Job Description
POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Director of Development of the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, the Associate Director of Strategic Development Outreach and Programs will join the Zuckerman Institute at an extraordinary moment as it begins its second decade. A world-class neuroscience institute, the Zuckerman Institute brings together more than 850 researchers to study the mind and brain in ways that will lead to transformative discoveries.
The Associate Director is responsible for overseeing the programmatic and outreach initiatives designed to develop a prospect pipeline for the Zuckerman Institute, steward existing donors and volunteers, and raise general awareness of the Zuckerman Institute within the donor community in New York City and beyond.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
· Works collaboratively and creatively on the development of highly individualized touchpoints throughout the year for donor and volunteer relationships. This will include creating and developing relationships with other schools and initiatives to identify potentially successful collaborations; partnering with university academic officers, administrators, volunteers, and across various units with development officers throughout the alumni and development community to promote the strategic vision of the Zuckerman Institute; leading all efforts supporting the existing Brain Series programs, Stavros Niarchos Brain Insight Lecture Series programs, and high-level principal gifts science immersion experiences targeting prospective donors.
· Oversees the development and planning for the Zuckerman Institute's Brain Trust meetings. Working with the Director, identifies appropriate touchpoints and events that will move volunteers on the Brain Trust forward in their relationship with the Institute.
· Creates, develops, designs, and implements other innovative prospect engagement opportunities, including bringing prospects into the lab environment.
· Collaborates with the Unit’s internal and external communications teams to represent development priorities and needs with the goal of identifying new opportunities for prospect engagement. Drafts and collaborates with partners in OAD on e-solicitation strategies.
· Develops an events marketing strategy and system to maximize engagement efforts. Also develops a measurable evaluation and metrics system to evaluate success. Manages post event data with comparisons that indicate trends for future event planning. Innovates by creating new programs that strategically move the Unit’s goals forward to capitalize on exciting prospect opportunities.
· Manages, develops, and grows a range of new programing and outreach on behalf of the Institute to support new principal gift and major gift pipelines; builds relationships with an identified group of high-end university prospects on specifically directed complex initiatives that support the Zuckerman Institute and interdisciplinary fundraising efforts.
· In conjunction with the Director for Development, executes new fundraising initiatives in support of the Zuckerman Institute. Strategically works to broaden the Zuckerman Institute base of engagement to non-Columbia affiliated potential donors; performs additional duties and special projects as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A bachelor's degree and/or its equivalent, and a minimum of four (4) years of experience in event planning, program development, development, fundraising, or related field are required. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office necessary. Must possess strong analytical and communication skills and experience with strategic planning processes.
Demonstrated ability to work in a high pressure, fast-paced environment. Demonstrated excellence in a variety of competencies including project management, teamwork, analytical thinking, and client/customer awareness. Must possess the ability to work with changing priorities and multiple projects. Excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including a high level of attention to detail and active listening skills. 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 group of administrators and academic leaders. Must be able to negotiate issues, resolve problems and have strong influencing skills.
The successful candidate must be a strategic thinker, effective in moving strategic agendas, politically savvy, ensure the utmost discretion in all matters, as well as possess an ability to work well with all levels of management, both internally and externally, be flexible in nature, have a sound judgment with a collaborative style that fosters teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization. Must have a passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality.
Must be able to work weekends and evenings as required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Prior experience working in higher educational institution, or similar not for profit organization highly preferred. Interest in or enthusiasm for science is 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.