Officer of Major Gifts

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director, Major Gifts, 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 $10,000,000. The incumbent 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 Dean’s Senior Leadership, the Vice Dean for Advancement and Alumni Relations, 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.

• Prospect Cultivation, Solicitation & Stewardship 45%: Responsible for conducting 150 personal visits over 12 months to cultivate, solicit, steward, and close gifts, in addition to cold calls and planned giving gifts
• Manage an active portfolio of 150 prospects, ensuring consistent follow-up and relationship building to enhance continued and increased support.
• Must have demonstrated success in achieving fundraising goals and managing high-level donor relationships.
• Prepares written solicitation materials, proposals, talking points, and briefings tailored to individual donors and prospects.
• School MGO's attend prospect meetings with the Dean of the School, schedule meetings, brief the Dean before the meetings, and draft follow-up communications for the Dean.
• Travel as required to advance relationships and meet portfolio goals.
• Strategic Planning, Portfolio & Research Management 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.
• Sets ambitious and achievable targets for growing the major gift pipeline over time to match Columbia Engineering’s exciting growth priorities, including a $1B+ capital campaign, an exciting School expansion to Manhattanville, and plans for its next broadercampaign.
• Regularly review and refine the portfolio to align with institutional priorities and maximize philanthropic potential.
• Collaboration with Faculty, Leadership & Development Teams 20%: Partners and coordinates actively with campus colleagues to advance Office of Alumni and Development and/or school objectives and build partnerships leading to increased major gift production and to ensure a unified, strategic approach to donor engagement.
• Partners and collaborates effectively with administrators and faculty to understand School/University priorities, works with them on meetings, solicitations and gifts.
• Builds internal relationships with administrators and faculty across the School and campus to understand School and University priorities. Attends related meetings.
• Participate in regular team meetings to evaluate progress and adjust strategies as needed.
• Events, Donor Engagement & Other Duties 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.
• Collaborates on other events across the school’s important communities key to facilitating engagement as needed.
• EDAR also engages volunteer donors in its fundraising efforts. As needed, Major Gifts Officer may be responsible for leading/assisting, planning, and executing the work of additional donor boards and committees as assigned across EDAR donor constituencies.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.