Principal Gifts Officer
About The Position
Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Principal Gift Officer in our Alumni Affairs and Development division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the university's development efforts. The Principal Gift Officer (PGO) is a senior fundraising professional who advances Cornell's highest institutional priorities through both frontline fundraising and the coordination of strategic initiative fundraising efforts across the university. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Principal Gifts, the PGO manages a portfolio of principal gift prospects while partnering with academic and university leaders to lead fundraising strategies that support cross university interdisciplinary initiatives. Through collaboration, relationship building, and strategic planning, this role helps align stakeholders around opportunities that inspire transformational philanthropic support.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree and at least 10 years of relevant fundraising experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated success securing major and principal gifts in support of institutional priorities.
- Experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and navigating organizational dynamics to achieve results.
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with senior academic leaders, donors, and internal partners.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling donor proposals and presentations.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally and work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
Responsibilities
- Manage a portfolio of 10–15 principal gift prospects and secure transformational commitments of $10M+ in support of institutional priorities.
- Lead fundraising strategy and execution for university-wide strategic initiatives aligned with Cornell's academic and research priorities including artificial intelligence and climate research.
- Partner with senior academic leaders, deans, directors, and development colleagues to develop fundraising goals and coordinated engagement plans.
- Build and oversee fundraising plans, communications strategies, volunteer engagement efforts, and philanthropic roadmaps for strategic initiatives.
- Coordinate prospect strategy and cultivation efforts across Alumni Affairs and Development, fostering collaboration among gift officers and university stakeholders.
- Develop compelling cases for support and help position Cornell's strategic initiatives with donors, alumni, and friends of the university.
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
- Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program
- Tuition aid for external education
- Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
