Associate Director, Development & Industry Partnerships

Regular, full-time position (35 hours per week) in a hybrid on-site/remote schedule.

About the role

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Development & Alumni Affairs at Columbia University School of Nursing, the Associate Director of Development and Industry Partnerships will manage and grow a portfolio of major and leadership gift prospects and donors, with a primary focus on corporations and foundations capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more. The Associate Director will develop and execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that align with the School’s philanthropic priorities. As a collaborative and strategic partner, the incumbent will work closely with the Dean, Associate Dean for Development & Alumni Affairs, the School’s Grants Management Office, and colleagues across Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) and the Office of Alumni Relations and Development (OAD) to identify funding opportunities and advance shared philanthropic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a portfolio of 50+ major and leadership gift donors and prospects, including corporations, foundations, and individuals, with a focus on gifts of $100,000 and above. Conduct approximately 80 donor meetings annually (virtual, phone, and in-person) and develop/submit 15 new major gift funding proposals annually aligned with School priorities.
• Directly solicit or support 5 new leadership annual gifts of $10K+ each year through proactive outreach and cold calls.
• Support the Associate Dean for Development & Alumni Relations on principal corporate and foundation prospects through stewardship activities, including reports, briefings, letters of inquiry, proposals, and budget development. (50%)
• Lead corporate and foundation prospect research efforts, including identification, assessment, and qualification of prospective funders. Prepare donor profiles, briefing materials, and strategic background information for faculty, senior leadership, and volunteers. (20%)
• Design, develop, and execute strategic industry engagement events and convenings (e.g., donor dinners, partnership-focused gatherings) to connect funders with School of Nursing faculty and leadership. (10%)
• Develop and implement a strategic work plan in partnership with the Associate Dean for Development & Alumni Affairs, including supporting a volunteer committee of the board of advisors. (5%)
• Serve as a liaison to the School’s Grants Management Office, University’s Office of Sponsored Projects, and School’s Finance Office to ensure compliance with corporate and foundation proposals and awards. Prepare budget projections and reports related to submitted and anticipated grants. (5%)
• Oversee scholarship stewardship and reporting processes in partnership with the Stewardship and Development Operations Manager. Maintain accurate records in Salesforce, track donor engagement, and monitor funding trends. (5%)

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in development, fundraising, corporate and foundation relations, or a related field, preferably within higher education, healthcare, or an academic medical center environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across a complex academic and healthcare environment, with initiative, professionalism, sound judgment, and strong collaborative skills.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of corporations, foundations, and individual donors whose philanthropic interests align with the School of Nursing’s priorities (e.g., access, leadership, health equity, digital health, global health, workforce development).
• Proven success in achieving fundraising goals and securing six- and seven-figure gifts and grants.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, with strong analytical abilities, tact, and resilience.
• Experience developing and negotiating foundation grants, preparing compelling proposals and reports, and conducting prospect research.
• Ability to proactively identify and cultivate opportunities through alumni, faculty, corporate, and foundation networks.
• Willingness to work beyond regular business hours (evenings/weekends) and travel as needed for events, donor engagement, and strategic initiatives.
• Ability to work with diverse constituencies and support an inclusive work environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with donor databases (e.g., Salesforce) preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree.
• Experience working within a research university, academic medical center, or other research-focused organization.

Pay

Salary range: $95,000–$100,000. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training.