• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $64,100 - $81,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Associate Director for Annual Fund Programs (AFP) in the Office of Alumni & Development, the Associate Director plays a key role in the planning, implementation, and management of annual fund solicitations. As a strong project manager, the Associate Director is responsible for overseeing direct mail and digital marketing project implementation, helping to develop and execute broad-based fundraising strategies, and working with external vendors and internal constituents to bring projects to completion. To succeed in this role, candidates must be proactive in partner and vendor management, anticipating problems that may arise and quickly and independently resolving unforeseen situations along the way.

Work may involve start-to-finish execution of given projects or coordination and oversight of a defined aspect of a project, depending on the needs of the team at the time. The Associate Director will also be expected to coordinate direct mail and e-mail activities with phone and personal solicitation strategies.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Work with fundraising and alumni relations partners and colleagues on direct marketing solicitations to implement strategy, timing, messages, segmentation, and population definition. Expected to anticipate and interpret needs of partners and colleagues, and be flexible with changing timelines.
• Perform advanced-level broad-based marketing work, for partners with highly complex structure and significant fundraising goals.
• Collect, integrate, and apply input to direct marketing strategies and projects from internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactively provide recommendations and best practices to improve services to partners.
• Guide and implement direct marketing solicitation strategy and mail/email list segmentation as defined by each partner???s plan for the year. Associate Director may develop the strategy for project execution.
• Guide and participate in the creation of direct mail and digital marketing content, including working with other staff to craft effective solicitations.
• Proactively manage graphic designers, production artists, print vendors, and mail houses, from bidding process to completion of project.
• Regularly communicate project status and changes in project timeline or scope.
• Submit database query requests for mailing lists to database technical team. Manage data query projects with database team and tools to ensure accuracy of the list. Create electronic data files of mailing lists for annual giving solicitations and related mailings.
• Proofing detailed data for personalization and verification for personalized mailings, as needed.
• Independently analyze data related to solicitation result tracking, segment composition, and population performance. Provide cost-benefit analysis of direct marketing projects outlining the return on investment.
• Employ new or alternative solutions to existing problems or issues. Lead others to solve moderate to complex problems.
• Act as resource for colleagues of lesser experience, providing knowledge, guidance and leadership. The Associate Director will be expected to take a leadership role in training new colleagues on all aspects of direct marketing???strategy, creative development, assessment, and production.
• Associate Director will work across academic units within the University.
• Develop and manage projects in support of the Columbia Giving Day initiative.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned/requested.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree and a minimum of four (4) years of related experience are required.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google G suite (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Drive, etc.). Demonstrated experience with project management skills with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including ability to develop and manage project management systems; must possess ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail. Demonstrated experience with, and comprehensive understanding of, the use of direct mail, e-mail, and phone channel solicitation to generate and sustain annual support. Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and implement solicitation efforts for large numbers of prospects and multiple segments. 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. Must be able to negotiate issues, resolve problems and have strong influencing skills. The successful candidate must be a tactical thinker, effective in moving strategic agendas, ensure the utmost discretion in all matters, as well as possess an ability to work well with all levels of management, both internally and externally, be flexible in nature, have a sound judgment with a collaborative style that fosters teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization. Must uphold the Office of Alumni and Development core values (respect, partnership, ownership, and integrity) which set standards of conduct and collaboration. Must have a passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous work experience in a higher educational institution, or other complex organization, is desirable. Knowledge of digital marketing tools such as Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Facebook ad manager, Adobe design and/or InDesign is a plus.

Other Requirements

About Annual Fund Programs: As part of the Office of Alumni & Development, the Annual Fund Programs (AFP) team manages the development and implementation of broad-based marketing in support of annual giving at Columbia. AFP works both at the University level and with individual schools to plan and execute comprehensive, integrated, multi-channel marketing initiatives. In addition, AFP leads the planning and implementation of Columbia Giving Day, a University-wide 24-hour online giving initiative.

Subject to business needs, the Office of Alumni 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.

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.

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