Major Gifts Officer, Columbia College, Arts & Sciences

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $110,000 - $120,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

The Arts & Sciences Major Gifts team discovers, engages, cultivates, and solicits major gift prospects to support Columbia College, General Studies, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Intercollegiate Athletics, and the Faculty of Arts & Sciences. Reporting to the Executive Director of Major Gifts, Arts & Sciences, the Major Gifts Officer serves as a key member of a dynamic fundraising team and is responsible for moving a portfolio of 150 prospects through the complete giving cycle: validation, engagement, cultivation, solicitation, gift negotiation, and stewardship. The Major Gifts team plays a vital role in the fundraising success of Arts & Sciences, Columbia College, and Intercollegiate Athletics, and will support all related fundraising initiatives. This position will collaborate with University officials, faculty, the Deputy Vice President for Development, campaign volunteers, and colleagues throughout the Alumni and Development community.

Responsibilities

• Identifies, cultivates, and solicits alumni, parents, and friends of Columbia College & Arts & Sciences.
• Conducts a minimum of 150 personal visits annually to cultivate and solicit prospects and close gifts.
• Completes a minimum of 15 major gifts asks, 25 leadership annual fund asks and 10 planned giving conversations on an annual basis.
• Conducts regular validation meetings with prospects and alumni who have not been visited previously to help determine giving potential and opportunities for engagement. Designs and develops cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Manages prospect relationships to enhance continued and increased support and attends events to facilitate contact with prospects.
• Works in a highly collaborative environment; engages with faculty, participates in project teams, and manages volunteers.
• Major Gift portfolios include both New York and regional assignments involving travel.
• Ensures maintenance of all records in the Advance database in a timely fashion.
• Prepares solicitation materials, including proposals and executive summaries.
• Partners actively with campus colleagues to advance Office of Alumni and Development objectives and build partnerships leading to increased major gift production.
• Performs related tasks as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree required and a minimum of five (5) years of fundraising or related development experience.
• Must have a demonstrated success in achieving fundraising goals and managing high-level donor relationships.
• Ability to present complex information in a clear and compelling manner is essential.
• The capacity to clearly comprehend and communicate the University's mission and ongoing initiatives is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment. Must possess the ability to work with changing priorities and multiple projects.
• Demonstrated excellence in a variety of competencies including project management, teamwork, analytical thinking, and client/customer awareness.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office is required.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including a high level of attention to detail and active listening skills.
• Must be able to problem-solve and troubleshoot, in addition to the ability to work independently in a dynamic team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively partner with a diverse group of administrators and academic leaders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Prior experience in a not-for-profit, or similarly complex organization, is preferred.

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.
• Some evening work is required.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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

Commitment to Diversity

Columbia University is dedicated to increasing diversity in its workforce, its student body, and its educational programs. Achieving continued academic excellence and creating a vibrant university community require nothing less. In fulfilling its mission to advance diversity at the University, Columbia seeks to hire, retain, and promote exceptionally talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.