Associate Vice President for Major Gifts

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Cornell University, a nationally ranked Ivy League institution, is looking for an experienced and dynamic fundraising professional to join our Alumni Affairs and Development (AAD) team as the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Major Gifts in Ithaca, NY.

As a key member of the AAD Senior Leadership Team, the Associate Vice President (AVP) of University Major Gifts provides strategic and tactical leadership for the University's Major Gift Program, encompassing central, West Coast, and international teams. The AVP drives engagement and philanthropy from alumni, parents, and friends capable of giving $250,000 to $10 million over five years and acting as the primary liaison to colleges and units for major gift prospects and project management.

Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President for Alumni Affairs & Development, the AVP will play a pivotal role in shaping Cornell's fundraising success. By partnering closely with Principal Gifts, the Campaign Office, Colleges and Units, and Alumni Affairs, the AVP will enhance donor engagement and cultivate lifelong relationships with Cornell University. In collaboration with an Executive Director of Development, the AVP will direct the creation and execution of innovative cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies. This role involves leading, training, and inspiring the leadership team to achieve excellence. Additionally, the AVP will work hand-in-hand with chief development officers and academic leaders to secure transformative gifts and build a thriving donor pipeline.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Management:

• Lead major gift initiatives, collaborating with academic and university leaders to drive fundraising success. Serve as the primary liaison for all major gift-related matters.

Team Leadership:

• Manage, motivate, and mentor a sizable team of major gift officers, ensuring professional growth and successful performance.
• Lead a team that successfully meets and builds on key goals annually and during campaigns; regularly track and manage fundraising progress for each team and manage team performance through established metrics and expectations.

Collaboration:

• Work closely with principal gifts, the campaign office, colleges and units, and other teams to maximize donor potential and enhance lifelong relationships with the university.
• Meet regularly with key AAD partners to ensure goal alignment across programs. These partners include alumni affairs, Discovery team, Prospect Development and Research, Operations, Communications and Trust, Estates, and Gift Planning.

Budget Management:

• Oversee the creation and management of the program budget, ensuring operational efficiency and consistency with division guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 7-10 years of demonstrated success in major gift fundraising and fundraising management or equivalent combination.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion,
• and wellbeing
• Demonstrated experience in managing, motivating, and mentoring a team.
• Must have excellent organizational management, strategic planning, communication, and negotiation skills.
• The Associate Vice President must be flexible and collaborative in his/her approach to working with others and engender respect for colleagues, administration, and volunteers to maximize the full fundraising potential of the Major Gifts program.
• is strongly ethical and possesses values and judgment that support the University's and Division's missions.
• Frequent travel is required.

Rewards and Benefits

Cornell receives national recognition, as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. Benefits include:

• Professional development opportunities (i.e. - Plus Delta Fundraising training)
• Comprehensive health care options
• Access to wellness programs
• Employee discounts with local and national retail brands
• Generous retirement contributions
• Leave provisions including three weeks of vacation and 12 holidays
• Impressive educational benefits including tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, Tuition Aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance program
• Learn more about benefit opportunities

This position is based in Ithaca, NY with hybrid work arrangements, which means 4 days on campus and the option to work 1 day remotely from a commutable distance.

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.

University Job Title:

Director Major Gifts

Job Family:

Alumni Affairs Development

Level:

I

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$231,184.00 - $282,558.00

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 (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

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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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, 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. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

2024-06-26

EEO Statement: Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Minimum Salary: 31200.00 Maximum Salary: 31200.00 Salary Unit: Yearly