Executive Vice President for University Development and Alumni Relations

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Website Columbia University

Job Overview: Executive Vice President (EVP) for University Development and Alumni Relations

Columbia University, in partnership with the Aspen Leadership Group, is conducting a global search for an Executive Vice President (EVP) for University Development and Alumni Relations. This is one of the most senior administrative roles at the University, reporting directly to the President.

As the EVP, you will be the architect of Columbia’s philanthropic future, providing strategic oversight to a comprehensive program designed to engage a global community of 425,000 alumni, parents, grateful patients, and institutional partners. You will act as a key external representative of the University, working in close tandem with the Provost, Deans, and faculty to secure the resources necessary to fuel world-class research and learning.

Three Overarching Priorities

  1. Philanthropic Excellence: Secure transformative gifts that align with Columbia’s highest academic and institutional priorities.

  2. Constituency Engagement: Strengthen the lifelong bond between the University and its massive alumni base, as well as the broader “Columbia family.”

  3. Leadership & Culture: Lead and expand a collaborative advancement community rooted in the core values of the institution, fostering a culture of high performance and shared mission.

Key Responsibilities & Strategic Functions

Leadership & Representation

  • Executive Partnership: Serve as a frequent external representative of the University alongside the President and Senior Administrators.

  • Campaign Direction: Lead and direct University-wide fundraising campaigns and oversee centralized advancement support services.

  • Alumni Governance: Administer the Columbia Alumni Association and oversee global alumni communications and engagement strategies.

Operational Oversight

  • Advancement Services: Lead the Office of University Development and Alumni Relations, serving as the central resource for stewardship, gift planning, and the University-wide Annual Giving Day.

  • Event Strategy: Assist University leadership with high-level outreach and events to maximize visibility and philanthropic momentum.

  • Academic Collaboration: Partner with deans and academic leaders across 15 graduate and professional schools and the medical center to build discipline-specific donor relationships.

Requirements & Qualifications

Professional Experience

  • Duration: At least 15 years of experience across the full spectrum of development functions.

  • Functional Depth: Substantial exposure to and involvement in alumni relations and/or large-scale communications programs.

  • Academic Context: While Columbia considers a broad range of backgrounds, experience in a complex, research-intensive university or a similarly scaled nonprofit is highly valued.

Core Competencies

  • Visionary Leadership: Ability to inspire a diverse, collaborative team and foster a sense of shared purpose.

  • Global Perspective: Capacity to engage with a truly international community in the context of a great metropolis like New York City.

  • Strategic Communication: Exceptional ability to articulate Columbia’s mission to a variety of stakeholders, from local donors to global organizations.

Compensation & Executive Benefits

  • Target Salary: $900,000.

  • Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.

  • Family Support: Access to tuition assistance programs and family building support.

  • Retirement: Robust retirement plan options.

  • Well-being: Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Why Lead at Columbia University?

Founded in 1754, Columbia is the oldest institution of higher education in New York and a global leader in research and professional training. By joining the leadership team, you become a steward of an institution that links its scholarly excellence to the vast resources of New York City. Columbia is deeply committed to the inclusion of all qualified candidates and encourages applications even from those whose experience may not align exactly with every listed qualification.

Application Instructions

All applications must be submitted via the Aspen Leadership Group portal and must include:

  1. A Resume.

  2. A Cover Letter: This should be responsive to Columbia’s mission and the specific responsibilities of the EVP role.

To apply, visit: Aspen Leadership Group – Columbia University EVP

The Organization & Culture SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is the only academic medical center for health education, research, and patient care located in Brooklyn. In 2026, the institution is at a historic crossroads. Its culture is defined by resilience and a deep-seated mission for health equity. Following a major “transformation” plan initiated by New York State in 2024–2025, the university has pivoted away from maintaining a traditional, high-deficit inpatient hospital and toward becoming a world-class “Integrated Outpatient & Urgent Care Hub.” For the workforce and students, the environment is intense and clinical, driven by the challenge of serving one of the most diverse and medically underserved urban populations in the United States.

The Location: East Flatbush, Brooklyn

  • The Urban Campus: Located at 450 Clarkson Avenue, the campus is a sprawling complex in the heart of Brooklyn. It is a critical anchor for the borough’s healthcare infrastructure.

  • Neighborhood Impact: Downstate is one of Brooklyn’s largest employers. Its presence is vital to the East Flatbush economy, and its students are deeply embedded in the local community through outreach and neighborhood clinics.

  • A “New” Downstate: By 2026, much of the physical footprint is being reimagined. While some inpatient services have been redistributed to neighboring facilities (like Kings County Hospital), Downstate has expanded its Center for Determinants of Health and its biotech incubator, the Downstate Biotechnology Incubator, which supports early-stage life science companies.

Workplace & Academic Highlights (2026)

  • The Five Schools of Excellence: Downstate remains a powerhouse of education through its five distinct colleges:

    • College of Medicine: One of the most diverse medical schools in the country.

    • College of Nursing: Focused on addressing the regional nursing shortage.

    • School of Health Professions: Training the next generation of therapists and technicians.

    • School of Graduate Studies: Leading research in neuroscience and molecular biology.

    • School of Public Health: Centered on urban health and social justice.

  • 2026 Salary & Wage Landscape (Brooklyn Market):

    • Registered Nurses (RN): Salaries in Brooklyn for SUNY-affiliated roles typically range from $105,000 to $135,000, often including state benefits and pension options.

    • Medical Residents: First-year residents (PGY-1) earn approximately $72,000 to $78,000, following recent cost-of-living adjustments in the 2025–2026 contract cycles.

    • Faculty & Researchers: Academic faculty salaries vary widely by specialty, with Associate Professors in clinical roles often exceeding $220,000.

  • The “Brooklyn Biotech” Focus: A major 2026 highlight is the expansion of the Biotech Incubator. Working here as a researcher or entrepreneur provides access to high-end wet labs and a direct pipeline to Brooklyn’s burgeoning “Tech Triangle” talent.

  • Comprehensive State Benefits: As a SUNY institution, employees receive the high-tier New York State benefits package, including the NYS Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP), robust pension plans (NYSLRS), and significant tuition assistance for employees and their families.

Strategic Values: “Equity & Transformation”

  • Health Equity as Strategy: The core 2026 mandate is eliminating health disparities. This isn’t just a slogan; Downstate’s research specifically targets conditions that disproportionately affect Brooklyn residents, such as maternal mortality, hypertension, and diabetes.

  • The Outpatient Pivot: Strategically, Downstate has moved toward a “Prevention First” model. By investing in a state-of-the-art Ambulatory Surgery Center in 2026, they aim to treat patients more efficiently and at a lower cost than the traditional inpatient model allowed.

  • Academic Integration: Even with the restructuring of the University Hospital at Downstate (UHD), the university has strengthened its clinical partnerships with NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County and Maimonides Medical Center, ensuring students have access to a massive and varied patient volume for clinical rotations.

To apply for this job please visit www.columbia.edu.