Director of Development

Columbia University Irving Medical Center; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) is seeking a strategic fundraiser to join the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Office of Development. You will manage a portfolio of about 150 major gift prospects, partnering with faculty and leadership to secure substantial philanthropic support for research, patient care, and medical education.

You will staff senior leaders, contribute to proposals and stewardship materials, and drive donor engagement across departments to meet

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with four years related fundraising experience.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in health care or higher education environment preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication; strong interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage portfolio of 150 donors; solicit gifts of $50k+ and $100k+; prepare letters and proposals.
• Serve as liaison to multiple departments; coordinate CAC/UAC meetings.
• Develop programs to expand donor base through events and targeted outreach.
• Participate in prospect assessment, set annual fundraising objectives with leadership.

Skills

Excellent written communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Grade 105

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $120,000 - $125,000

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 Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Office of Development (VPS 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.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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