Director of Development

Columbia University
United States, New York, New York
Aug 09, 2025
Job Type: Officer of Administration Bargaining Unit: Regular/Temporary: Regular End Date if Temporary: Hours Per Week: 35 Standard Work Schedule: Building: Salary Range: $115,000 - $120,000 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. The Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Office of Development (VP&S 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. Position Summary The incumbent will join a leading fundraising operation within Columbia, which raises $200M annually, and work with world-renowned faculty in the Department of Medicine, the largest department of VP&S and the cornerstone of one of the nation's largest and most robust academic medical centers. The incumbent will report to the Executive Director of Development and will manage multi-level assignments, serve as internal and external liaison to CUIMC as it relates to the Department of Medicine and several other clinical departments and areas. The incumbent will work closely with the Executive Director of Development and colleagues on the team on joint projects with overlapping faculty and/or donor interests. The incumbent will manage a robust portfolio of major gift donors and prospects consisting of corporations, foundations and individuals; develop strategies and cultivate relationships that lead to solicitation and stewardship of major gifts; serve as liaison to the divisions, centers, institutes & programs as assigned; and participate in prospect discovery, assessment and assignment processes and annually prepare objectives for the upcoming academic year. Responsibilities Manage a portfolio of 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. - 40% Serve as a liaison to faculty in the Department of Medicine, the Transplant Initiative, the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and other areas within Health Sciences, as assigned. - 40% Participate in prospect, discovery assessment and assignment processes. - 10% Annually prepare objectives for the upcoming academic year (e.g. dollars to be raised, solicitations planned, and cultivation/stewardship activities) to discuss with Executive Director of Development so that mutually agreed criteria can be established. - 5% 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 Management and administrative skills required to motivate, direct and evaluate staff and volunteers to accomplish fundraising goals Proven ability to work successfully in a campaign environment with major gift solicitation 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, with a high level of independent decision-making Excellent written and oral skills plus interpersonal, organizational and analytical skills required 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.