Director, Alumni Giving, Columbia College Fund

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

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Columbia College Fund, the Director, Alumni Giving joins a highly motivated, mission-drive and collaborative culture. The incumbent is responsible for leading a team of frontline fundraisers raising critical funds for Columbia College. This role requires strong management and communication skills as well as the ability to function as part of a complex organization.

Responsibilities

Development Strategy and Management :

• Responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of the alumni giving to the Columbia College Fund and the day-to-day management of the Alumni Giving team.
• Assists in the implementation of a comprehensive, alumni giving fundraising program aligned with the strategic vision and priorities of the Executive Director.
• Leads strategy for reunion fundraising; identifies opportunities for leveraging committee leadership and gift and campaign opportunities to maximize participation and dollars raised from reunion class years.
• Manages resources for reunion fundraising committee management and support.
• Collects data that helps fund officers' support committee fundraising efforts.
• Hosts monthly meetings of reunion committee managers to provide real time feedback and create consistencies for reunion fundraising work.
• Directs, trains, counsels, monitors and evaluates performance including developing reunion class and individual prospect assignments with the team, assisting with solicitation strategies and establishing goals.
• Champions the professional development of direct reports.
• In consultation with the Executive Director, develops fundraising strategies and implements and directs fundraising programs for assigned classes and affinity groups.
• Works with the Executive Director and the Senior Associate Director, CC / A&S Development Strategy to track and monitor the performance of the program and staff and develop strategies to acquire new donors and develop / maintain a prospect pipeline.
• Helps to establish goals for each class and strategies for achieving them for his / her classes and those of the alumni giving team.
• With the Executive Director, has managerial oversight of the solicitation, tracking and cultivation of alumni gifts to Columbia College for his / her classes and those of the their team.
• Works with the Director of Development and Alumni Relations Marketing and Senior Associate Director, CC / A&S Development Strategy to coordinate solicitations and communications to alumni at-large and key volunteer constituencies.
• May represent the Executive Director at various meetings with College and external constituencies, as assigned.
• Supports the Executive Director and staff in the development of strategic initiatives.

Prospect Management :

• Manages a portfolio of 100-150 prospects capable of making annual leadership gifts, as well as a portfolio of reunion and non-reunion classes.
• Makes personal solicitations, writes proposals and appeals, negotiates gifts, stewards the prospect relationship, and reports on visits and solicitation activities.
• Recruits and oversees reunion committee members and committees in partnership with Alumni Relations team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required.

A minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in development fundraising or a related field required.

Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication and organization skills required.

Must be proactive, creative, problem solver and have strong staff management and team building skills.

Computer proficiency and a demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team essential.

Position will require many evening and weekend assignments and possible travel.

• Applications submitted without a resume and cover letter will not be reviewed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience fundraising in a higher education setting preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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