Major Gifts Officer

Cornell University•New York, NY

7d•$122,040 - $169,500•Hybrid

About The Position

The Cornell University Major Gifts Officer builds and manages relationships with alumni, parents, and friends to secure philanthropic support aligned with institutional priorities. This role involves identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors to advance the university's mission through leadership and major gifts.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to cultivate and maintain strong, long-term relationships with high-net-worth donors and prospects.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling proposals and engage in meaningful donor meetings.
Ability to develop and implement fundraising strategies that align donor interests with organizational goals while addressing challenges and finding innovative solutions.
Strong experience working with senior leadership and colleagues across departments to coordinate and align fundraising efforts.
Commitment to ethical fundraising practices and the ability to use data to track progress, assess success, and refine strategies.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of 100-120 prospects in New York City, Hudson Valley, North Carolina, and Florida, with gift capacities ranging from $250K to $10M.
Develop and execute an annual solicitation plan for each prospect, ensuring cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Conduct 120-150 significant contacts annually, with at least 50% being in-person, to build relationships and advance fundraising strategies.
Aim to generate $1M to $3M in new gifts and commitments.
Conduct 20-40 discovery qualifications annually to identify new potential donors and expand the portfolio.
Work closely with Cornell's colleges, units, and leadership to ensure alignment of donor plans with institutional priorities.
Prepare faculty and senior leadership for donor meetings, including briefing materials.
Independently match donor interests with Cornell’s priorities, developing funding proposals and structuring complex gifts to secure donations.
Maintain a deep understanding of Cornell’s priorities and engage in regular collaboration with college and unit colleagues to strengthen donor relationships and support fundraising efforts.

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