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Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Major Gifts Officer in our Alumni Affairs and Development division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role offers an exciting opportunity for an established fundraising professional to advance the university’s most significant academic priorities by leading complex, high-impact gift conversations and partnering closely with academic and university leadership across Cornell.
Position Summary
The Major Gifts Officer is an experienced front-line fundraising professional responsible for managing and advancing key donor relationships with high-capacity prospects to secure transformational gifts in support of Cornell’s academic and institutional priorities. This role manages a smaller, highly focused portfolio based primarily in the Southwest/Mountain regional area and regularly closes seven-figure and complex gifts through deep partnership with academic leadership and the execution of highly customized fundraising approaches.
Key Responsibilities
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Manage a portfolio of approximately 80–100 high-capacity prospect households with giving potential ranging from $250,000 to $10M+, based primarily in Colorado, Texas, and other Southwest/Mountain states.
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Develop and implement sophisticated, multi-year strategies for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
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Regularly solicit and close seven-figure and multi-year commitments, including gifts involving complex assets and blended giving strategies.
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Partner closely with deans, faculty leaders, and senior administrators across the university to align donor interests with academic vision and institutional priorities.
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Facilitate high-level donor engagement with academic leadership through individualized visits, proposal development, and strategic convenings.
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Serve as a trusted advisor to internal partners and donors throughout the lifecycle of complex gift conversations.
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Maintain accurate and timely documentation of prospect strategies and activities in compliance with University Fundraising Policy.
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
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Bachelor’s degree and 7–10 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
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Proven success in closing seven-figure gifts and managing complex donor relationships.
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Exceptional oral and written communication skills; ability to craft compelling proposals and presentations.
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Advanced strategic planning and analytical skills to develop multi-tiered engagement strategies.
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Demonstrated ability to collaborate with senior leadership and faculty in a complex organization.
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Results-oriented, proactive, and resilient in achieving ambitious goals.
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Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license, travel extensively (up to 40% of time) and work evenings/weekends as needed.
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Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
Work Location
- This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely three days per week and on-campus two days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
Rewards and Benefits
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Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
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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.
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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
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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
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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 IV
Job Family:
Alumni Affairs Development
Level:
H
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Pay Range:
$138,776.00 - $169,615.00
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:
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].
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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.
2026-08-03
