Senior Philanthropic Advisor

Senior Philanthropic Advisor

The Senior Philanthropic Advisor is responsible for providing gift planning expertise and strategy for top donors and prospects. Reporting to the Executive Director of Gift Planning, the Senior Philanthropic Advisor will have proven experience in technical areas such as estate and wealth planning, tax, illiquid or hard to value assets, complex charitable giving vehicles and structures, and the financial and personal issues affecting wealthy families. The incumbent serves as a senior subject matter expert on complex charitable gift planning matters and plays a leadership role in shaping gift planning strategy and will partner with chief development officers and prospect managers for assigned schools and units. The successful candidate will collaborate extensively with colleagues throughout Development and Alumni Relations as well as with other key stakeholders. The role exercises significant independent judgment in developing and evaluating sophisticated gift planning strategies and advising on complex gift structures that advance University fundraising priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage a personal portfolio of 50-75 prospective donors capable of making $1M+ planned gifts.
• Serve as the lead gift planning strategist on principal and complex gift opportunities involving estate gifts, charitable trusts, closely held business interests, real estate, retirement assets, donor advised funds, and other non-cash assets.
• Partner with donors' professional advisors, including attorneys, accountants, wealth managers, and family office representatives, to evaluate and structure complex charitable gifts.
• Follow-up to assigned prospects responding to targeted marketing in areas such as bequests, donor advised fund, charitable lead trusts, and real estate.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree is required.
• A minimum of seven (7) to nine (9) years of related work experience required in gift planning, legal, and financial or other similar settings with a focus on philanthropic planning.
• Demonstrated experience working successfully with high-net-worth individuals and successful closure of principal level planned gifts.
• Must possess highly developed interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a diverse population of donors and prospects.
• Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Mature judgment and discretion are essential.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree strongly preferred, such as J.D., LL.M., MBA, or other relevant graduate degree.
• Professional designation such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®), Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), or equivalent.
• Ten (10) or more years of experience in gift planning, estate planning, charitable planning, wealth management, trust administration, or a related field.
• Experience working within higher education, academic medicine, or another complex nonprofit environment.
• Demonstrated success securing principal-level planned gifts and complex blended gifts involving non-cash assets and sophisticated charitable planning structures.

Other Requirements

• Requires the ability to travel extensively to meet with donors and prospects and to participate in some weekend and evening events.
• Subject to business needs, the Office of Alumni Relations 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.