Executive Director, Knight Bagehot Fellowship Program

Position Summary

The Executive Director of the Knight-Bagehot Fellowship Program in Economics and Business Journalism oversees the preeminent fellowship for mid-career journalists devoted to the study of business and economics.

Recipients of the Knight-Bagehot Fellowships receive full tuition for a year at Columbia University and a stipend for living expenses. The Executive Director is responsible for raising funds to cover these costs. They also have primary authority over significant financial resources, including an annual operating budget of more than $1.8 million and stewardship of a $35 million endowment . The role includes independent decision-making on budget allocation, long-term financial planning, revenue strategy and financial sustainability.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Executive Director defines and executes the Fellowship?s multi-year strategy, aligning program priorities with those of the School and the University while advancing its national leadership in business and economics journalism.

The Executive Director will be a thought leader devoted to the improvement of business journalism on a national level, while able to take advantage of the University?s location in the center of the world?s capital of business and media. In this role, they will work closely with Columbia Business School?s MBA Program, as well as the Knight-Bagehot Board of Advisors and the alumni committee which represents more than 450 graduates of the Fellowship.

The Executive Director engages senior University leadership, donors, and external stakeholders, and makes decisions with school-level impact on academic priorities, institutional partnerships, and reputation.

Responsibilities

• Set and drive the Fellowship?s strategic direction, with accountability for program growth, relevance, and institutional impact. Serve as a key institutional voice in shaping the future of business journalism, both within Columbia and nationally.
• Develop and execute a strategic recruitment plan to attract and select the nation?s top journalists for the Knight-Bagehot Fellowship program. Oversee recruitment and selection strategy to maintain the Fellowship?s position as the premier program for mid-career journalists.
• Exercise full responsibility for budget planning, resource allocation, and long-term financial sustainability. Oversee endowment stewardship and develop multi-year revenue and fundraising strategies.
• Lead all major fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation, major gifts, and strategic campaigns. Responsible for fundraising and soliciting donations to sustain and grow the program.
• Execute an annual Fundraising dinner and manage ongoing donor relationships. Develop other forms of revenue for the program.
• Design educational programs for journalism fellows specializing in business, including public events and weekly seminars with media and business leaders. Advise and mentor fellows.
• Ensure continued competitiveness and national leadership of the Fellowship. Strengthen the Fellowship?s national profile and influence within journalism, media, and business communities.
• Set the vision for the Fellowship?s academic experience in collaboration with senior faculty and University leadership. Ensure the program remains competitive, innovative, and aligned with evolving industry needs.
• Work closely with Columbia Business School?s Deans, faculty and administrators to provide optimum curriculum choices and opportunities for the fellows.
• Work closely with the Knight-Bagehot Board of Advisors and the alumni committee to ensure the best quality fellowship experience and outcomes, and in support of fundraising goals.
• Serve as the senior spokesperson and representative to the Board of Advisors, alumni, donors, and industry leaders.
• Build and sustain high-level partnerships across journalism, business, and philanthropy. Represent the program in senior-level University forums and external engagements.
• Advise school leadership on issues related to journalism, business education, and executive programs.
• Act as a visible thought leader shaping discourse in business and economics journalism.
• Performs other related supervisory and leadership duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor?s Degree
• Minimum 8-10 years? related experience
• Experience working in journalism, media, entrepreneurial and/or non-profit enterprises.
• Experience designing and managing journalism fellowships and awards; experience in career development programs for students; producing educational seminars and public events; experience with foundations and program evaluation;

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Demonstrated achievement and the highest professional reputation in business and economics journalism.
• Experience managing administrative staff and reporters.
• Broad personal contacts within the world of journalism and business.
• Experience planning large public-facing events including working with event coordinators, venues and talent.
• Excellent communication skills and mentoring experience with mid-career journalists.
• Broad understanding of the MBA curriculum and the skills needed to succeed in business school.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets within a large organization.
• Experience working with an advisory board including recruitment of members, management of the board roles, setting up regular meetings and communicating with the members.
• Fund-raising experience including seeking grants, sponsorships, naming rights, managing campaigns and events, and developing new sources of revenue.