[Hiring] Major Gift Officer @Cornell University

Role Description

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Major Gift Officer, based in California. This role offers an exciting opportunity to advance Cornell's highest fundraising priorities by building relationships with high-capacity donors and securing transformational philanthropic support.

The Major Gift Officer is an experienced frontline fundraising professional responsible for:

• Identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-capacity prospects and donors across Cornell University's Southwest Mountain region and Mexico.
• Developing and executing strategic engagement plans that inspire philanthropic investment in Cornell's mission and priorities.
• Maintaining momentum across a portfolio of prospects and achieving ambitious fundraising goals.

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 Colorado, Texas, and other Southwest/Mountain states.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 7–10 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience or equivalent combination.
• Proven success in closing seven-figure gifts and managing complex donor relationships.
• Proven ability to take initiative, develop new opportunities, and independently drive fundraising activity and results.
• 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.

Requirements

• This position is designated as a fully remote position to be performed from within California.
• Up to 40% business travel required.
• This position is not eligible for ongoing work outside of California.
• The successful candidate must be located in California at the time of hire and must maintain California as their primary work location throughout employment.
• Relocation assistance is not available.

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, and 13 holidays.
• Tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program.
• Tuition aid for external education.
• Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.