---

---

Location

Ithaca, NY | United States

---

Job description

Associate Director of Annual Giving, CALS and Cornell Botanic Gardens

Cornell University, a nationally ranked Ivy League institution, is looking for a Associate Director of Annual Giving, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and Cornell Botanic Gardens to join the Alumni Affairs & Development division in Ithaca, NY.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University's second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental resources; and social, physical and economic well-being.

Cornell Botanic Gardens is a living plant museum comprising over 3,700 acres of University land in three major areas: the Botanical Gardens, Arboretum, and Natural Areas. As a university asset and unit of CALS, Botanic Gardens manages and protects these areas to support teaching and research at Cornell University; to preserve habitats and rare and endangered plants; and for public use for learning and recreation. Its mission is inspiring people--through cultivation, conservation, and education--to understand, appreciate, and nuture plants and the cultures they sustain.

The CALS Alumni Affairs and Development team coordinates and manages fundraising, engagement programs, donor relations, business partnerships, and stewardship for the College. We work closely with CALS and Cornell Botanic Gardens senior leadership, faculty, and staff to set goals in alignment with college priorities and interdisciplinary initiatives. We develop and participate in a wide range of innovative and purposeful fundraising and engagement activities throughout the year. CALS, inclusive of Cornell Botanic Gardens, averages about $37M in gifts each year, with support from businesses, corporations, and foundations averaging $10M annually.

Reporting to the Director of CALS Alumni Affairs and Development and Director of Development of the Cornell Botanic Gardens the Associate Director of Annual Giving for CALS and Cornell Botanic Gardens is responsible for leading and growing CALS and the Cornell Botanic Garden's Annual Giving program. CALS Annual Fund and the Cornell Botanic Gardens Annual Fund currently raises $2.5M+ in unrestricted dollars each year from 4,000 donors.

The Associate Director's responsibilities include setting near and long-term goals, implementing a plan to achieve those goals, analyzing, and disseminating results, increasing overall participation in annual giving, coordinating with colleagues to leverage reunion-based and event-based giving opportunities, overseeing data integrity efforts and managing a portfolio of 20 leadership gift prospects with the inclination of supporting the CALS Annual Fund and Cornell Botanic Gardens Annual Fund.

Key Responsibilities

• In consultation with college leadership set annual fund and annual giving goals for CALS and Cornell Botanic Gardens.
• In concert with Central AA&D develop a comprehensive, multi-channel plan to solicit current and future annual fund/annual giving donors, including direct mail, email, phoning, texting, 1:1 outreach, Giving Day, and crowdfunding.
• Actively participate in the AA&D Annual Giving group meetings representing Cornell Botanic Gardens and CALS Annual Fund.
• Lead writing and messaging strategy for annual giving appeals.
• Oversee production and timelines, in partnership with internal colleagues and vendors. Seek opportunities for testing and utilize learnings and best practices from colleagues throughout the university and peer institutions.
• Work to develop and actively manage a portfolio of 20 annual giving and leadership gift prospects for CALS Annual Fund and Cornell Botanic Gardens Annual Fund seeking to grow Dean's Level Support ($10K+).
• Create a plan to reach 100% participation in annual fund giving for CALSAA, CALS Advisory Council, and Cornell Botanic Gardens Advisory Council.
• Develop segmentation strategy for broad base of constituents and devise appropriate messaging and cadence for key segments, within a nuanced data environment. Take the lead on development of metrics and analyze performance of annual giving campaigns through all channels across all affiliations. Set campaign and segment targets, track progress toward goals, recommending course corrections as needed, and test to learn and determine best ROI.
• Develop stewardship plan for Cornell CALS and Cornell Botanic Gardens annual fund donors to build awareness of the importance of unrestricted giving, in addition to other areas of giving.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3 to 5 years relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion , and wellbeing.
• Understanding of and ability to advocate for the importance of the student experience and higher education.
• Demonstrated communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Knowledge of the practices of fundraising and individual giving.
• Proven leadership skills and ability to work as part of a team. Open to feedback and demonstrates a growth mindset.
• Effective organizational skills, project management, initiative, and detail orientation. Curiosity and eagerness to grow knowledge base and deeply immerse self into the division.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Energetic, self-motivated, and engaging professional with sound judgment who can effectively and diplomatically work with colleagues, high-level administrators, donors, and outside constituencies.
• Ability to appropriately handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to excel while handling multiple tasks and competing priorities at the same time.
• Must be able and willing to work occasional weekends, evenings, and to undertake business travel.

Rewards and Benefits

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

This position is based in Ithaca, NY with hybrid arrangements.

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.

University Job Title:

Annual Fund Officer III

Job Family:

Alumni Affairs Development

Level:

G

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$77,905.00 - $95,217.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid Remote

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Rachel Colunio

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)

Union Positions

Current Employees:

Online Submission Guidelines :

Employment Assistance:

Notice to Applicants:

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.

2024-02-22

---

Job tags

---

---

Salary