Assistant Dean for Alumni Affairs and Development in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations
About The Position
Cornell University is seeking an Assistant Dean for Alumni Affairs & Development for the School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR). This role is a key part of an innovative development support model designed to enhance collaboration, efficiency, and fundraising success. The Assistant Dean will serve as the chief development officer for the ILR School, partnering with the Dean to advance strategic priorities through philanthropy, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship. The position involves developing and executing strategies to inspire philanthropic investment by working with faculty, alumni, donors, volunteers, and university partners. The successful candidate will join a new collaborative development and engagement support model, which includes three chief development officers and a team focused on alumni engagement, major gifts, and administrative support. This structure aims to maximize fundraising impact through shared expertise and resources, offering the Assistant Dean an opportunity to shape a new development approach while concentrating on relationship building, fundraising strategy, and philanthropic results. Although this position does not have direct reports, it provides significant leadership opportunities through influence, partnership, and strategic vision. The Assistant Dean will be a trusted advisor to the Dean and a member of the leadership team, contributing to the continued growth and success of The ILR School.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree and 7–10 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience.
- Proven success in developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies that achieve ambitious goals.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build collaborative relationships across a complex, matrixed organization.
- Strong ability to work as a collaborative partner within a shared service model, contributing to team success and providing constructive input to support continuous improvement.
- Proficiency with fundraising databases, CRM systems, and standard office software.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; ability to work effectively across cultural differences.
- Ability to travel regularly within the United States and internationally.
Responsibilities
- Serves as the chief development officer for the ILR School, leading fundraising and alumni engagement strategy aligned with school priorities.
- Cultivates and manages relationships with major donors, alumni, and key stakeholders to secure philanthropic support.
- Partners with the Dean, faculty, alumni, volunteers, and donors to secure philanthropic support and advance strategic initiatives.
- Builds strong relationships with fundraisers situated in the central AAD operation to advance ILR’s fundraising aims.
- Manages a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects capable of making significant investments in the future of The ILR School.
- Develops and executes donor strategies that result in meaningful philanthropic support and long-term engagement.
- Builds and strengthens relationships with alumni, donors, volunteers, and university partners.
- Works closely with a dedicated team of engagement and development professionals specializing in alumni engagement, major gifts, operations, and administrative support.
- Partners with peer chief development officers from the Atkinson Center for Sustainability and the Cornell University Libraries as well as colleagues across Cornell to maximize fundraising outcomes and organizational effectiveness.
- Contributes to the continued evolution of a collaborative development support model designed for long-term success.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care options
- Generous retirement contributions
- Access to wellness programs
- Employee discounts with local and national retail brands
- Health and personal leave
- Three weeks of vacation
- 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.
- Two additional floating holidays
- Tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program
- Tuition aid for external education
- Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
