Donor Relations Manager

Columbia University in the City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia University in the City of New York seeks a Donor Relations Manager to elevate and scale its donor relations program. The role focuses on design of recognition, reporting, and engagement to strengthen retention, deepen donor relationships, and grow the school’s fundraising pipeline.

You will work with frontline gift officers and across the Office of Development and Alumni Relations to maximize donor engagement.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle highly sensitive prospect information discreetly.
• Ability to manage relationships across departments and the university.
• Ability to work in a high-volume environment with multiple responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of donor relations strategies in consultation with the Senior Director and gift officers.
• Project manage and produce narrative stewardship and impact reports for major donors and foundations.
• Oversee donor acknowledgement programs across digital and physical platforms.
• Assist with annual scholarship matching and donor record maintenance in development and financial aid databases.
• Plan and execute donor recognition events and activities with team members.
• Identify engagement opportunities and implement donor stewardship improvements.
• Monitor grant and foundation activity for compliance and reporting to Finance and PIs.
• Collaborate with university centers to report research to donors.
• Prepare donor narratives, budgets, and ancillary materials for proposals.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Discretion

Organizational skills

CRM experience

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

CRM database

Job description

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building: Pulitzer Hall
• Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000

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 Donor Relations Manager reports to the Senior Director of Development and is responsible for elevating and scaling the school’s established donor relations program. This role ensures that recognition, reporting, and engagement efforts are thoughtfully designed to strengthen retention, deepen relationships, build the school’s pipeline of donors, and support sustained philanthropic growth. Working in consultation with frontline development officers, the incumbent will drive donor relations for different constituencies including individual donors, foundations, endowment and legacy donors. This individual is responsible for a broad range of duties including gift and grant reporting, donor acknowledgement and communications, and supporting the team in development events and board engagement as appropriate. With the goal of increasing fundraising revenue, engaging donor constituents, and enhancing relationships, the Manager will work with staff across the Office of Development and Alumni Relations and the university to implement strategies that will maximize donor engagement and impact.

Responsibilities

Support the implementation of donor relations strategies in consultation with the Senior Director and gift officers. Partner with gift officers in alignment with the school’s priorities. Active stewardship of all donors, including endowment donors, foundation, and leadership, major, and principal gift donors, with a particular focus on the stewardship of the school’s scholarship donors

Project manage, research, and produce narrative stewardship and impact reports for major and principal gift individual donors and foundations.

In collaboration with the Alumni and Development Administrator and the Leadership Gift Officer, manage the regular donor acknowledgment program across digital and physical platforms. Provide strategic input on best practices for acknowledging and stewarding donors to increase donor retention, for example by building out a first/initial time donor journey.

Support the annual scholarship matching process in collaboration with the school’s Office of Financial Aid and provide guidance on the administration of scholarships in accordance with donor intent. Maintain donor relations records in the development and financial aid databases.

Support the planning and execution of donor recognition events and activities in collaboration with other team members.

Identify and manage engagement opportunities and new initiatives to enhance donor experience. Develop and implement protocols, recommending improvements and implementing approved practices, to maintain and improve existing stewardship efforts.

Manage and monitor grant and foundation activity for compliance. Work closely with Finance and PIs to prepare narrative and financial reports for foundations.

Work closely with the school’s centers to ensure the reporting of important research to their donors.

Work closely with colleagues to prepare gift and grant proposal narratives, budgets and ancillary materials.

Work closely with the associate dean for advancement, the dean of the school, and the academic dean to steward and engage Board of Visitors and Columbia Journalism Review Board of Overseers.

Perform other related duties as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree and/or its equivalent required.

Experience: Minimum 2-4 years related experience.

Excellent verbal, written and organizational skills. Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential prospect information discreetly. Able to manage relationships with colleagues in other departments and across the university. Ability to work in a high-volume environment managing multiple responsibilities. Good follow through and attention to detail are essential. Excellent computer skills required.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with CRM database management helpful.

Experience in development, particularly in higher education, preferred.

Other Requirements

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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