Discovery Officer, Major Gifts & Alumni Engagement

Columbia University in the City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia University in the City of the City of New York is seeking a Discovery Officer to strengthen its major gifts pipeline by identifying, engaging, and qualifying prospects with the capacity to make philanthropy commitments. The role focuses on alumni, parents, friends, and other constituents newly identified as major gift prospects and not yet fully qualified.

Reporting to the Global Development Officer, you will apply research, engagement history, and a structured discovery process to

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of related fundraising or donor relations experience.
• Experience in university advancement, alumni relations, or nonprofit development preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify, engage, and support qualification of prospective donors.
• Assess philanthropic potential and recommend qualification status within discovery and portfolio processes.
• Strengthen Columbia University’s donor base and long-term fundraising growth.

Skills

Prospect research

Donor relations

Alumni engagement

Portfolio management

Fundraising

Job description

Columbia University in the City of the City of New York is seeking a Discovery Officer to strengthen its major gifts pipeline by identifying, engaging, and qualifying prospects with the capacity to make philanthropy commitments. The role focuses on alumni, parents, friends, and other constituents newly identified as major gift prospects and not yet fully qualified.

Reporting to the Global Development Officer, you will apply research, engagement history, and a structured discovery process to