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Columbia University

Assistant Director, Columbia College Fund

🇺🇸 Morningside, NY

🕑 Full-Time

💰 $70K - $72K

💻 Development & Advancement

🗓️ October 23rd, 2025

Edtech.com's Summary

Columbia College is hiring an Assistant Director, Columbia College Fund. The role focuses on organizing and executing fundraising activities, managing alumni donor relationships, and collaborating with marketing and alumni teams to drive donor engagement and meet annual fund goals.

Highlights
  • Lead fundraising efforts including organizing class meetings, coordinating committees, and managing reunion fundraising for assigned classes.
  • Maintain and solicit a prospect list of approximately 300 alumni donors through various communication methods.
  • Recruit and manage volunteers and reunion committee members to support fundraising initiatives.
  • Serve as liaison to Columbia College Young Alumni and assist in engaging Young Leaders Council members.
  • Manage day-to-day operations of annual fund marketing in partnership with central marketing team and implement multi-channel marketing strategies.
  • Oversee major campaigns such as Giving Day and spring challenges, including strategy development and logistics coordination.
  • Required skills include strong writing, communication, interpersonal, organizational skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Office.
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent with 2-4 years of relevant experience required.
  • Position involves evening and weekend work and possible travel.
  • Preferred experience includes fundraising in a higher education setting.

Assistant Director, Columbia College Fund Full Description

  • Job Type: Officer of Administration
  • Bargaining Unit:
  • Regular/Temporary: Regular
  • End Date if Temporary:
  • Hours Per Week: 35
  • Standard Work Schedule:
  • Building:
  • Salary Range: $70,000 - $72,000 Annually
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
Reporting to the Director, Alumni Giving joins a highly motivated, mission-drive and collaborative culture. The incumbent is responsible for raising critical funds for Columbia College. This role requires strong organizational and communication skills as well as the ability to function as part of a complex organization.

Responsibilities
  • Assumes responsibility for a wide range of fundraising activities: organizes class meetings and class committees, coordinates class fundraising efforts for assigned classes, including at least two reunion classes each year.
  • Guides reunion committees in partnership with the Alumni Relations team.           
  • Manages a prospect list of approximately 300 alumni donors. Solicits gifts through in-person and virtual meetings and by phone. Develops and supervises class mailings. Travels as needed.
  • Recruits and manages reunion committee members. Identifies, recruits, and cultivates other volunteers for fundraising and volunteer solicitations.
  • Serves as the Columbia College Fund liaison to Columbia College Young Alumni (CCYA).
  • Collaborates with the Senior Associate Director, Columbia College Fund to engage current and identify new members for the Young Leaders Council. Contributes to planning and executing key young alumni fundraising events, as needed.
  • In partnership with a designated liaison from the central marketing team, manages the day-to-day operations of the annual fund marketing strategy.
  • Works with internal and external constituencies to develop and implement multi-channel, data-driven marketing strategies to cultivate donors to Columbia College.
  • Oversees the College’s major campaigns, including Giving Day and the School’s spring challenge. Develops campaign strategy and coordinate logistics across organizational teams and levels.
  • Works with other members of the Columbia College Fund staff to meet Annual Fund goals.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent required.  
  • A minimum of two to four years of relevant experience required. 
  • Strong writing, communication, interpersonal and organization skills required and a familiarity with Microsoft Office is necessary.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team is essential.
*Position will require many evening and weekend assignments and possible travel.*
**Applications submitted without a resume and cover letter will not be reviewed.**

Preferred Qualifications
Experience with fundraising in a higher education setting preferred.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.