Executive Brief

Director of Development, Gift Planning
Georgia Tech Institute for Technology

The Organization: Georgia Tech

The Georgia Institute for Technology (Georgia Tech)

Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 50,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech’s faculty attracted approximately $1.37 billion in research awards in the most recent fiscal year, supporting work across critical fields including biomedical technology, artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and remains No. 1 among U.S. institutions without a medical school.

Georgia Tech - At a Glance:

Mission & Values:

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything they do:

Students are our top priority.
We strive for excellence.
We thrive on diversity.
We celebrate collaboration.
We champion innovation.
We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
We act ethically.
We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Academic Excellence:

Georgia Tech is ranked No. 3 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs. All of Georgia Tech's undergraduate engineering programs rank in the top 6, and all of the University's graduate engineering programs rank in the top 10. (Source: U.S. News & World Report)
Scheller College of Business ranks No. 19 among all Undergraduate Business Programs — with several programs featured in the top 10. Analytics (No. 3), quantitative analysis (No. 5), and management information systems (No. 2) are among the standout areas. Scheller College of Business also ranks No. 10 for their Part-Time MBA (Source: U.S. News & World Report).
Computer Science ranks No. 5 by U.S. News & World Report's Undergraduate Program Rankings, No. 6 by U.S. News & World Report's Graduate School Rankings, No. 17 by Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and No. 28 in The Guardian's QS World University Rankings.
In the category of Statistics and Operational Research, Georgia Tech ranks No. 9 in The Guardian's QS World University Rankings. Georgia Tech's graduate urban planning program is ranked No. 6 in the U.S. and No. 2 in Big City Programs by Planetizen.

Diversity:

The Institute is consistently rated among the top universities in the nation for graduation of underrepresented minorities in engineering, physical sciences, and architecture and planning.
With more than 60 chartered student organizations exploring religious, racial, sexual, and ethnic identity (but open to all), Georgia Tech's students find a way to celebrate, strengthen, and share their part of the robust cultural melting pot that thrives in the university's community.

Georgia Tech Office of Development (DEV)

The Office of Development is committed to securing the philanthropic resources that are transforming Georgia Tech. We engage alumni, friends, families, corporations, and foundations in the life of the Institute and encourage financial investment in Tech's future.

The fundraising team at Georgia Tech currently consists of 100+ professionals who are focused on securing transformative philanthropy (major and principal gifts) to support the strategic priorities of the Institute and its colleges, schools, and programs including Athletics.

Learn about the groups that make up the Office of Development:

College & School Representatives

From endowed chairs and professorships to undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, and facilities, donors can support the college, school, or academic program of their choice.

Corporate Engagement

Building partnerships with the corporate community is a top priority for Georgia Tech. Working together, the group grows philanthropy and helps companies connect to Tech through research, recruitment, and diversity initiatives.

Foundation Relations

Support from foundations provides vital resources for Georgia Tech strategic initiatives, making it possible for the Institute to advance knowledge across all disciplines.

Gift Planning

Gift planning begins with a donor's desire to make a gift. Whether the choice is a bequest provision in a will or revocable trust, or a life-income gift, the gift planning team assists with all gifts.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Athletic excellence has long been a source of pride and passion at Georgia Tech. The university wants to become one of the elite athletics programs in the nation with the best combination of athletics and academics.

International Development

Georgia Tech's vision of leadership in the 21st century is a global one. Moving international efforts to the next level cannot happen without private philanthropy.

Parent Giving

Parents play a vital role in the life of Georgia Tech. Through advocacy, volunteering, and philanthropy, they have a unique opportunity to become stakeholders in every Yellow Jacket's future.

Regional Development

Regional development representatives travel extensively, connecting with alumni and friends and sharing opportunities for supporting Georgia Tech through private philanthropy.

Reunion Giving

Each year, milestone reunion classes celebrate through combined philanthropic giving that advances Georgia Tech and enhances opportunities for students – today and for generations to come.

For the calendar year 2025, the DEV team’s efforts resulted in over $417.6 million in new gifts and commitments. This monumental success fuels momentum for Transforming Tomorrow: The Campaign for Georgia Tech, the most ambitious philanthropic effort in the Institute’s history, which now totals $1.83 billion and counting. Calendar Year 2025 places Georgia Tech on pace to achieve its $2 billion campaign goal by the end of 2027. To learn more about Transforming Tomorrow and the other thematic priorities of the campaign, click here.

“Georgia Tech’s brand has never been stronger. People close to campus and those across the nation are seeing Georgia Tech as a problem-solver in a changing world. We simply can’t thank our friends, alumni, volunteers, and staff enough for the great work that’s being done on so many levels.” – Jim Hall, Vice President for Development.

Office of Gift Planning

The Office of Gift Planning at Georgia Institute of Technology plays a key role in advancing the Institute’s philanthropic priorities by partnering closely with regional and unit-based gift officers across campus. The six-member team specializes in complex and deferred giving strategies, helping donors structure meaningful contributions that maximize both philanthropic impact and financial efficiency. Collectively, the office raises approximately $70–80 million annually, supporting Georgia Tech’s academic, research, and programmatic initiatives.

