Donor Relations Manager

Position Summary

The Donor Relations Manager reports to the Senior Director of Development and is responsible for elevating and scaling the school’s established donor relations program. This role ensures that recognition, reporting, and engagement efforts are thoughtfully designed to strengthen retention, deepen relationships, build the school’s pipeline of donors, and support sustained philanthropic growth. Working in consultation with frontline development officers, the incumbent will drive donor relations for different constituencies including individual donors, foundations, endowment and legacy donors. This individual is responsible for a broad range of duties including gift and grant reporting, donor acknowledgement and communications, and supporting the team in development events and board engagement as appropriate. With the goal of increasing fundraising revenue, engaging donor constituents, and enhancing relationships, the Manager will work with staff across the Office of Development and Alumni Relations and the university to implement strategies that will maximize donor engagement and impact.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of donor relations strategies in consultation with the Senior Director and gift officers. Partner with gift officers in alignment with the school’s priorities. Active stewardship of all donors, including endowment donors, foundation, and leadership, major, and principal gift donors, with a particular focus on the stewardship of the school’s scholarship donors

• Project manage, research, and produce narrative stewardship and impact reports for major and principal gift individual donors and foundations.

• In collaboration with the Alumni and Development Administrator and the Leadership Gift Officer, manage the regular donor acknowledgment program across digital and physical platforms. Provide strategic input on best practices for acknowledging and stewarding donors to increase donor retention, for example by building out a first/initial time donor journey.

• Support the annual scholarship matching process in collaboration with the school’s Office of Financial Aid and provide guidance on the administration of scholarships in accordance with donor intent. Maintain donor relations records in the development and financial aid databases.

• Support the planning and execution of donor recognition events and activities in collaboration with other team members.

• Identify and manage engagement opportunities and new initiatives to enhance donor experience. Develop and implement protocols, recommending improvements and implementing approved practices, to maintain and improve existing stewardship efforts.

• Manage and monitor grant and foundation activity for compliance. Work closely with Finance and PIs to prepare narrative and financial reports for foundations.

• Work closely with the school’s centers to ensure the reporting of important research to their donors.

• Work closely with colleagues to prepare gift and grant proposal narratives, budgets and ancillary materials.

• Work closely with the associate dean for advancement, the dean of the school, and the academic dean to steward and engage Board of Visitors and Columbia Journalism Review Board of Overseers.

• Perform other related duties as needed.

• Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree and/or its equivalent required.

• Experience: Minimum 2-4 years related experience.

• Excellent verbal, written and organizational skills. Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential prospect information discreetly. Able to manage relationships with colleagues in other departments and across the university. Ability to work in a high-volume environment managing multiple responsibilities. Good follow through and attention to detail are essential. Excellent computer skills required.

• Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with CRM database management helpful.

• Experience in development, particularly in higher education, preferred.

• Other Requirements

• Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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