Development Associate

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

The incumbent will join a leading fundraising operation within CUIMC, and support programs and priorities in the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) and across VP&S, the cornerstone of the nation's largest and most robust academic medical centers. The Development Associate (DA) will support the Senior Executive Director for Cancer Programs and two Major Gift Officers. As an integral member of the cancer team, the DA will support cancer-related fundraising programs and priorities across VPS OOD and support the team as they advance fundraising programs in the HICCC, and Departments of Urology, Dermatology, Otolaryngology and Radiation Oncology. 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; writing and coordinating the production of donor and prospect reports, 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; assist with vendor and site inquiry for special events, as well as organize and coordinate events; 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. - 40%

Write and coordinate the production of donor reports, solicitation letters, gift transmittals and special acknowledgment letters. - 20%

Assist with prospect research and proposal development; coordinating and managing database entry; interacting with internal and external constituencies. - 15%

Maintain donor lists including assurance of database accuracy; maintain files and database portfolio. - 15%

Provide support for Cancer team events as assigned and assist with vendor and site inquiry for special events as well as organize and coordinate events, including volunteer committee meetings. - 10%

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.