Overview
Reporting to the Director, Columbia Global Reports, the Director, Development for Columbia Global Reports will implement and manage a comprehensive fundraising effort in support of an innovative and admired long-form journalism initiative at Columbia University, Columbia Global Reports (CGR), which publishes novella-length books on underreported global issues.
In collaboration with CGR leadership and development colleagues, the Director will lead an effort focused on the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual prospects and foundations with capacity to make significant gifts towards CGR and develop an annual giving campaign.
Responsibilities:
1. Under the guidance of and in collaboration with the Director, Columbia Global Reports, the Director of Development builds and manages a portfolio of individual and institutional prospects who are interested in supporting pathbreaking journalism generally or in specific topic areas, and takes a leadership role in prospect discovery.
2. Conducts personal visits with a personal annual production goal of $750,000 to $1 million. In partnership with CGR’s director, solicits and stewards CGR individual donors of $25,000 or more.
3. Writes foundation grant applications and stewards existing foundation relationships through events and impact reports.
4. Serves as the primary liaison between CGR leadership and the Office of Alumni and Development (OAD). Activities include attending CGR staff and board meetings; providing guidance from a development perspective on strategic communications and project-specific needs. Works with OAD to process gift agreements, pledge reminders and payments.
5. Manages and executes a fundraising plan for CGR, in partnership with other University Development fundraisers and other entities (e.g., the 1754 Society, various schools, the Columbia Alumni Association, etc.) to promote engagement with CGR, including bulk sales, utilizing books as premiums for events, donor appreciation, etc.
6. Builds and manages strong working relationships across a variety of constituents (e.g. senior University leaders, faculty, administrators, CGR authors, fundraisers, donors and prospects) and assists in guiding them toward common goals while overcoming complexity and internal boundaries.
7. Builds a community of readers by producing and publicizing book-related virtual & in-person events for each title in collaboration with the Office of Alumni and Development, Office of Communications and Office of the President.
8. Designs and executes new development “products,” which might include a membership system with special benefits in exchange for a certain level of gift, and also a way for donors to sponsor an aspect of the book publication process at less than the full cost.
9. Continues to build the CGR database by incentivizing book buyers from various sources to share their contact information, by promoting additional individual book sales and subscriptions to previous buyers and uncovering unique partnerships with other cultural, educational, investigative and corporate entities to promote the books and sales. Uses database tools to track, screen, and prioritize event registrants, attendees, book buyers, subscribers, and donors
10. Devises and implements metrics, other than book sales, that capture relevant information for donors for promotional materials and impact reports.
11. Works with Annual Campaigns to participate in Columbia Giving Day and also creates a sustainable annual giving program that invites all constituents, especially book buyers and subscribers, to donate.
12. Perform other related tasks and special projects as required
Minimum Qualifications for Grade:
Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree desirable. Minimum five years of related experience.
Additional Position-Specific Minimum Qualifications:
Three to five years development experience (primarily in major or principal gifts) or other related senior experience in an academic, journalistic, or publishing environment.
Demonstrated ability to effectively leverage the time of senior administrators and faculty, and demonstrated success in all phases of personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding substantial gifts and grants from individuals and foundations. Experience in building new fundraising operations with an entrepreneurial approach.
Demonstrated experience and interest in individual wealth and philanthropic assessment, face-to-face solicitation, volunteer management experience, and portfolio management experience. Excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including a high level of attention to detail and active listening skills. Must be able to problem-solve and troubleshoot, and to work independently in a dynamic team environment. Demonstrated ability to effectively partner with a diverse group of administrators and academic leaders. Must be able to negotiate issues, resolve problems and have strong influencing skills. The successful candidate must be a strategic thinker, effective in moving strategic agendas, politically savvy, ensure the utmost discretion in all matters, as well as possess an ability to work well with all levels of management, both internally and externally, be flexible in nature, have a sound judgment with a collaborative style that fosters teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization. Must have a passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality. The capacity to clearly communicate Columbia Global Report’s mission and how it fits into Columbia University required.
HOW TO APPLY
Completed applications must be submitted through our online employment system
https://opportunities.columbia.edu/en-us/job/528860/director-development-for-columbia-global-reports