Director of Development

The Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Office of Development (VPS OOD), a part of the Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), is dedicated to facilitating relationships that support the vision and mission of CUIMC and VP&S: to advance medical education, achieve scientific breakthroughs, and provide the best possible patient care across a range of specialized departments, centers and programs.

Position Summary

The Director of Development (DoD) will join a leading fundraising operation at VPS OOD and will work with world-renowned faculty at CUIMC, one of the nation's largest and most robust academic medical centers.

The DoD will report to the Senior Executive Director of Development (SED) and will serve as an internal and external liaison to CUIMC, as well as support the overall development efforts for the Seymour, Paul, and Gloria Milstein Division of Cardiology, the Department of Surgery, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition to the SED, the DoD will work closely with numerous senior members of the OOD team, including the Senior Vice President of Development, and build relationships with key faculty and administrative leaders.

The DoD will manage advisory boards for assigned clinical areas, comprised of leading donors to CUIMC, and will work closely with board leadership. Responsibilities include expanding board membership, developing programming for signature events and meetings, and volunteer management with the goal of increasing engagement and support.

Additionally, the DoD is a critical frontline fundraiser and will manage a robust portfolio of major gift donors and prospects consisting of individuals, foundations, and corporations. The DoD will work closely with the SED in developing strategies and cultivating relationships that lead to the solicitation and stewardship of major and principal gifts, as well as participate in prospect assessment and assignment processes for the upcoming academic year.

Responsibilities

·       Serve as a primary liaison to assigned clinical areas and corresponding volunteer groups, including advisory boards. Oversee the management of board meetings, engage board leadership and volunteers around priority fundraising initiatives, plan and program events to build interest and support in key clinical areas. – 30%

·       Manage a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects consisting of corporations, foundations and individuals. Develop cultivation and stewardship strategies that lead to solicitation of major gifts of $100,000 and above. Provide support to Senior Executive Director on principal gift prospects and donors. –30%

·       Coordinate and manage communications; develop prospect identification, cultivation, and stewardship plans that build and enhance fundraising efforts for the Cardiac, Ob/Gyn and Surgery programs. – 30%

·       Participate in prospect assessment and research processes and assignment. Prepare objectives for the upcoming academic year (e.g. dollars to be raised, solicitations planned, and cultivation/stewardship activities). – 5%

·       Other projects as assigned. – 5%

Minimum Qualifications

·       Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience, plus four years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

·       Master's degree preferred.

Other Requirements

·       At least four years of progressively responsible experience in development fundraising or a related field, preferably in a health care or higher education environment

·       Management and administrative skills required to motivate, direct and evaluate staff and volunteers to accomplish fundraising goals

·       Proven ability to work successfully in a campaign environment with major gift solicitation

·       Excellent knowledge of management information systems and software programs such as Microsoft Office and the integration of such programs with other donor-based gift records and systems

·       Ability to maintain a calm and professional demeanor with a high degree of sophistication

·       Highly motivated with excellent judgment and discretion, resilience, with a high level of independent decision-making

·       Excellent written and oral skills plus interpersonal, organizational and analytical skills required

·       Excellent ability to set priorities and perform under pressure of fast paced office environment

·   This position requires work beyond regular hours, including evenings and weekends, as projects and events require.