Major Gifts Officer, General Studies and Arts & Sciences

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary:
  Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard
  
  Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $115,000 - $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.

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 Columbia’s student support initiative to raise $1.4 billion in financial aid funding, and supports all other General Studies and Arts & Sciences fundraising initiatives.

This position will collaborate with University officials, faculty, the Deputy Vice President for Development, campaign volunteers, and colleagues throughout the Alumni Relations and Development community.

• Identifies, cultivates and solicits alumni, parents and friends of the School of General Studies and Columbia College and 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 attend events which facilitate contact with prospects.
• Works in a highly collaborative environment; members of the Major Gifts team have opportunities to engage with faculty, participate in project teams, and manage 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 Relations and Development objectives and build partnerships leading to increased major gift production.
• Works closely with the Dean’s Office of the School of General Studies, and along with the Executive Director of Major Gifts, acts as primary General Studies development lead for Major Gifts in the Office of Alumni Relations & Development.
• Officers may be asked to perform related tasks as needed.

• A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of fundraising or related development experience.
• Must have demonstrated success in achieving fundraising goals and managing high-level donor relationships.
• Possess a proven 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.
• Demonstrated excellence in a variety of competencies including: project management, teamwork, analytical thinking, and client/customer awareness.
• Must possess the ability work with changing priorities and multiple projects.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office 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.
• Some evening work required.

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

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

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