Major Gift Officer, University Major Gifts

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Major Gifts Officer in our Alumni Affairs and Development division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the university's development efforts.

Position Summary

The Cornell University Major Gifts Officer builds and manages relationships with alumni, parents, and friends to secure philanthropic support aligned with institutional priorities. This role involves identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors to advance the university's mission through leadership and major gifts.

Key Responsibilities

• Portfolio Management and Fundraising : Manage a portfolio of 100-120 prospects primarily in the Midwest region of the U.S. with gift capacities ranging from $250K to $10M. Develop and execute an annual solicitation plan for each prospect, ensuring cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Donor Engagement : Conduct 120-150 significant contacts annually, with at least 50% being in-person, to build relationships and advance fundraising strategies. Aim to generate $1M to $3M in new gifts and commitments.

• Discovery and Prospect Identification : Conduct 20-40 discovery qualifications annually to identify new potential donors and expand the portfolio.

• Collaboration and Coordination : Work closely with Cornell's colleges, units, and leadership to ensure alignment of donor plans with institutional priorities. Prepare faculty and senior leadership for donor meetings, including briefing materials.

• Proposal Development and Negotiation : Independently match donor interests with Cornell’s priorities, developing funding proposals and structuring complex gifts to secure donations.

• Knowledge and Relationship Building : Maintain a deep understanding of Cornell’s priorities and engage in regular collaboration with college and unit colleagues to strengthen donor relationships and support fundraising efforts.

About Alumni Affairs and Development

At Cornell Alumni Affairs and Development, we connect alumni, parents, and friends with opportunities to make a meaningful difference at Cornell and beyond. Our success is built on the strength of relationships, a commitment to excellence, and a culture of collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and continuous learning. As one of higher education's leading fundraising and engagement organizations, we recently completed a record-setting campaign that engaged more than 221K alumni and raised $6.7 billion. Joining our team means growing your career alongside supportive, mission-driven, and high-performing colleagues while helping shape Cornell's future.

Required Qualifications

• Education and Experience : Bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Relationship-Building : Ability to cultivate and maintain strong, long-term relationships with high-net-worth donors and prospects.

• Communication and Presentation : Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling proposals and engage in meaningful donor meetings.

• Strategic and Creative Thinking : Ability to develop and implement fundraising strategies that align donor interests with organizational goals while addressing challenges and finding innovative solutions.

• Collaboration and Teamwork : Strong experience working with senior leadership and colleagues across departments to coordinate and align fundraising efforts.

• Ethical and Data-Driven Decision-Making : Commitment to ethical fundraising practices and the ability to use data to track progress, assess success, and refine strategies.

Work Location

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 3 days per week and in-office 2 days per week in Ithaca. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke, or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

University Job Title:

Major Gifts Ofcr III

Job Family:

Alumni Affairs Development

Level:

G

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$104,037.00 - $127,157.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Laura Clark

Contact Email:

[email protected]

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [email protected].

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EEO Statement:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-08-18