Assistant Director of Athletics Annual Funds

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $75,000 - $82,000

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

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $75,000 - $82,000

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 Athletics Development team leads fundraising, marketing, data management, and stewardship efforts for more than 9,000 Columbia Athletics alumni. Supporting 31 varsity sports, over 40 club teams, and various capital and endowment initiatives defined by the Director of Athletics, the five-person team plays a central role in advancing the department’s philanthropic goals. Reporting through the Columbia College/Arts and Sciences fundraising unit, the team collaborates closely with colleagues and donors to achieve shared objectives. In addition, the unit partners with varsity programs to coordinate and execute more than 30 alumni events each year.

Reporting directly to the Director of Athletics Development, the Assistant Director for Athletics Annual Funds oversees a robust portfolio of prospects as well as taking oversight of sport program annual funds. The Assistant Director also works with the Director of Athletics Development on giving and relationship strategies for all internal and external stakeholders. The Assistant Director will lead several fundraising initiatives outlined by the Director of Athletics Development and the Director of Athletics.

Responsibilities

• The Assistant Director will staff a portfolio of roughly 175 prospects, with a goal of making 100 - 150 visits and 100 - 150 solicitations per year. The range of solicitations will include annual fund, leadership annual fund ($10K+), major gifts, planned gifts, and other special projects as assigned.
• With the Development Assistant and the Annual Fund Programs staff, the Assistant Director will help create fundraising dollar and donor goals and strategies, coordinate plans for direct mail, telemarketing, and e-mail staff on an ongoing basis and monitor incoming gifts, and ensure that proper stewardship and pledge follow-up occurs.
• Develops and executes targeted strategies to increase alumni and parent giving with a gift-level concentration of $25k-$100k.
• Supervises the Athletics Development Assistant.
• Oversees the Giving Day strategy and implementation.
• Assists with creating, tracking, and reporting fundraising dollar and donor goals annually.
• Assists in the management of communication strategies.
• Staffs Athletics special events, including volunteer and alumni engagement events, end-of-year banquets, Homecoming, and other ad hoc Athletics events.
• Provides support for periodic Athletics Leadership Committee meetings. 
• Assists with department projects as assigned.
• Performs special projects, strategic initiatives teamwork, and related duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent is required, along with three (3) to five(5) years of related experience.
• Must be able to creatively and sensitively approach brand management for a highly prestigious educational institution and Athletics program.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office required.
• Must be detail-oriented, use excellent independent judgment and initiative, and have a proactive customer service attitude when interacting with alumni and other constituencies.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.
• Must possess the ability to work with changing priorities and multiple projects.
• 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, in addition to the ability to work independently in a dynamic team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively partner with a diverse group of administrators and academic leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with all levels of management, both internally and externally, be flexible in nature, and 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.
• Must be able and willing to travel; some evening and weekend work will be required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working in a fundraising environment as well as experience in/passion for collegiate athletics is preferred.
• Prior knowledge and experience with the Advance database application preferred.
• Prior experience at an academic research institution is desirable.

Other Requirements

• 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.

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