Leadership Gift Officer, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building: Columbia Alumni Center
• Salary Range: $82,000 - $92,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Major Gifts, Arts & Sciences, the Leadership Gift Officer, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GSAS), identifies, cultivates, and solicits alumni and friends of GSAS for unrestricted and restricted gifts for financial aid, professional development, and new academic initiatives focused on master’s and doctoral students.

The Leadership Gift officer will play a pivotal role in Arts and Sciences fundraising, collaborating with Major Gift and Planned Giving Officers in the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, the Columbia Alumni Association staff, and colleagues throughout the University. The incumbent will partner with the Dean and senior leadership team within GSAS as warranted.

Responsibilities

• Under the guidance of and in collaboration with the Executive Director, manage a portfolio of approximately 300 prospects, developing and executing strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects throughout the donor lifecycle.
• Conduct 125–150 personal visits annually and work toward an individual annual fundraising goal of $1 million or more.
• In conjunction with the Executive Director, determine and execute new fundraising initiatives in support of the campaign and institutional priorities.
• Conduct ongoing discovery work to identify and qualify prospective donors, with particular attention to planned giving opportunities, including documenting bequest intentions and promoting other planned giving vehicles where appropriate.
• Conduct timely and strategic follow-up to sustain and advance prospect relationships, providing informed guidance and meaningful stewardship throughout the cultivation process.
• Support initiatives designed to sustain a productive annual fund on behalf of GSAS, partnering with Annual Fund Programs, Alumni Relations, and gift officers across the Office of Alumni Relations and Development.
• Serve as a persuasive ambassador for GSAS and Columbia University, effectively communicating institutional priorities and fostering a culture of philanthropy and relationship-building.
• Approach the work with self-motivation, strong organizational skills, collegiality, and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree is required, as well as a minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of related experience, preferably in fundraising or related transferable experience, with demonstrated success in annual or planned giving or applicable ability.
• The Leadership Gift Officer is expected to be self-motivated, well-organized, a collegial partner, possess an entrepreneurial spirit and, above all, a persuasive advocate for Columbia University's priorities.
• Must be professional, organized, creative and efficient, able to work successfully both individually and as part of a team.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, tact, sensitivity and mature judgment are required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience with higher education fundraising is also preferred.
• Preference given to candidates with a documented record of successfully closing gifts within or near the range of gifts expected from the incumbent.

Other Requirements

• This position requires evening and weekend work and travel as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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