Principal Gifts Officer

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 universitys development efforts.

Position Summary

The Principal Gift Officer (PGO) is a senior fundraising professional who advances Cornells 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.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 1015 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 Cornells 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 Cornells strategic initiatives with donors alumni and friends of the university.

About Alumni Affairs and Development

Cornells 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 universitys mission through philanthropy and engagement. As part of our team youll help cultivate meaningful relationships while working alongside dedicated professionals who share your commitment to excellence and educational advancement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors 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.

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.

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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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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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