Job Description
Position Summary
The Assistant Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship is an integral member of Columbia University’s Office of Strategic Donor Relations and Stewardship team. The Assistant Director will project manage, edit, and draft targeted stewardship communications and narrative reports and strategically steward Columbia's most generous donors through special projects such as stewardship events, milestone recognition, and bespoke gifts.
Reporting to the Deputy Director of Stewardship, the Assistant Director will be responsible for building positive working relationships with internal stakeholders and generating meaningful stewardship and engagement opportunities.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
- Project managing, researching, and producing narrative impact reports for principal/major-gift donors of endowed funds from schools/units across the University, along with professorship establishment letters and other key communications
- Partnering with diverse constituent groups-including principal gift officers, senior administrators (including Offices of the Provost and President), faculty, and students to execute assigned projects and support fundraising goals
- Providing counsel to colleagues in Arts and Sciences and cultivating and maintaining relationships with prospect managers and other key staff to further personalize stewardship communications and activities
- Leveraging data to inform projects and utilizing Advance database to track interactions with donors and store information on named funds
- Monitoring and managing stewardship activities for interdisciplinary and interschool giving
- Developing and implementing protocols to maintain and improve existing stewardship efforts
- Planning and executing stewardship and donor recognition events
- Identifying and generating engagement opportunities and new initiatives to enhance donor experience
- Assist the Deputy Director with duties related to developing and fostering strategic direction of University-wide stewardship
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and/or its equivalents required. Minimum 3-5 years related experience.
Must have superlative communication, writing, and project management skills, as well as a strong understanding of the development process, particularly in the areas of major-gift cultivation and stewardship. Must be able to work independently and with teams, balance competing priorities and assignments, and collaborate effectively with colleagues, exhibiting diplomacy and excellent interpersonal skills. Must have a strong personal work ethic and demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and integrity. Must be flexible and willing to take on new responsibilities within a growing program.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel required; knowledge of Advance or similar development databases preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in event planning and data management preferred.
Other Requirements
Subject to business needs, the Office of Alumni and Development supports a hybrid work arrangement for this position. Options will be discussed during the interview process.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.