The Individual Giving team is a critical component of Columbia Business School’s vision for the future with responsibility for stewardship of donors up to $250,000.  Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director is responsible for strategy, operations, and management of the School’s leadership donor club (“The Hermes Society”) and annual funds. Additionally, the Director manages a portfolio of approximately 150 leadership donors (gifts of $2,500 or more) through visits, phone calls, and other forms of personalized outreach.  The Director also maintains key relationships in the School; at the University-level; and among alumni.

The Director is expected to be a collaborative member of the Individual Giving team and will manage five full-time employees, student workers, and part-time/casual employees.  The individual will meet core and partnership values of teamwork, integrity, accountability, and respect.

Responsibilities: 

• In conjunction with the Executive Director of Individual Giving, lead all aspects of the School’s leadership donor cultivation and annual fund solicitation.  Partner with the Executive Director to develop annual fund and leadership giving strategies based on historical donor behaviors, empirical data, industry trends and available institutional resources.  Work with a team of colleagues who will assist in setting individual donor outreach and solicitation goals.  35%
• Maintain a portfolio of approximately 150 Hermes Society level donors and potential high-capacity donors.  Annually conduct at least 120 prospect meetings and 150 leadership asks.  Portfolio management may include at least one region outside of the NY/tri-state area (domestic or international) and at least two annual trips to assigned region(s).  30%
• Manage five frontline fundraising gift officers, providing guidance and coaching for cultivation of the Hermes Society, the Hermes Society Council, and Columbia Giving Day.  Train team members on best practices in frontline fundraising (discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship) and fundraising project management.  20%
• Partner with the Executive Director of Individual Giving to support other projects related to unrestricted giving growth, including, but not limited to, Reunion, Columbia Giving Day, and global alumni engagements (e.g. Pan-Euro Forum, Pan-Asia Forum, etc.).  15%

Minimum Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s degree required.  Advanced degree preferred.  Minimum of five years related experience required.

Must have demonstrated excellent written, oral, and presentation skills.  Highly detail oriented required.  Must be creative, persuasive, and self-motivated with the ability to work autonomously and under time constraints and oversee diverse projects simultaneously.  Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, Google suite, and donor databases.  Strong analytical skills necessary.  Collegial perspective and customer focused.  Availability to work nights and a few weekends a year to staff Reunion events and other Business School gatherings.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Campaign experience.  Five years frontline fundraising experience or equivalent sales or marketing experience with a proven track record of closing five-figure or higher gifts preferred.  Prior supervisory experience preferred.  Project and volunteer management experience desired.  Higher education experience desired.  Familiarity with Columbia University and Columbia Business School.  Working knowledge of event management and donor relations.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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