Executive Director of Development

Columbia University Irving Medical Center's VP&S Office of Development is on the lookout for an inspiring Executive Director of Development to drive strategic fundraising initiatives.

Reporting jointly to the Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and the DVP for Development, VP&S, the Executive Director of Development will lead the fundraising program for the Department of Ophthalmology, working closely with departmental leadership, faculty, donors and volunteers. The Department of Ophthalmology is a leader in the nation, with a robust and successful fundraising history and the opportunity to build on this success. The Executive Director of Development will manage a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects consisting of corporations, foundations and individuals; work with departmental leadership to define fundraising priorities and identify donors; develop strategies and cultivate relationships that lead to solicitation and stewardship of major gifts; serve as a primary liaison to departmental faculty and administrators, and staff, cultivate and grow the Department’s well-established advisory board comprised of volunteers and donors.

Additional responsibilities include managing donor cultivation and stewardship activities in consultation with the Strategic Events team, managing the Department’s annual fund program in collaboration with the Annual Giving team, building and staffing the Board of Advisors, creating and managing stewardship needs and reporting in collaboration with the Communications and Strategic Events teams, and working with the Communications and Donor Relations team to develop and implement a communication strategy that includes the updating and/or creation of collateral materials. The Executive Director will also work with the Department of Ophthalmology team on the Viewpoint, the Department’s magazine that serves as a resource for donors. The Executive Director of Development will supervise a Development Associate.

Responsibilities

• Manage a 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 of $100,000 and above. Work with internal resources, including research and patient data team to identify and qualify new prospects. – 40
• Implement high-level fundraising strategy, including staffing Department Chair on major gifts prospects, including the development of briefings, strategy documents, proposals, prep and follow‐up materials and contact reports. – 20%
• Work with the annual fund team and communications and donor relations teams to manage and expand annual fund initiatives such as direct mail, newsletters and informational brochures, e‐solicitations, special appeals; annual fund donor cultivation and stewardship activities, and other duties as assigned. – 20%
• Oversee the production and management of assigned strategic events, including professorship celebrations, donor cultivation events, board meetings, and the coordination of stewardship initiatives, while serving as both internal and external liaison to Department Chair, faculty, and the advisory board. – 10%
• Annually prepare objectives for the upcoming academic year (e.g., dollars to be raised, solicitations planned, and cultivation/stewardship activities) to discuss with departmental leadership and the VP of Development so that mutually agreed criteria can be established. Supervisory responsibilities as assigned, including management of a dedicated Development Associate. Other duties and special projects as assigned. – 10%

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience, plus seven years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred.

Other Requirements

• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in development fundraising or a related field, preferably in a health care environment.
• Excellent written and oral skills plus interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Management and administrative skills required to motivate, direct and evaluate staff and volunteers to accomplish fundraising goals.
• Proven ability to work successfully in a busy and rigorous environment with major gift solicitations.
• Excellent knowledge of management information systems and software programs 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, discretion, and resilience, with a high level of independent decision‐making.
• Ability to maintain a high‐level of confidentiality and working relationships with others.
• 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.

Position Details

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Grade 107
• Salary Range: $190,000 - $210,000

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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