Major Gifts Officer

Position Summary

The Major Gifts Officer is an experienced front-line fundraising professional responsible for managing and advancing key donor relationships with high-capacity prospects to secure transformational gifts in support of Cornell’s academic and institutional priorities. This role manages a smaller, highly focused portfolio based in Canada and the Pacific Northwest and regularly closes seven-figure and complex gifts through deep partnership with academic leadership and the execution of highly customized fundraising approaches.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 80-100 high-capacity prospect households with giving potential ranging from $250,000 to $10M+, based primarily in Canada and the Pacific Northwest.
• Develop and implement sophisticated, multi-year strategies for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Regularly solicit and close seven-figure and multi-year commitments, including gifts involving complex assets and blended giving strategies.
• Partner closely with deans, faculty leaders, and senior administrators across the university to align donor interests with academic vision and institutional priorities.
• Facilitate high-level donor engagement with academic leadership through individualized visits, proposal development, and strategic convenings.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to internal partners and donors throughout the lifecycle of complex gift conversations.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of prospect strategies and activities in compliance with University Fundraising Policy.

About Alumni Affairs and Development

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. As part of our team, you'll help cultivate meaningful relationships while working alongside dedicated professionals who share your commitment to excellence and educational advancement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 7-10 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Proven success in closing seven-figure gifts and managing complex donor relationships.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills; ability to craft compelling proposals and presentations.
• Advanced strategic planning and analytical skills to develop multi-tiered engagement strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with senior leadership and faculty in a complex organization.
• Results-oriented, proactive, and resilient in achieving ambitious goals.
• Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license, travel extensively (up to 40% of time) and work evenings/weekends as needed.
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.

Work Location

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely three days per week and on-campus two days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Rewards and Benefits

Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability. Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 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. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell

Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell

Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.