Director, Development and Industry Partnerships, SEAS

Director, Development and Industry Partnerships, SEAS

Reporting to the Executive Director, Development and Strategic Initiatives, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) on the Columbia Engineering Development and Alumni Relations Team (EDAR), the Director, Development and Industry Partnerships holds a robust portfolio with a primary focus on graduate level (MS and PhD) alumni and industry and corporate partners, including undergraduate alumni, parents and friends of Columbia with the capacity to make six- to eight-figure gifts. The incumbent is responsible for building a portfolio of individual, corporate and foundation relationships with a primary focus on graduate level alumni. They will design and develop solicitation strategies and proposals, solicit and close gifts, and continually steward, discover, and cultivate donors.

The incumbent is a collaborative team player who will also work closely with the Dean, the Vice Dean for Development and Alumni Relations, EDAR, SEAS Offices of Strategic Research, Collaborations and Industry Innovations, and partners at Columbia University Office of Alumni Relations and Development (OAD) to identify priorities and execute our fundraising goals. They will serve as the primary point for EDAR working with SEAS faculty who are raising gifts to support their labs. This is a cross functional role requiring a holistic view and strategic program management. The incumbent must have effective writing and presentation skills and be a persuasive advocate for Engineering priorities. As a member of the Engineering Development and Alumni Relations team, they raise money for School priorities.

Build, manage, and solicit a portfolio of major gifts, corporate and foundation gifts.

• Responsible for conducting 150 personal visits over 12 months to cultivate, solicit, steward, and close gifts, in addition to cold calls.
• Manage an active portfolio of 150 prospects, ensuring consistent follow-up and relationship building to enhance continued and increased support.
• Manage and build a portfolio of SEAS graduate alumni, build and support the portfolio of corporate and foundation relationships, and secure gifts for research centers, SPA and other grants. It is important for the Director to collaborate and partner with SEAS Offices of Strategic Research, Centers Operations, Collaborations and Industry Innovations, and with individual Faculty who are working on gifts to their labs.
• Must have demonstrated success in achieving fundraising goals and managing high-level donor relationships.
• Prepares written solicitation materials, proposals, talking points, and briefings tailored to individual donors and prospects to unlock personal philanthropy, as well as corporate and foundation gifts.
• Actively seek opportunities through alumni and faculty networks.
• Serves as a partner within EDAR and OAD to help other fundraisers leverage alumni donors' roles in industry as founders, members of the c-suite or research leads to unlock additional funding outside of individual philanthropic gifts. Work with colleagues in Corporate and Foundation Relations at the University level.
• Directly solicit or support 25 annual gifts of $10k+ each year.
• Directly solicit or support 10 major gifts ranging from six to eight figures each year.

Strategic partner for complex corporate gifts and collaboration with faculty, leadership and development teams.

• Partner with units across the University, including the Engineering Office for Research and Engineering Industry Innovations, where philanthropic giving plays a crucial role in establishing a research Center or cluster, or other complex project.
• This includes advising or seeking appropriate guidance on distinguishing gifts from grants or sponsored research; drafting gift agreements; coordinating internal review processes and in some cases, facilitating gift agreement negotiations between donors and Gift Strategy; working with colleagues within departments, Finance, and other relevant teams to ensure gifts are set-up, received, and processed as needed.
• Establishing best practices for complex corporate gifts.
• Builds internal relationships with administrators and faculty across the School and campus to understand School and University priorities. Attends related meetings
• Participate in regular team meetings to evaluate progress and adjust strategies as needed
• Helps EDAR and OAD colleagues leverage these kinds of relationships in their own portfolios.

Liaison for Engineering faculty raising gifts.

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Engineering Development team and department administrators and faculty involved in the gifts process. Draft gift agreements, coordinate internal reviews of agreements and other related materials, and when needed facilitate negotiations among donors, industry partners, and Gift Strategy. Collaborate with departments, Finance, and other teams to ensure gifts are properly set up, received, and processed. Provide updates and guidance on development processes and serve as a resource for department assistants and faculty on development-related questions.
• Serve as a liaison between relevant teams and EDAR regarding outreach and communications with alumni, donors, and prospects, ensuring coordination that reflects and balances existing relationships.
• Lead training sessions for School colleagues to promote understanding of development processes and procedures as needed.
• Collaborate with the EDAR Donor Relations and Stewardship team, as appropriate, to ensure stewardship activities and reporting are maintained in accordance with donor agreements and institutional practices. Partner with administrators and faculty to understand School and University priorities and support meetings, solicitations, and gift activity.
• Build and maintain relationships with administrators and faculty across the School and campus; attend related meetings to remain informed on institutional priorities.

Work with high-level volunteers to facilitate corporate and foundation partnerships.

• Support donor/volunteer boards as needed, including planning and leading meetings and recruiting new members.
• The Columbia Engineering Board of Visitors (BOV) includes a number of dedicated and engaged industry leaders. They work in committees and advisory groups. The incumbent may manage and help develop the committee on Industry Partnerships to advance the priorities of the School in partnership with the Senior Director, Industry Innovations and Director of Strategic Collaborations. Organize two-four committee meetings per year; work with the Dean and Vice Dean of Engineering to set strategic priorities for this committee.
• Collaborate with various EDAR and OFR partners to execute industry engagement dinners and other strategic events.

Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree is required.
• A minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of experience demonstrating success in all phases of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations or a demonstrated ability to establish long-term relationships with constituents.
• Experience with volunteer management, programming and events; or related experience is required.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, tact, sensitivity and mature judgment are required.
• Must be professional, organized, creative and efficient, able to work successfully, both individually and as part of a team.
• Demonstrates a spirit of mutual support and excitement for Columbia and embodies collaborative problem-solving across complex organizational structures.
• The incumbent must have effective writing and presentation skills and be a persuasive advocate for Engineering priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced degree is desirable.
• Experience with Columbia University structure and cultures strongly preferred as is successful experience staffing senior institutional leaders.
• Five to seven years in fundraising, corporate/industry related or related transferable experience preferred, with demonstrated success fundraising giving or applicable ability.
• Experience with higher education.
• Having an intellectual interest in engineering, technology and STEM would be helpful.
• Strong data and analytical skills are a plus.

Other Requirements

• This position requires evening and weekend work and travel as necessary.
• 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.