The Senior Associate Dean for Advancement for The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) at Columbia University is seeking a dynamic Development Assistant who will be responsible for all administrative support needs and day-to-day operational logistics for the Senior Associate Dean and the team, including some administrative support for the Directors of Alumni Relations, Major Gifts, and the Annual Fund, as well as general office management and clerical support for the SEAS Advancement Office (SAO) as a whole. The successful candidate in this challenging role will be a collaborative people person possessing excellent communication skills to effectively interface between the Senior Associate Dean's office and high-level University stakeholders including some of SEAS highest level alumni donors and volunteers as well as internal officials and faculty from the School, and Office of Alumni and Development (OAD). He/she/they must be able to work independently, in a fast-paced environment prioritizing and juggling multiple projects and changing priorities daily. As a trusted partner and team member, the Development Assistant will grasp nuance and maintain confidentiality
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Draft written correspondence and invitations, proofread/edit documents including letter proposals and all other material related to donor solicitation and cultivation. Execute processes for in-house mailings and assist in the preparation of briefing documents for events/meetings and follow-up activities.
Master procedures and policies for creating gift and grant accounts and collaborate with staff in other offices; facilitate donation transmittals and serve as the point of contact for any gift/grant budget and proposal issues across our team, SEAS and OAD.
Implement and maintain systemized processes and procedures for tracking solicitations and other related fundraising activities. Maintain electronic and physical files.
Update Advance/Athena fundraising database and run reports.
Conduct research on individuals and corporations/organizations as needed.
Interact with donors and prospects, University staff and vendors as the point of entry to the SAO.
Assist team as necessary with donor-related soup to nuts events planning including parties, conferences and meetings logistics, catering, invitations, name tags, table cards, etc.
Maintain Senior Associate Dean's calendar and general office meeting schedules.
Secure all travel arrangements/logistics and expedite travel assessments to ensure smooth trips.
Process expense reports for reimbursement and provides all pertinent details and project approval forms for SAO staff expenses. Maintain petty cash.
Ensure adequate office supplies are on hand and reorder as needed. Complete purchase orders.
Work with building management of the Interchurch Center to coordinate office needs.
Perform other related duties as required by Senior Associate Dean and the Directors.
Minimum Qualifications
Three years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, is necessary with a demonstrated track record as a strong communicator with accurate, detail-oriented, English grammar knowledge and written expertise, as well as verbal savvy. The Development Assistant must have advanced computer literacy and strong technical skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint); Gmail, relational database like Advance/Athena and the willingness and aptitude to learn other applications as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of ARC, or another financial management system, is a plus; interest in fundraising, or experience in development and/or alumni relations is desirable; Bachelor's degree is preferred.
Other Requirements
Proficiency with numbers is required to handle incoming gifts, create reports and assist in maintaining office budgets and financial gift summaries. Some paid overtime during busy times and events on evenings and weekends is required.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
Internal Number: 506421
About Columbia University
Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.
