Major Gifts Associate - Lab of Ornithology

Cornell University
relocation assistance
United States, New York, Ithaca
337 Pine Tree Road (Show on map)
Nov 21, 2024
Major Gifts Associate - Lab of Ornithology APPLY As a university founded to be a place where "...any person can find instruction in any study," diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all. Cornell Core values As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture. While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Successare foundational to what is expected ofevery employee and leader working at Cornell. These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success Department Background The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world's leading resource for conservation, research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. The Lab is a vibrant unit within Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), where full-time faculty and many other renowned professionals direct world-class, mission-driven programs. Staff at the Lab teach undergraduate courses, advise graduate students, collect, and disseminate world-famous digital resources on biodiversity, and engage with partner organizations and citizens around the world to conduct scientific research and conservation actions. Our management and staff are committed to the highest standards of ethics and excellence in all areas of our work, and our Board leadership includes faculty from Cornell and other universities, successful entrepreneurs and managers from the business and non-profit sectors, and conservation-minded citizens from the United States and beyond. The Cornell Lab is committed to fostering a healthy workplace that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds as well as supporting growth and advancement opportunities. The Lab is an inclusive community, and we recognize that diverse, inclusive communities create more innovative and impactful work to address global challenges and benefit humanity and nature. The Lab welcomes staff who are still learning in their careers and who are motivated to take on new challenges in all aspects of professional development and mentorship. Position Summary While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others. The Major Gifts Associate partners with one or more gift officers (GOs) to manage the Lab of Ornithology's closest and most generous families with the capacity to make gifts of $1M+. Utilizing excellent writing and organizational skills, the Major Gifts Associate ensures timely and robust communication, project management, research, and gift tracking. The Major Gifts Associate works collaboratively with GOs, development colleagues, faculty, students, and staff, and plays a vital role in the effort to secure significant support for research programs and Lab priorities from individuals and their personal foundations. The Major Gifts Associate manages and triages workflow to allow GOs to spend optimal time interacting with prospects or working with senior leaders and faculty to advance goals. With a broad, sophisticated understanding of the Lab's strengths and in-depth knowledge of institutional priorities, the Major Gifts Associate is a key partner with GOs and the Executive Director, contributing to setting and delivering principal gifts fundraising and engagement strategies and goals. The Major Gifts Associate is especially relied upon when GOs are unavailable to provide insight and guidance to leadership and colleagues on matters related to donor engagement and philanthropy. Creativity, flexibility, and a proactive approach are vital in this role. Major Gifts Associate has excellent communication skills-verbal and written-and demonstrates exceptional integrity. With access to sensitive and confidential information, the Major Gifts Associate maintains a keen sense of accountability, sound judgement, and ethical professionalism in a deadline-driven, high-performing environment. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree with four years of directly related experience, such as fundraising, project management, and/or communications experience. Demonstrated strong time and project management skills and ability to work independently with little supervision. Superior writing skills. Sound judgement and demonstrated experience dealing with sensitive and condential data and information in a professional and ethical manner. Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing. Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Flexibility to take on new assignments as needed and deal with ambiguity as new programs and paradigms emerge. Evidence of being highly adaptable in working with evolving priorities. Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and inter-personal skills. Ability to work with individuals from across the Lab, as well as external partners. Demonstrated experience in producing high-quality deliverables in a deadline-driven, high-performing environment. Ability to learn and understand the Lab's priorities and accounting and nancial processes. Knowledge of and appreciation for the mission of the Lab and ability to represent it broadly. Ability to work both independently and collegially with a diverse range of colleagues, faculty, donors, volunteers, and prospects in building consensus and achieving desired outcomes. Must be able to work in a fast-paced, demanding environment while using sound judgment in decision making and in accomplishing tasks that are urgent or of a sensitive or confidential nature while meeting competing deadlines. Demonstrated proficiency with technology and knowledge of relational database management systems and ability to work with complex data for analysis. Must be able and willing to work occasional weekends, evenings, and to travel on behalf of the Cornell Lab. Must maintain a clean and valid driver's license and U.S. passport, or the ability to obtain a passport and travel internationally. Preferred Qualifications Non-profit or higher education fundraising experience, or work within a similarly complex environment. Active commitments to science, conservation, nature, and higher education. Basic understanding of the concepts and principles of fundraising. Experience with Raiser's Edge. How to Apply: You must submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. Applications will not be considered without both submitted documents. When applying through our system, please attach your application materials (resume/CV and cover letter). You can upload documents either by "dragging and dropping" them into the dropbox or by using the "upload" icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website. If you are an internal employee, please log in to Workday. Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information. University Job Title: Gift Associate II Job Family: Alumni Affairs Development Level: F Pay Rate Type: Salary Pay Range: $70,208.00 - $81,593.00 Remote Option Availability: Hybrid Company: Contract College Contact Name: Hannah Parker Carver 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 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. Current Employees: If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell. Online Submission Guidelines: Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by "dragging and dropping" them into the dropbox or by using the "upload" icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website. Employment Assistance: For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu. If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email atequity@cornell.edu. Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu. Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant. 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. 2024-11-19