Major Gift Officer, SEAS

Edtech.com's Summary

Columbia University is hiring a Major Gift Officer for the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS). The role involves identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors capable of making major gifts, managing a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects, and collaborating with university leadership and development teams to meet fundraising goals.

Highlights

Manage a portfolio of about 150 major gift prospects with capacity from $250,000 to $2,500,000.
Conduct approximately 150 personal visits annually and complete at least 15 major gift solicitations per year.
Develop and implement strategic solicitation plans and maintain detailed records in the Advance database.
Collaborate with SEAS faculty, senior leadership, and development staff to align donor engagement with institutional priorities.
Attend and organize events to enhance donor relations and fundraising efforts.
Experience required: minimum five years related experience; advanced degree preferred.
Strong writing, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are essential.
Proficiency in strategic planning, donor research, and fundraising related software (Advance database) is expected.
Salary range from $110,000 to $125,000 based on qualifications and experience.
Position requires travel including significant West Coast travel and availability for evening and weekend work.

Major Gift Officer, SEAS 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: $110,000 to $125,000

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.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) Major Gift Officer identifies, cultivates and solicits alumni, parents and friends of Columbia Engineering with the capacity to make gifts in the range of $250,000 to $2,500,000. The Major Gift Officer is responsible for a portfolio of approximately 150 individuals in their portfolio. They will also design and develop solicitation strategies, personally solicit and close gifts, and continually steward and cultivate donors. The incumbent is a collaborative team player who will work closely with the Dean, the Deanâs Senior Leadership, the Vice Dean for Advancement, the Columbia Engineering Development and Alumni Relations (EDAR) team, and others at Columbia University Office of Alumni and Development (OAD) to identify priorities and execute our fundraising goals. The incumbent must have effective writing and presentation skills and be a persuasive advocate for Engineering priorities. They are a member of the Engineering Development and Alumni Relations team and help raise money for School priorities.

Responsibilities

1. Prospect Cultivation, Solicitation & Stewardship â 45%

Conduct 150 personal visits annually to cultivate, solicit, and close major gifts.
Manage an active portfolio of prospects, ensuring consistent follow-up and relationship building to enhance continued and increased support.
Complete a minimum of 15 major gift solicitations per year.
Prepare written solicitation materials, proposals, talking points, and briefings tailored to individual donors and prospects.
Travel as required (with significant West Coast travel anticipated) to advance relationships and meet portfolio goals.

2. Strategic Planning, Portfolio & Research Management â 25%

Conduct ongoing prospect research to identify and qualify new potential donors.
Develop and implement strategic cultivation and solicitation plans for each assigned prospect.
Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive contact reports and activity records in the Advance database.
Regularly review and refine the portfolio to align with institutional priorities and maximize philanthropic potential.

3. Collaboration with Faculty, Leadership & Development Teams â 20%

Partner with SEAS administrators and faculty to understand funding priorities and translate them into donor engagement opportunities.
Coordinate with Office of Alumni and Development (OAD) and Engineering Development and Alumni Relations (EDAR) colleagues to ensure a unified, strategic approach to donor engagement.
Participate in regular team meetings to evaluate progress and adjust strategies as needed.

4. Events, Donor Engagement & Other Duties â 10%

Attend and support events that facilitate prospect and donor contact.
Plan and execute small development events to engage key donors and prospects.
Prepare event briefings, correspondence, and follow-up communications.
Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required. Advanced degree desirable.
A minimum of five years of related experience is required. Excellent writing and communication skills, tact, sensitivity and mature judgment are required.
Must be professional, organized, creative and efficient, able to work successfully, both individually and as part of a team. This position requires evening and weekend work and travel as necessary. Â

Preferred Qualifications

Five to seven years in fundraising or related transferable experience preferred, with demonstrated success in annual or capital giving or applicable ability.
Experience with higher education preferred.Â
Having an intellectual interest in engineering and technology would be helpful.Â Â Â

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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

Original Job 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: $110,000 to $125,000

Position Summary

Responsibilities

1. Prospect Cultivation, Solicitation & Stewardship â 45%

Conduct 150 personal visits annually to cultivate, solicit, and close major gifts.
Manage an active portfolio of prospects, ensuring consistent follow-up and relationship building to enhance continued and increased support.
Complete a minimum of 15 major gift solicitations per year.
Prepare written solicitation materials, proposals, talking points, and briefings tailored to individual donors and prospects.
Travel as required (with significant West Coast travel anticipated) to advance relationships and meet portfolio goals.

2. Strategic Planning, Portfolio & Research Management â 25%

Conduct ongoing prospect research to identify and qualify new potential donors.
Develop and implement strategic cultivation and solicitation plans for each assigned prospect.
Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive contact reports and activity records in the Advance database.
Regularly review and refine the portfolio to align with institutional priorities and maximize philanthropic potential.

3. Collaboration with Faculty, Leadership & Development Teams â 20%

Partner with SEAS administrators and faculty to understand funding priorities and translate them into donor engagement opportunities.
Coordinate with Office of Alumni and Development (OAD) and Engineering Development and Alumni Relations (EDAR) colleagues to ensure a unified, strategic approach to donor engagement.
Participate in regular team meetings to evaluate progress and adjust strategies as needed.

4. Events, Donor Engagement & Other Duties â 10%

Attend and support events that facilitate prospect and donor contact.
Plan and execute small development events to engage key donors and prospects.
Prepare event briefings, correspondence, and follow-up communications.
Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required. Advanced degree desirable.
A minimum of five years of related experience is required. Excellent writing and communication skills, tact, sensitivity and mature judgment are required.
Must be professional, organized, creative and efficient, able to work successfully, both individually and as part of a team. This position requires evening and weekend work and travel as necessary. Â

Preferred Qualifications

Five to seven years in fundraising or related transferable experience preferred, with demonstrated success in annual or capital giving or applicable ability.
Experience with higher education preferred.Â
Having an intellectual interest in engineering and technology would be helpful.Â Â Â

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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

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Major Gift Officer, SEAS

Edtech.com's Summary

Major Gift Officer, SEAS Full Description

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