Director of Leadership Gifts
About The Position
Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Director of Leadership Gifts in our Alumni Affairs and Development division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the university's advancement efforts. The Director of Leadership Gifts provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management for Cornell’s Leadership Gift Officer team within Annual and Leadership Giving (ALG). This role is responsible for driving Annual Fund growth through donor retention, upgrading, and pipeline development, while coaching and developing frontline fundraisers to achieve ambitious fundraising goals. As a member of the ALG leadership team, the Director partners collaboratively across Alumni Affairs and Development to advance university priorities and strengthen donor engagement.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and 7–10 years of fundraising or development experience in a complex organization.
- Demonstrated success managing fundraising staff and driving results.
- Strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to analyze data, set goals, and identify opportunities for improvement.
- High level of initiative, integrity, and sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing.
Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of Leadership Gift Officers to achieve fundraising and donor engagement goals.
- Establish team and individual performance metrics focused on Annual Fund growth, retention, and donor pipeline development.
- Oversee portfolio management and ensure strong data integrity and prospect strategy execution.
- Personally manage a small portfolio of leadership giving prospects through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture aligned with Cornell’s values.
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
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
