Parent Major Gifts Officer

Cornell University•Ithaca, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Parent Major Gift Officer in our Alumni Affairs and Development division. This role offers an opportunity to advance Cornell’s mission by building meaningful relationships with parents and families of current students and alumni, in support of university priorities. The Parent Major Gift Officer is a front-line fundraising professional responsible for managing a portfolio of donor households with significant giving capacity and securing major gifts in support of Cornell University. This role focuses on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships with parents and families, with an emphasis on prospects capable of making gifts of $250,000 or more.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 5–7 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination.
Demonstrated success building strategic relationships and influencing philanthropic outcomes.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal and presentation development.
Experience managing complex projects and executing data-informed strategies.
Proven collaboration skills across diverse stakeholders.
Willingness to travel domestically (up to ~40%) and work occasional evenings/weekends.

Responsibilities

Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 100–120 prospect households with major gift capacity.
Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies informed by data analysis and donor interests.
Secure significant financial support through annual, multi-year, and transformational gifts (typically raising $1M–$3M+ annually).
Conduct a minimum of 120 in-person or significant donor engagements per year, including discovery meetings.
Partner with faculty, volunteers, and Advancement colleagues to align donor interests with institutional priorities.
Represent Cornell at on-campus and off-campus engagement events, including parent and family programs.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation in compliance with University fundraising policies.

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