"Development Associate"

Position Summary

The Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Office of Development (VP&S 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 transform health by driving discovery, advancing care, and educating leaders.

The incumbent will join a leading fundraising operation within CUIMC, and support programs and priorities across VP&S, the cornerstone of one of the nation’s largest and most robust academic medical centers. The Development Associate (DA) will support the Vice President for Development and the Assistant Vice President for Communications and Donor Relations.

As an integral member of the Development team, the DA will provide assistance for a broad range of activities managed by the VP and AVP, including support for the activities related to the management of a robust team of fundraisers and fundraising strategy, processes related to major gifts fundraising including strategy sheets for donors, briefings and gift agreements, and tracking of production needs related to major gifts, including as the liaison for design and creative teams who are working on proposals and related materials.

Administrative responsibilities will include scheduling appointments, meetings (with follow up, preparation of agenda and notification to participants); strategy memos, briefings for high-level donor meetings, and tracking of gift proposals and agreements; coordinating the production of donor and prospect reports including coordination of digital and print assets, writing solicitation letters, and special acknowledgment letters; drafting correspondence for review by supervisors; processing gift transmittals, assisting with prospect research and proposal development.

The incumbent will coordinate and manage database entry and maintain donor lists including assurance of database accuracy; maintain files, database portfolio and enter prospect contact reports; interact with internal and external constituencies; as well as organize and coordinate some small meetings and event activities; troubleshoot when necessary; perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Schedule appointments and meetings with follow-up preparation of agenda and notification to participants, develop meeting materials and briefings for all participants, support senior team members on priority projects and on the coordination of some small event activities. – 40%
• Coordinate the printing and production of donor reports; manage digital assets; help draft solicitation letters, gift transmittals and special acknowledgment letters. – 25%
• Assist with prospect research and proposal development; coordinating and managing database entry; interacting with internal and external constituencies; help manage and coordinate the major gift process for team annual projections and goals. – 15%
• Maintain donor lists including assurance of database accuracy; maintain files and database portfolio. – 15%

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience required, plus three years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least three years of progressively related experience, preferably in fundraising.

Other Requirements

• Must demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills and have the ability to exercise tact, confidentiality, and diplomacy in all interactions.
• Experience in executive-level administrative support, ideally in a fundraising environment.
• Highly motivated self-starter with excellent judgement, discretion, and resilience, with a high level of independent decision-making.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Must be able to accurately manage diverse projects and a large volume of detailed work simultaneously and use good judgement prioritizing work.
• Ability to set priorities and perform in a fast-paced environment.
• Persistent with follow up and follow through, as well as detail oriented.
• Must be able to identify and improve common day-to-day tasks with peers.
• Must demonstrate the ability to work with management information systems and software systems, superior Excel and MS Office required; experience with Salesforce and Canva a plus.
• This position requires work beyond regular hours, including evenings and weekends, as projects and events require.
• Cover letter required.

Job Type: Officer of Administration

Hours Per Week: 35

Salary Range: $70,000 - $75,000