Major Gift Officer for University Initiatives

Position Summary

University Initiatives is a central fundraising team within Columbia’s Office of Alumni and Development that raises funds for Presidential and Provostial initiatives that bridge schools and units across the University. These include the Data Science Institute, Knight First Amendment Institute, Columbia Entrepreneurship and other strategic priorities as identified.

Reporting to the Director of Development for University Initiatives, the Major Gift Officer serves as a central fundraiser and development partner to these areas and has responsibility for managing a portfolio of development projects and carrying a portfolio of select University prospects with gift capacity of $100,000 or more.

Responsibilities

• Serves as Major Gift Officer supporting various University Initiatives identified by the President and Provost (i.e., Data Science Institute, Knight First Amendment Institute, Columbia Entrepreneurship, etc.) and those that may arise during campaign planning.
• In partnership with the Director of Development for University Initiatives, builds fundraising strategies for each priority area to expand their donor circles and increase revenue.
• Responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of 150 prospects and moving them through the complete giving cycle: validation, engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Completes a minimum of 15 major gifts asks annually and a minimum of 10 leadership annual fund asks annually. There is also an expectation of two planned giving conversations for this position each year.
• Conducts regular validation meetings with prospects, alumni, and friends who have not been visited previously to help determine giving potential and opportunities for engagement.
• Manages prospect relationships to enhance continued and increased support and attends events to facilitate contact with prospects.
• Works with the OAD Prospect Development team to identify alumni and friends who may be philanthropically inclined to support these Initiatives.
• Ensures maintenance of all records in the Advance database in a timely fashion.
• Prepares written strategies for top tier prospects and solicitation materials, including proposals and executive summaries.
• Staffs academic leadership of various initiatives in their development meetings.
• Collaborates with development officers and administrators of key University Initiatives to develop compelling gift opportunities at various dollar values for prospects interested in these areas.
• Serves as an ambassador/liaison to other Columbia development staff, ensuring they are well-informed about University Initiatives, allowing them to identify prospects within their pool who might be interested in supporting these areas.
• Support donor/volunteer boards of these University Initiatives as needed, including planning and running regular board meetings, recruiting new members, etc.
• Performs related duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; five to seven years development experience (primarily in major gifts) or other related experience in an academic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively leverage senior administrators and faculty, and demonstrated success in all phases of personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding large gifts from individuals.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Must have the ability to present complex information in a clear and compelling manner.
• Flexibility and the demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, effectively handling multiple projects simultaneously while dealing with ambiguity.
• The capacity to clearly communicate Columbia's mission required.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience working closely with faculty and academic programs.
• Previous board and volunteer management experience.
• Experience navigating complex, matrixed institutions and working across units/schools.

Other Requirements

• Subject to business needs, the Office of Alumni and Development supports a hybrid work arrangement for this position. Options will be discussed during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.