Major Gift Associate, University Major Gifts

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

The Major Gift Associate, a member of our University Major Gifts team, provides essential writing, research, and coordination support to a team of Major Gift Officers working with high-capacity donors. This role focuses on developing clear, compelling communications, including proposals, briefings, and correspondence, that advance fundraising strategies and ensure alignment with university priorities.

In this role, the Major Gift Associate synthesizes complex information, prepares materials for senior university leaders, and helps coordinate donor engagement activities. This position plays a critical role in enabling effective relationship management by ensuring that gift officers are equipped with thoughtful, accurate, and strategically aligned content and support.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with gift officers to support the development and execution of donor strategies, leveraging partnerships with colleagues across the university

• Research and synthesize complex information to develop briefing materials and talking points for university leadership, tailoring content for diverse audiences

• Write persuasive proposals and donor correspondence, partnering with colleges and units to ensure accuracy and alignment with strategic priorities

• Develop personalized stewardship reports and communications that demonstrate donor impact, translating complex information into clear, compelling narratives

• Draft and edit high-level correspondence and acknowledgements for university leaders, ensuring consistency with institutional voice and donor preferences

• Build and maintain knowledge of university initiatives and programs while supporting compliance, workflow coordination, and operational processes

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 3 to 5 years relevant experience or equivalent combination

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated excellence in persuasive and business writing

• Ability to build relationships with colleagues across AAD, faculty, alumni, volunteers, and administrative staff

• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and exercise sound judgment with highly confidential information

• Strong organizational and project management skills with ability to meet tight deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or professional services environment

• Experience working in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments

Work Location

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

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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 Cornell's non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

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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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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 individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.