Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Gift Planning, the Senior Philanthropic Advisor is responsible for providing gift planning expertise and strategy for top donors and prospects. The incumbent will partner with chief development officers and prospect managers for assigned divisions, and they will collaborate extensively with colleagues throughout the Development and Alumni Relations community, as well as with other key stakeholders. The successful candidate will have proven experience in technical areas such as estate and wealth planning, tax, illiquid or hard-to-value assets, complex charitable giving vehicles and structures, and the financial and personal issues affecting high-net-worth families.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Frontline Fundraising and Partnerships

• Manage a personal portfolio of 50-75 prospective donors capable of making $1M+ planned gifts.
• Collaborate with university principal and major gift officers and assigned schools/divisions to develop gift planning strategies for individuals with the capability of making major and principal gifts to Columbia University.
• Prepare and present innovative gift planning strategies and proposals that provide maximum benefit to both prospect and Columbia University, including gift illustrations where applicable; emphasis on senior prospects.
• Follow-up to assigned prospects responding to targeted marketing in areas such as bequests, donor advised fund, charitable lead trusts, and real estate.

Gift Planning Strategy and Coaching

• Provide current expertise and counsel to the overall development program on complex technical and legal issues related to gift planning vehicles, tax implication of various gifts, federal and state legislative developments that affect charitable gifts, and other relevant items.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures for complex gifts, gift acceptance and crediting, and other gift planning vehicles.
• Assist with development and presentation of gift planning trainings for fundraising staff, volunteers, and faculty.
• Serve as primary gift planning liaison for assigned schools/divisions.
• Build strong collaborative relationships by adding expertise and identifying and pursuing strategic opportunities to enhance giving through inclusion of gift planning components.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required. A minimum of seven (7) years of related work experience required in a gift planning, legal, or financial environment, or other similar setting with a focus on philanthropic planning. Demonstrated experience working successfully with high-net-worth individuals and successful closure of principal-level planned gifts. Must possess highly developed interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a diverse population of donors and prospects. Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills. Mature judgment and discretion essential.

The ability to travel extensively to meet with donors and prospects and to participate in some weekend and evening events.

Other Requirements

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.