Executive Director of Development

Columbia University's Columbia Climate School (formerly Earth Institute) is seeking an Executive Director of Development to lead fundraising efforts at the EIS Climate School. This is a Grade 15 Officer of Administration position reporting to the Associate Dean for Advancement.

Position Summary: The Executive Director of Development is responsible for raising endowment, capital, and current use support for the Climate School and providing management oversight of development staff. This position will identify, develop, and solicit prospects at the major and principal gifts levels, building a robust prospect pool consisting of individuals, foundations, and corporations interested in the issues that the Climate School addresses.

Responsibilities:

• Directs a major gifts pipeline building program by identifying individual, corporate, and foundation prospects; overseeing annual, special gift, and foundation and corporate relations efforts
• Personally cultivates and solicits prospects, and stewarding new and existing donors
• Uses data-driven insights to develop fundraising strategies and measure success
• Stays current with research at the Climate School by liaising with scientific staff and working on private foundation proposals and corporate pitches
• Assists in management of Development Office functions including annual fund, special gifts, events, grants management, and publications
• Works with Associate Dean for Advancement and Climate School leadership to set fundraising campaign goals and implement successful strategies
• Tracks activity using Columbia development systems
• Represents the Associate Dean in their absence, including management of staff

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of eight years of related work experience required
• Knowledge of professional data-driven fund-raising principles and practices
• Must have management, strategic planning, and budgetary experience
• Track record of closing significant major gifts (emphasis on 7-figure gifts and above) as part of a capital campaign
• Demonstrated ability to forge strong working relationships with internal and external constituencies

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree desirable
• Experience and interest in issues embodied by the Climate School's mission
• Prior experience/involvement with national or international NGOs is a plus

Salary Range: $150,000 - $190,000 annually

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.