Executive Director of Strategic Donor Relations and Stewardship

Position Summary

Serving as the institution’s senior leader for donor relations and stewardship, the Executive Director of Strategic Donor Relations and Stewardship leads the continued evolution of stewardship as a coordinated, donor-centered function across Columbia’s highly decentralized environment. Reporting to the Deputy Vice President of Alumni & Development Programs, the Executive Director will partner with advancement and school/unit leaders to shape and execute a comprehensive University-wide stewardship strategy that reflects institutional priorities, strengthens donor relationships and the overall donor experience.

Partnering closely with advancement leadership, principal and major gift teams, school- and unit-based development and stewardship staff, and operations partners, the Executive Director will develop shared stewardship practices, workflows, and engagement approaches that promote meaningful donor recognition, communication, and impact reporting across the University. The role will foster greater alignment, consistency, and collaboration across schools and units while respecting their unique priorities, relationships, and fundraising strategies.

The Executive Director leads and develops a collaborative stewardship team of seven staff responsible for advancing shared stewardship practices, donor recognition, impact communications, and stewardship infrastructure across Columbia.

Responsibilities

Principal & Transformational Stewardship

• Lead a coordinated stewardship approach for Columbia’s principal, transformational, and multi-interest donors, ensuring personalized stewardship, recognition, and impact communications that reflect the donor’s philanthropic relationship with the University.
• Partner with Principal Gift Officers, school/unit teams, and University leadership to support the design and execution of stewardship plans, presidential acknowledgments, and related donor experiences for the institution’s most significant philanthropic relationships.
• Foster greater coordination and visibility across schools and units to strengthen consistency, collaboration, and stewardship support for complex donor relationships across Columbia.

Stewardship Programs & Recognition

• Direct the development and advancement of University-wide stewardship programs, donor recognition initiatives including the University Benefactors, 1754 Society, and impact communications for endowed and current-use giving that strengthen donor connection and reflect Columbia’s institutional priorities.
• Establish and promote shared stewardship standards and scalable practices across schools and units, including digital stewardship, storytelling, personalized donor communications, recognition programs, and executive acknowledgments.
• Lead and develop the stewardship team while strengthening stewardship capability and cross-campus coordination through partnership, consultation, and shared best practices.

Operations & Analytics

• Partner with Advancement Operations and other stakeholders to strengthen stewardship infrastructure, reporting, coordination, and workflows within Columbia’s CRM, UpRoar.
• Establish stewardship metrics, reporting frameworks, and operational practices that support accountability, data-informed decision-making, and greater visibility, consistency, and scalability across Columbia’s decentralized stewardship environment.
• Leverage data, analytics, and emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to enhance operational effectiveness and personalization, while overseeing departmental resources, budget management, and operational planning in support of strategic stewardship priorities.

Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) to nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience in donor relations, stewardship, advancement, philanthropy, prospect management, or related fields, including experience supporting principal and major gift stewardship strategy.
• Demonstrated success leading strategic initiatives, organizational change, and cross-functional collaboration within complex, decentralized organizations.
• Experience building, developing, and managing high-performing teams, with the ability to influence and build strong relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with strong executive presence and sound judgment.

Other Requirements

• A cover letter is required and should be submitted along with your application materials.
• 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.