Major Gift Associate

Cornell University • Ithaca, NY

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Major Gift Associate (MGA) is a key member of a newly formed “pod” staff structure, supporting the Brooks School of Public Policy, the Johnson Museum of Art, and the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning within Cornell’s Alumni Affairs and Development division. Reporting to the Pod Leader, the MGA partners closely with Chief Development Officers (CDOs), Major Gift Officers (MGOs), and engagement staff to advance fundraising and engagement priorities across all three units. This role is integral to the pod’s success, supporting the full arc of the donor lifecycle: from prospect identification and research to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The MGA prepares compelling written materials, coordinates donor engagement activities, and ensures timely follow-through on critical advancement work. The ideal candidate brings a collaborative, service-oriented mindset, strong writing skills, and a genuine enthusiasm for working across multiple colleges and institutional priorities. Cornell’s Alumni Affairs and Development division, widely regarded as one of the top-performing advancement organizations in higher education, connects alumni, parents, and friends with opportunities to advance the university’s mission through philanthropy and engagement. This position represents a unique opportunity to help launch an innovative model designed to maximize fundraising impact. Pod teams are grounded in defined goals, clear communication, mutual accountability, and a culture of experimentation, celebration, and continuous growth. Join our team of dedicated professionals committed to excellence and educational advancement at one of the world’s leading universities. This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 3 days per week and on-campus 2 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke, or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination.
• Demonstrated excellence in persuasive and business writing.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a shared support model.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work independently, and exercise sound judgment with highly confidential information.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with a track record of meeting tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education development
• A working knowledge of fundraising concepts and principles
• Experience supporting multiple leaders or organizational units

Responsibilities

• Support CDO and MGO gift strategies; this includes preparing high-quality written materials including proposals, donor briefings, prospect profiles, solicitations, gift documentation, and campaign-related content.
• Initiate and support prospect identification and research; generate recommendations to support MGO and CDO strategies.
• Coordinate donor engagement activities, campus visits, and unit-specific programming.
• Collaborate with CDOs, MGOs, and pod colleagues to develop and track consistent stewardship practices across all supported colleges and units.
• Prepare acknowledgments and recognition materials in accordance with pod protocols and tiered acknowledgment processes.
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of each college’s fundraising priorities, programs, and initiatives to ensure all materials are accurate, tailored, and aligned with institutional goals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees