Major Gifts Officer II

Grade 14 | Job Type: Officer of Administration | Regular | 35 hours/week | Salary Range: $140,000 – $160,000 (final salary set based on departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training).

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Dean, Development, the Major Gifts Officer II plays a critical role in advancing the mission of Columbia Business School by cultivating and soliciting gifts of $250,000 and above. The officer independently manages a portfolio of up to 150 prospects—including alumni, parents, and friends—through discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The role requires a strategic, donor‑centered approach to secure major gifts that support the School’s top priorities (scholarships, curriculum, research, and operating support). Travel, both domestic and international, is required to build and strengthen donor relationships. The incumbent is expected to embody the team’s core values of Respect, Inclusion, Service, Empathy, and Excellence.

About Columbia Business School

For over a century, Columbia Business School (CBS) has developed leaders and builders of enterprises who drive value for stakeholders and society through its MBA, MS, PhD, and Executive Education programs. CBS is committed to cultivating new scholars and teachers, and to creating and disseminating path‑breaking knowledge that advances management practice. The school’s vision is to develop ideas and leaders that transform the world from the very center of business. CBS’s administration provides strategic and operational guidance, optimizing resources through transparent processes and a culture of respect.

Responsibilities

• Portfolio Management – Manage a portfolio of ~150 prospects through validation, engagement, cultivation, solicitation, gift negotiation, and stewardship. Maintain detailed activity reports and moves‑management information for all prospects.
• Donor Engagement – Conduct a minimum of 120 prospect meetings annually to cultivate and solicit gifts. Hold regular validation meetings with prospects, alumni, and parents to assess giving potential. Meet fundraising goals and metrics by closing major gifts.
• Collaboration and Representation – Serve as a high‑level spokesperson for CBS and its funding priorities with donors, internal stakeholders, faculty, and center directors. Travel independently and with leadership to deepen prospect relationships.
• Team Engagement & Special Projects – Actively participate in team life, fostering teamwork, integrity, accountability, and respect. Perform related tasks and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 5 years of fundraising or a combination of fundraising and sales experience, with a proven track record of closing six‑figure and seven‑figure gifts.
• Ability to interact effectively with business executives, CEO‑level contacts, and high‑net‑worth individuals.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Outstanding strategic thinking, analytical, interpersonal, and judgment skills; experience handling highly confidential information.
• Strong initiative, creativity, organizational ability, and attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze problems and present strategic solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and cooperatively with staff.
• Creativity, enterprise, and tactfulness.
• Some weekend and evening work hours required; up to 40 days travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Success in higher‑education fundraising, with a proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and close six‑ and seven‑figure major gifts from alumni, parents, and friends.
• Experience managing a broader portfolio of high‑value donors and designing strategic, donor‑centric engagement plans.
• Advanced skills in developing and executing strategic communication plans that align donor priorities with institutional goals, using data‑driven insights.
• Proven ability to collaborate across departments and with senior leadership, serving as a bridge between donors and the organization.
• Exceptional communication skills, adaptable messaging for diverse audiences, and confident representation of the School’s mission and funding priorities.
• Ability to handle complex gift proposals and work seamlessly with leadership, faculty, volunteers, and colleagues to secure transformational philanthropic commitments.