Major Gifts Officer

Cornell University•Ithaca, MI

1d•$104,037 - $127,157•Hybrid

About The Position

Cornell University is seeking a Major Gift Officer (MGO) to join the Alumni Affairs and Development division in Ithaca, NY. This role is part of a new "pod" staff structure, supporting the Brooks School of Public Policy, College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, and the Johnson Museum of Art. The MGO will build and manage relationships with alumni, parents, and friends to secure leadership and major gifts, managing a portfolio of 100-120 prospects with a giving potential of $250,000 or more, with a focus on those with $1 million+ capacity. The goal is to generate $1M–$3M+ in gifts annually. Success requires strategic relationship management, strong communication and persuasion skills, data analysis, and the ability to develop tailored engagement plans. The ideal candidate is a collaborative influencer, comfortable working with faculty, volunteers, and pod colleagues, and possesses resilience and a results-oriented approach to meet ambitious fundraising goals. Significant travel and occasional evening/weekend work are expected.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 5–7 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination.
Proven ability to build strategic relationships and influence outcomes.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills; ability to craft compelling proposals and presentations.
Strong analytical and planning skills to develop data-driven engagement strategies.
Demonstrated collaboration and teamwork across diverse stakeholders.
Results-oriented, proactive, and resilient in achieving ambitious fundraising goals.
Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license, travel both domestically and internationally (up to 40% of time), and work evenings/weekends as needed.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Nice To Haves

Experience closing major gifts in a complex organization.
Background in higher education fundraising.

Responsibilities

Build and sustain purposeful relationships with prospects through strategic qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Build, develop, and manage a portfolio of 100–120 prospects with giving capacity of $250,000–$1,000,000+.
Complete 50+ discovery qualifications annually to identify new major gift prospects.
Develop and implement annual strategic engagement plans informed by data analysis and donor interests.
Regularly solicit and close gifts, including annual fund gifts and multi-year commitments, raising a sustainable $1M–$3M+ annually through gifts of diverse sizes.
Conduct a minimum of 120 personal visits or significant contacts per year, including discovery meetings.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of prospect strategies, contact reports, and gift commitments in compliance with University Fundraising Policy 3.1.
Partner with faculty, staff, and volunteers to align donor interests with institutional priorities.
Actively collaborate with key stakeholders to develop customized cultivation and stewardship activities, including volunteer leadership roles.
Represent the university at events such as reunions, homecoming, and campaign activities.
Serve as a liaison to a college or unit, providing a conduit for information sharing and relationship building.