Network Plan; a cost-effective insurance option that utilizes our extensive network of MU-affiliated hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.
* HSA - UM provides between $400 - $1200 in contributions to health savings accounts, depending on plans and dependents
* Dental - 100% coverage for preventative care, with no restrictions on network or non-network providers
* Vision - $0 copays on frames and contact lenses along with a $140 allowance, and a $10 copay on yearly eye exams.
* Retirement - UM will match 100% of up to 8% of eligible pay contributed to a 457(b), with a three-year vesting period on University contributions.
* Tuition Assistance - Up to 75% of tuition and supplemental fees waived for employees, and 50% waived for spouses and dependents
* Time Off - Personal time off (PTO) as well as 10 paid holidays.
* Winter Break - The university observes a paid holiday for the period between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours' drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County's largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.