Georgia Tech Office of Development (DEV) - Leadership Spotlight:

Jim Hall – Vice President of Development

Jim Hall
Vice President of Development

Jim Hall serves as Vice President for Development at Georgia Tech. He has been with the Institute since 1998 and served as Senior Associate Vice President for Major Gifts and Next Generation Philanthropy, overseeing fundraising efforts across Georgia Tech’s colleges, schools, units, and international programs. A top fundraiser for the Institute, Hall previously served as Associate Vice President for Development (Athletics) and Executive Associate Athletics Director with the Georgia Tech Athletic Association, where under his leadership the Alexander-Tharpe Fund reached record levels of giving. Athletics Initiative 2020, a three-year campaign to raise $125 million, exceeded its goal by more than 40%.

Hall secured multiple seven-figure commitments in support of Tech Athletics and academic priorities across the Institute. In 2010, he was named University Division Fundraiser of the Year by the National Association of Athletic Development Directors, and he served as Georgia Tech’s Interim Vice President for Development in 2022. Prior to joining Georgia Tech, Hall led intercollegiate athletics fundraising and the letter winners association (I-Club) at Indiana State. He previously worked in development at the University of Oklahoma, where he helped launch the Sooner Club. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.

Hall assumes the role as Georgia Tech continues Transforming Tomorrow: The Campaign for Georgia Tech, the Institute’s more than $2 billion comprehensive campaign to support students, advance research and innovation, enhance campus and community, and expand Georgia Tech’s global impact.

Baylor Bassett, JD – Assistant Vice President Gift Planning

Baylor Bassett, JD
Assistant Vice President Gift Planning

The Opportunity: Director of Development, Gift Planning

Georgia Tech - DoD, Gift Planning - Job Description (PDF Download)

Position Summary

The Director of Development, Gift Planning will secure philanthropic support for Georgia Tech by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding planned gifts from individuals and organizations. This role requires expertise in a variety of gift planning methods and techniques, as well as knowledge of diverse funding assets, including cash, publicly traded stock, municipal bonds, real estate, privately held stock, personal property (such as art), and life insurance. The Director will design and implement strategies to engage prospective donors, tailoring gift plans to meet both donor interests and the needs of the Institute.

The Director of Development, Gift Planning will collaborate closely with Office of Development executives and officers, Institute executives and officers, faculty, alumni, and other potential donors and staff. This position will advise and counsel development executives and officers on matters related to gift planning and philanthropic strategy. The Director will play a key role in fostering long-term relationships with donors and ensuring the effective stewardship of planned gifts.

This role will maintain an active portfolio of approximately 40–50 prospects, cultivating relationships and guiding donors through sophisticated planned giving opportunities

This position will interact on a regular basis with Institute and Office of Development leadership, faculty, alumni, potential donors, and staff.

The Role and Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

Participate in development and implementation of marketing plans to promote planned gifts; prepare presentations and other materials describing tax-wise ways of giving.
Identify and cultivate planned giving prospects, working in concert with major gift officers.
Prepare illustrations and proposals for planned gifts; work with donors and their professional advisors in completing and documenting planned gifts.
Provide stewardship of planned giving donors through regular visits and ongoing communication in coordination with major gift officers assigned.
Provide information, training and orientation on tax-wise gifts to members of the Development staff and external constituencies.
Work in partnership with GT's planning giving legal counsel in coordinating gift planning legal issues.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Flexibility in work hours and willingness to travel as required for project delivery and client needs.
Bachelor’s degree or Law degree preferred, due to the complexity of client shift schedules and project requirements.
Expertise in personal financial planning and estate and trust administration, particularly as applied within a fundraising environment.
Strong marketing and communications skills.
Excellent organizational and administrative abilities.
Proficiency in the use of office-related computer applications.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team environment.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Six to eight years of job-related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s Degree or Law Degree.

Applications & Nominations

The Georgia Institute for Technology has partnered with Boyden Executive Search. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:

Lisa Vuona
Managing Partner, Boston
lvuona@boyden.com
LinkedIn

Lisa Vuona has decades of experience in executive search and human resource management, primarily in the non-profit, healthcare and education sectors. She is distinguished by her track record and network, and by her approach, which combines the strategic power of data with a finely tuned ability to understand the client’s organization and identify high-caliber leaders who fit the culture.

Jill Coran
Principal, Boston
jcoran@boyden.com
LinkedIn

Jill Coran brings a broad foundation in human resources and executive search to our Boston team, enabling her to make valuable contributions to search assignments. She is adept at understanding client needs, researching and identifying high-level potential candidates, and shepherding the search process with integrity and professionalism. In searches for hard-to-fill roles, her tenacity is invaluable.

Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every single requirement. Boyden Boston is dedicated to inclusivity and valuing diversity and equity in the workplace. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.