• Job Type: Support Staff - Union
• Bargaining Unit: Local 2110
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $55,805 - $55,805

Position Summary

The Data Management department supports the broader Office of Alumni and Development (OAD) in maintaining and enriching the quality of the constituent biographic data relevant to alumni relations and university development. This team is responsible for data entry, maintenance, and integrity in this domain in support of the mission of the university and the specific needs of its various schools and units.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Data Management, the Development Assistant is an important member of the Data Management team with responsibility for supporting the integrity of the Athena platform, the system of records containing all Alumni and Donor profiles. The Development Assistant accurately inputs all required information and data collected into Athena.

Responsibilities

• Identifies related trends and patterns on bio-related audits, data duplicates, and other errors and escalates to the Director of Data Management.
• Provides ongoing appropriate interdepartmental communication and suggestions to any other team members.
• Compares data and information and makes accurate interpretations about the types of necessary information to be added to Athena for the Director’s review; based on the information gathered, avails web services to verify and enhance data received.
• Provides comprehensive assistance to the team as needed and when appropriate.
• Ensures the smooth transfer of all relevant data; assists in database integrity activities for the greater development and alumni relations community, to the end of understanding the specific business needs being addressed.
• Identifies, articulates, and highlights opportunities for increased efficiencies through more effective utilization of local database tools.
• Develops and maintains collaborative, collegial relationships with staff throughout the Office of Alumni and Development and the University community; supports the activity generated by data entered into the research profiles for Athena; handles customer contact in a manner that supports the objectives and performance goals of Data Management and the Office of Alumni and Development.
• Answers inquiries promptly and in a pleasant manner; determines resolution, or routes to appropriate business unit.
• Monitors the Salesforce ticketing system, responding to submitted tickets, or assigning the ticket to the appropriate person.
• Takes ownership of escalated inquiries and provides timely updates to customers.
• Assists members of the Data Management team by effectively providing feedback from customers.
• Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• A High School Diploma or its equivalent is required.
• A minimum of three (3) years of database management experience in a complex fund-raising environment is required.
• Prior experience with fund-raising processes, terminology, and application software is needed. Familiarity with Microsoft Office is required.
• Demonstrated excellence in a variety of competencies including project management, teamwork, analytical thinking, and client/customer awareness.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including a high level of attention to detail.
• Must be able to problem-solve and troubleshoot, in addition to the ability to work independently in a dynamic team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively partner with a diverse team.
• Must be able to discreetly negotiate issues, resolve problems, and have strong influencing skills.
• Must have a passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some college preferred.
• Salesforce knowledge is preferred, and experience with a large client base in a decentralized service environment is strongly preferred.  
• The successful candidate possesses an ability to work well with all levels of management, both internally and externally, be flexible in nature, and have sound judgment with a collaborative style that fosters teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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