Gift Planning Officer

Cornell University•Ithaca, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Cornell University is seeking a Gift Planning Officer to join the Alumni Affairs and Development division in Ithaca, NY. This role focuses on partnering with donors, colleagues, and professional advisors to secure planned and complex gifts that support Cornell's academic and institutional priorities. The Gift Planning Officer is responsible for developing and closing a high volume of planned and complex gifts, stewarding gift planning donors, and supporting fundraising teams across the university. This position manages relationships with individuals who have the potential for planned gifts ranging from $10,000 to $10M or more and collaborates with major and principal gift officers on gifts involving estates, life income agreements, real estate, and other complex assets. Success requires strong financial acumen, collaborative skills, and the ability to clearly communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and seven to ten years of relevant experience required.
Minimum of three years in planned giving or a related field, such as trusts and estates or wealth planning experience required.
Well-developed knowledge of financial markets and the business world.
Extensive knowledge of estate, gift and income tax regulations within the context of charitable giving.
Demonstrated ability in financial analysis and quantitative reasoning.
Ability to communicate technical material in lay terms, both verbally and written.
Demonstrated experience in transacting real estate with an emphasis on evaluating individual real estate transactions to determine suitability prior to invoking the mechanics of the process.
Accuracy and attention to detail.
Must have strong interpersonal skills.
Must be able to work with all levels of the University, as well as with donors, alumni, alumni volunteers, professional advisors.
Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Responsibilities

Develop and close a high volume of planned and complex gifts, both independently and in collaboration with college and unit colleagues.
Manage and advance relationships with prospects capable of planned gifts ranging from $10,000 to $10M+.
Collaborate with major, principal, and annual fund officers to structure and close gifts from estates, life income agreements, real estate, and other complex assets.
Serve as a liaison to assigned colleges and units, providing technical expertise, strategy support, and colleague education.
Participate in donor visits, collaborative strategy sessions, and stewardship activities to advance gift planning opportunities.
Contribute to cohesive marketing and stewardship efforts for planned giving through partnership with internal colleagues.
Attend events and travel as needed to support fundraising and stewardship goals.

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