Reporting to the Associate Dean, Alumni and Development, at the Graduate School of Journalism, the Major Gift Officer focuses on identifying, cultivating and soliciting alumni, parents, foundations and friends of Columbia with the capacity to make gifts in the $100,000 to $3,000,000 range. The Major Gift Officer is responsible for a portfolio of up to 150 individuals and foundations. Serves as a key member of a dynamic fund-raising team, the Major Gift Officer is responsible for moving gift prospects through the complete giving cycle: validation, engagement, cultivation, solicitation, gift/grant negotiation and stewardship.  In collaboration with the Associate Dean, identify priorities for fundraising focus.

Responsibilities: 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• (80%)
  • Conducts a minimum of 150 personal visits annually to identify, cultivate and solicit prospects and close gifts. Annually fulfill a minimum of 15 major gifts,10 leadership level asks and five planned giving conversations.
  • Conducts regular validation meetings with prospects who have not been visited previously to help determine giving potential and opportunities for engagement.
  • Manages prospect relationships to enhance continued and increased support and attend events which facilitate contact with prospects.
  • Develops written strategies for top tier prospects and solicitation materials, including proposals and executive summaries.
• (15%)
  • Interfaces and collaborate with administrators and faculty to understand Journalism School priorities works with them on meetings, solicitations and gifts.  Engage with Faculty and participate in project teams, as part of a highly collaborative environment.
  • Participates in team meetings to track and discuss major gift prospects.
  • Acts as a Graduate School of Journalism liaison to other development professionals and departments within the University.
• (5%)
  • Prepares contact reports and manages updated donor records in the Advance database.
  • Performs other related tasks and special projects as required.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of four years of fundraising or related experience is required.
• Computer proficiency (Word, Excel, Google Suite) required. Some evening and weekend work, and travel, is required.
• Must have effective writing and presentation skills and be a persuasive advocate for Journalism School priorities.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including a high level of attention to detail and be an active listener.
• Must be able to problem-solve and troubleshoot, and work independently in a dynamic team environment.
• A demonstrated ability to effectively partner with a diverse group of administrators and academic leaders is necessary.
• Must be able to negotiate issues, resolve problems and have strong influencing skills.
• The successful candidate must be a strategic thinker, diplomatic and discerning, with sound judgment and a collaborative style that fosters teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• An advanced degree preferred, as is experience or a strong interest in journalism.

Columbia University is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating and supporting a community diverse in every way: race, ethnicity, geography, religion, academic and extracurricular interest, family circumstance, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic background and more.