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.