Major Gift Associate

Title: Major Gift Associate

Location: Ithaca (Main Campus)

time type

Full time

job requisition id

WDR-00060041

Job Description:

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Major Gift Associate in our Alumni Affairs and Development division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the university's advancement efforts.

Position Summary

Cornell Bowers College of Computing and Information Science is excited to hire a Major Gift Associate (MGA) to join the staff of its ambitious and high-performing Alumni Affairs and Development team. Reporting to the college’s assistant dean, the MGA works collaboratively with major gift officers and program staff to advance fundraising priorities by supporting the identification, cultivation, solicitation, engagement, and stewardship of major-gift prospects and donors.

Key Responsibilities

• Liaise with Bowers AAD colleagues and Donor Relations in crafting and finalizing gift agreements —including gift proposals, gift agreements, briefings, case materials, correspondence, and volunteer nominations—by researching and synthesizing information about college and university priorities, in support of the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts (including, on a limited basis, foundation and corporate prospects).

• Manage the gift acknowledgement process to ensure timely gift acknowledgements; partner closely with colleagues across AAD to shape stewardship of major and principal gifts—including tailored donor reports and tracking of college endowments, scholarships, and naming opportunities.

• Coordinate portfolio workflow with the assistant dean and major gift officer(s) to document and track donor strategies; generate lists and reports from OBEII and Tableau; and maintain accurate database information reflecting prospect activity.

• Initiate and support prospect identification and research, and conduct discovery research to generate recommendations for the major gift officer and assistant dean that grow the pipeline of major-gift prospects.

• Facilitate connections between prospects and university leadership by developing donor visit briefings, talking points, and campus visit itineraries, and by providing event coordination for cultivation moments.

• Support alumni and donor engagement activities, including Advisory Council meetings, Reunion, Giving Day, regional events, and college-specific initiatives.

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.

About Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science

Born from a bold experiment that united technical innovation with a deeper understanding of the interplay of technology with humanity, the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science continues to define the new frontier of tech. 

Across the growing areas of computer science, information science, and statistics and data science — including artificial intelligence — the community pioneers emerging fields, develops the algorithms that power the information age, and is committed to creatively and thoughtfully exploring technology’s potential to advance our world. ​Cornell Bowers is home to more than 200 employees who drive our research, teaching, and innovation across campus and beyond.

Learn more about Cornell Bowers’ research and its history.

If you’re excited by the intersection of technology and humanity, you’ll find a meaningful home here.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 3–5 years of experience in fundraising, alumni affairs, volunteer management, and/or public relations/marketing.

• Strong interpersonal skills and effective written and oral communication; demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively.

• Ability to work both independently with strong personal initiative and collaboratively in a team environment, with the judgment and discretion needed to handle highly sensitive and confidential information.

• Ability to problem-solve, research, evaluate, and synthesize information for the intended audience; well-organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to prioritize multiple assignments and meet deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals and teams from across the university at all levels, as well as with key alumni, donors, and volunteers.

• Demonstrated ability to use computer software applications, databases, and networked information systems, with interest and willingness to try new technologies, including AI.

Work Location

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 2 days per week and on-campus 3 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.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

University Job Title:

Gift Associate II

Job Family:

Alumni Affairs Development

Level:

F

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$72,209.00 - $83,447.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Laura Clark

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 Cornell’s 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 Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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