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Assistant Dean for Alumni Affairs and Development, Brooks School of Public Policy

Cornell University


Job Location:

Ithaca, NY - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 157418 - 192400
Posted: 11 August 2026 (29 days ago)
Application Deadline: 8 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Assistant Dean for Alumni Affairs & Development in the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy. This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished fundraiser to build on the momentum of one of Cornells newest schools while playing a key role in an innovative development support model designed to maximize collaboration efficiency and fundraising success.

Position Summary

As the schools chief development officer you will partner closely with the Dean to advance strategic priorities through philanthropy alumni engagement and donor stewardship. Working with faculty alumni donors volunteers and university partners you will develop and execute strategies that inspire philanthropic investment in the schools mission and future growth.

The successful candidate will join a newly established collaborative development support model that brings together chief development officers and a dedicated team of professionals specializing in alumni engagement major gifts operations and administrative support. Designed to maximize fundraising impact through shared expertise and resources this collaborative structure provides the opportunity to help shape a new approach to development while focusing on relationship building fundraising strategy and philanthropic results.

While this position does not have direct reports it offers significant opportunities to lead through influence partnership and strategic vision. The Assistant Dean will serve as a trusted advisor to the Dean and a key contributor to the continued growth and success of the Brooks School.

Key Responsibilities

Lead a Growing Development Program

  • Serve as the development expert for the Brooks School providing strategic leadership for fundraising and alumni engagement.

  • Partner with the Dean to advance the schools priorities and strengthen philanthropic support.

  • Help shape the future growth of a young and rapidly evolving school.

Inspire Transformational Philanthropy

  • Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects capable of making significant investments in the future of the Brooks School.

  • Develop and execute donor strategies that result in meaningful philanthropic support and long-term engagement.

  • Build and strengthen relationships with alumni donors volunteers and university partners.

Collaboration for Impact

  • Work closely with a dedicated team of development professionals specializing in alumni engagement major gifts operations and administrative support.

  • Partner with peer chief development officers and colleagues across Cornell to maximize fundraising outcomes and organizational effectiveness.

  • Contribute to the continued evolution of a collaborative development support model designed for long-term success.

About Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy

The Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy harnesses the Universitys broad disciplinary excellence in public policy along with its innovative teaching research and engagement programs to solve pressing global challenges. The schools prestigious faculty apply an interdisciplinary and problem-oriented focus to wide-ranging public policy issues as they explore how government choices intersect with peoples lives. The schools initial areas of focus are in data science and technology policy; environmental and sustainability policy; health policy; human security; inequality and social policy; the politics and economics of development; and race racism and public policy.

About Alumni Affairs and Development

At Cornell Alumni Affairs and Development we connect alumni parents and friends with opportunities to make a meaningful difference at Cornell and beyond. Our success is built on the strength of relationships a commitment to excellence and a culture of collaboration innovation inclusion and continuous learning. As one of higher educations leading fundraising and engagement organizations we recently completed a record-setting campaign that engaged more than 221K alumni and raised $6.7 billion. Joining our team means growing your career alongside supportive mission-driven and high-performing colleagues while helping shape Cornells future.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelors degree and 710 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience.

  • Demonstrated success securing major and principal gifts and managing complex donor relationships.

  • Proven ability to develop and execute fundraising strategies that achieve ambitious goals.

  • Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills with the ability to work effectively across a complex organization.

  • Experience serving as a strategic partner to senior leaders executives or academic leadership.

  • Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative environment and contribute to a shared-services approach.

  • Commitment to fostering inclusive environments and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

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

  • Cornells impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program tuition aid for external education and Cornell Childrens 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.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

University Job Title:

AAD Program Director I

Job Family:

Alumni Affairs Development

Level:

H

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$157418.00 - $192400.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Laura Clark

Contact Email:

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

  • Prior relevant work or industry experience

  • Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

  • Unique applicable skills

  • Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornells non-union staff job titles and pay ranges see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornells union wages see Union Pay Rates.

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EEO Statement:

Cornellwelcomes students faculty and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities to further the founding principle of ... any person ... any study. No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving but not limited to such factors as race ethnic or national origin citizenship and immigration status color sex pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions age creed religion actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person) arrest and/or conviction record military or veteran status sexual orientation gender expression and/or identity an individuals genetic information domestic violence victim status familial status marital status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal state or local law.

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Required Experience:

Junior IC