Director of Development

Office of Development, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Office of Development (OOD) at Columbia University Irving Medical Center seeks a strategic fundraiser to advance philanthropic support for cancer-related programs and institutional priorities.

The incumbent will manage a portfolio of ~150 major gift prospects and donors, coordinating cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts, staff the SDOD/ESDOD, and collaborate across departments to exceed ambitious fundraising goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience, plus four years of related experience.
• Preferred: Master’s degree.
• At least four years of progressively responsible experience in development fundraising or a related field, preferably in health care or higher education.
• Excellent written and oral skills, plus interpersonal, organizational, and analytical abilities.
• Experience in campaigns with major gift solicitations and proficiency with fundraising software systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of ~150 major gift donors and prospects, developing strategies to solicit gifts of $50,000+ and major gifts of $100,000+.
• Staff senior leaders on principal level prospects and donor relations, coordinating moves with the Senior Director and Senior Executive Director.
• Lead donor engagement programs and events, including advisory councils and stewardship activities across departments.
• Collaborate across Urology, Dermatology, Radiation Oncology, Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, and Hematology & Oncology to meet fundraising goals.

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience

Job description

The Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Office of Development (OOD), a part of the Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), is dedicated to facilitating relationships that support the vision and mission of CUIMC and VP&S: to transform health by driving discovery, advancing care, and educating leaders.

Position Summary

The incumbent will join the VP&S fundraising team, a leading fundraising unit within Columbia University, raising $200M+ annually. This role offers the opportunity to partner with world renowned faculty and institutional leaders across the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S) to secure philanthropic support for transformative initiatives.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development (SDOD) and working closely with the Senior Executive Director of Development (ESDOD), the incumbent will manage a portfolio of approximately 150 major gift prospects and donors, developing and executing strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans to advance institutional priorities in groundbreaking research, patient care, and medical education as defined by leadership and key faculty. In addition, the incumbent will staff and support the SDOD and ESDOD on principal level prospects and donor relations and stewardship.

As a key fundraising partner to faculty and leadership across Urology, Dermatology, Radiation Oncology, Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, and Hematology & Oncology, the incumbent will drive donor engagement, advance complex fundraising initiatives, and expand philanthropic support, with a particular focus on major gift opportunities in cancer-related programs

Responsibilities include developing proposals and stewardship materials, leading cultivation activities, and events, engaging advisory and volunteer leaders, supporting two advisory councils, and collaborating across departments to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic, relationship-driven fundraiser to help shape the future of academic medicine and accelerate life-changing discoveries and patient care.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 150 donors consisting mainly of major gift donors and prospects. Conduct discovery in partnership with faculty and develop strategies and cultivate relationships that lead to solicitation and stewardship of gifts of $50,000 and above as well as major gifts of $100,000 and above. Prepare letters, briefings, proposals, and materials that will ultimately lead to the solicitation and stewardship of major gifts. Work with the Senior Director of Development and the Senior Executive Director of Development in moves management for team major & principal gift efforts. – 50%
• Serve as a liaison to the Departments of Urology, Dermatology, Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, Radiation Oncology, the Division of Hematology & Oncology, and internal and external groups including the Cancer Advisory Council (CAC) and the Department of Urology Advisory Council (UAC). Manage the quarterly & semi-annual meetings of the CAC & UAC respectively in partnership with the Senior Director of Development. – 30%
• Develop programs and strategies to expand the potential donor base, including communications, special events such as lectures and annual fundraisers, and outreach to suit specific needs and constituents. Draft thank you letters for department Chair and key faculty. Participate in the coordination of meetings, creation of materials and communications for fund solicitations. – 15%
• Participate in prospect assessment and research processes and assignment. Annually prepare objectives for the upcoming academic year (e.g., dollars to be raised, solicitations planned, and cultivation/stewardship activities) to discuss with Senior Director of Development so that mutually agreed criteria can be established; other duties and special projects as assigned. – 5%

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience, plus four years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred.

Other Requirements

• At least four years of progressively responsible experience in development fundraising or a related field, preferably in a health care or higher education environment.
• Excellent written and oral skills plus interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to work successfully in a campaign environment with major gift solicitations.
• Excellent knowledge of management information systems and software programs such as Microsoft Office and the integration of such programs with other donor-based gift records and systems.
• Ability to maintain a calm and professional demeanor with a high degree of sophistication.
• Highly motivated with excellent judgment and discretion, resilience, and with a high level of independent decision‑making.
• Excellent ability to set priorities and perform under pressure of fast paced office environment.
• This position requires work beyond regular hours, including evenings and weekends, as projects and events require.