Position Summary

The Development and Grants Manager stewards important funding relationships with individual and institutional donors to Columbia Journalism School works with department fundraisers and faculty to prepare applications and proposals for gifts and grants, and project manages many aspects of the department’s work with the central office of Annual Fund Programs.   

The Development and Grants Manager is a crucial member of an eight-person team that regularly exceeds its fundraising goals and places importance on the excellent management of our relationships with donors, both individuals, and institutions. The incumbent will manage a suite of grants and gifts with responsibilities that include but are not limited to, advising and collaborating with faculty, the school’s finance department, central administrative offices, and frontline development staff to prepare grant proposal narratives, budgets, and ancillary materials; seeking internal approvals for these proposals and filing grant requests; maintaining good relationships with foundation grants officers, as well as with individual donors and their philanthropic advisors; reviewing and updating foundation pipeline, and writing proposals, LOIs, and reports.

This is an opportunity to work with all members of the Journalism School’s development team, with staff and faculty across this world-renowned school, and with our partners at central offices in research administration, stewardship, and beyond.  Additional responsibilities include assisting in preparing reports, briefings, broad-based communications, agendas, and related correspondence in connection with donors and potential donors. In performing their duties, the incumbent will interact frequently with colleagues, both faculty and staff, from across the school, and with colleagues in many central university offices. Professionalism, good judgment, and efficient management of issues are hallmarks of a qualified candidate. 

Responsibilities

• Manages and monitors grant activity for compliance.  Acts as liaison with faculty, Finance, and Sponsored Projects offices.  Working closely with colleagues, prepares and submits budgets and financial reports to foundations.

  • Acts as the school’s primary administrator of the research compliance and administration database including updating projects in the system and shepherding them through approval.

  • Stewards relationships with funders and ensures regular communication through phone, emails, in-person outreach, and meetings. Assists development colleagues with site visits and meetings. 

  • Speaks and acts authoritatively on grant administration matters as a representative of the school and university.

  • Creates and maintains tools to track programs and manage project updates. 

  • Works closely with leadership to develop and write drafts and letters of interest, proposals, and reports.  

  • Works with financial staff to prepare and submit budgets and financial reports to foundations 

  • Research available foundation opportunities that fit with institutional needs and priorities, maintain an annual calendar of deadlines and disseminate relevant information on grant opportunities.

  • Performs other related duties as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or its equivalent required. 

  Minimum 3-5 years of related experience required. 

  Working knowledge of financial budgets is required.

  Some evening and weekend work is required.

  Strong verbal and written communication skills are required.  Strong interpersonal skills and ability to handle confidential information with excellent judgment and discretion required. Demonstrated ability to set priorities and work with diplomacy and efficiency in a fast-paced environment.

  Demonstrated excellence in a variety of competencies including teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, flexibility, and excellent client/customer awareness. We seek someone with excellent organizational, and analytical skills including a high level of attention to detail, and active listening skills. The successful candidate must possess the ability to work independently and effectively partner with a diverse group of colleagues, including varying levels of management. 

  Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (with a special emphasis on Excel) and have the ability to use Google Docs/Sheets, as well as quickly learn new software programs as required.

   

   

Preferred Qualifications

Prior higher education or not-for-profit experience is preferred. 

Familiarity with fundraising and the desire to advance in development and external relations is strongly preferred. 

 A familiarity with communications and marketing software, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, a plus.

Other Requirements

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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