As Cornell University enters its next multi-billion-dollar campaign, the Executive Director of Leadership Annual Giving, a leader in Cornell’s engagement and fundraising team, will play a critical role in leading a growing team of 16 staff members across a program that includes leadership giving and volunteer giving initiatives – responsible for building a pipeline of support from alumni, parents, and friends with a focus on raising donations of $1000 or more for the Cornell Annual Funds. The successful candidate will also work in partnership with the Alumni Affairs and Development Communications Team to set a multi-channel strategy at the $1,000+ leadership giving levels. They will drive a culture of discovery as Cornell focuses on building out its constituency to its greatest potential leading up to and throughout its next campaign.

The Executive Director reports to the Associate Vice President of Colleges and Units and is considered an important partner working with multiple colleagues to deliver more than $47M+ per year of unrestricted support to Cornell, delivering approximately 10 percent of the total money raised for the Ithaca campus each year. The Cornell Annual Funds total has more than doubled during the past ten years and is expected to experience continued, robust growth during Cornell’s campaign.

The successful candidate will be an innovative, strategic, creative and intellectually curious/broad thinker who has a demonstrated track record of driving and inspiring a culture of giving within and external to Cornell. With the Associate Vice President for Colleges and Units oversight, the Executive Director is responsible for setting campaign and annual fund goals and creating new fundraising strategies that build on the University’s strong tradition of philanthropic giving and committed alumni base, further building a long-term base of support for the University.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 7 years of relevant experience in University annual giving programs or similar experience in a non-profit organization that emphasizes broad-based fundraising across multiple programs, donor acquisition, volunteer management, and stewardship experience.
• Ability to effectively strategize and engage various groups and constituents, including, senior administrators, major and principal gift officers, College and Unit staff, alumni, donors, volunteers and major benefactors to positively impact donor support to the University.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing annual giving programs in a complex environment, and the ability to integrate an annual giving strategy with program partners including communications, direct marketing; major gifts development, donor relations and colleges and units.
• Demonstrated ability to provide management oversight, leadership, and direction to a diverse team.  At least four years of growing supervisory experience. Possess a supportive and accessible management style, a proven ability to succeed in a matrix-based performance structure, and a strong commitment to personal and professional development for self and team members.
• Demonstrated track record of managing complex relationships, proven collaboration and teamwork skills, extensive experience working with volunteers and knowledge of multi-channel fundraising.
• Ability to think strategically, critically and creatively. In concert with the Office of Communications, oversee the messaging for multi-channel solicitations and communications at the $1,000+ level.
• Ability to work in a data-rich environment where decisions are based on analysis, testing, and a commitment to iterative process improvement.
• Particular strength in developing strategic and comprehensive annual fundraising plans that directly affect the Divisional metric dashboard and executing against these plans to achieve goals and successful outcomes.
• Creating and managing a budget is critical as is experience working directly with senior levels of the organization.
• Possess outstanding written and oral communication skills; attention to detail; demonstrate high initiative and flexibility, and ability to work with diverse stakeholders and program areas.
• Possesses a high degree of personal integrity and a commitment to AAD’s values of Service, Unity, Respect, and Excellence.
• Strong computer skills, which should include desktop software, databases, and networked information systems; familiarity with technology and other innovations that can streamline the development process and contribute to the integration of alumni affairs and development function.
• Ability to synthesize data and create strategy based on that data.
• Serve on division-wide committees and tasks forces that support the further development of alumni affairs and development at Cornell.
• Travel time is required. Occasional weekend time commitments due to on campus and off campus events.
• Must maintain a valid and unrestricted driver’s license.

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. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. 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.