Assistant Director of Stewardship

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

Cornell University , a nationally ranked Ivy League institution, is looking for creative, thoughtful and organized Assistant Director of Stewardship to join the Alumni Affairs and Development team in the College of Arts and Sciences. This is a full- time, hybrid position in Ithaca, NY.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the nexus of discovery and impact– where imagination, the pursuit of knowledge and a global perspective create the foundation for discovery, success and a life well lived. The college is the largest and most academically diverse college at Cornell, offering 40 undergraduate majors, 35 graduate fields and boasts a network of over 65,000 alumni. Our research and academic programs are all curiosity driven with focus on research and scholarly excellence; academic innovation and the student experience; faculty renewal and support; local and global public engagement. 

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Alumni Affairs and Development, the Assistant Director of Stewardship will work collaboratively with college and university partners to create and implement a stewardship strategy and plan that engages and inspires our philanthropic partners. This position is crucial to the college’s efforts to raise $60M each year, deepening the college’s relationship with supporters by acknowledging and showing the impact of their gifts.

The ideal candidate is imaginative, collaborative and organized. They have excellent writing skills, process oriented, experience in working with digital media, and is masterful in connecting with multiple audiences and has a basic understanding of the basic principles of fundraising.

Key Responsibilities

• Establishes and maintains a structured, systematic, and repeatable stewardship program with special attention to major and principal gifts. Ensures that the timely, thorough, and transparent tracking and reporting of stewardship activities/data on behalf of both internal and external constituents

• Manages the college’s acknowledgement process, especially as it relates to the dean and associate dean.

• Coordinates with college partners and departments to track gift usage, ensure compliance with gift agreements and reporting, and create content for stewardship activity.

• Create and maintain opportunities for public recognition, which may include named spaces, and serve as the liaison for college on related division and university activities.

• Assists major gift officers in acknowledging donors by way of visits, providing information, handling thank you letters, and other forms of recognition.

Core Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of experience or equivalent.

• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders in a professional manner adding value to processes and outcomes.  

• Ability to craft compelling stories and informational pieces that support strategic goals. Excellent writing, copyediting, and proofreading skills; ability to synthesize information and compose clear and effective materials.

• Strong knowledge of fundraising and stewardship best practices.

• Self-motivated and self-directed. Ability to multi-task and prioritize workload. Can work independently and as a collaborative team member.

• A sense of creativity, fun, and humor, combined with a disciplined commitment to planning, measuring, and learning. 

• Commitment to engage with colleagues and alumni in ways that actively foster a diverse and inclusive environment. 

Rewards and Benefits

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

• 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 the ability to work in a hybrid environment.  

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.

As part of the university’s comprehensive vaccination program , all Cornell employees are required to have and provide proof of an FDA-or WHO-authorized or approved COVID-19 primary vaccination or have obtained a university-approved disability/medical or religious exemption, regardless of their role and work location.

University Job Title:

Stewardship Ofcr II

Job Family:

Alumni Affairs Development

Level:

F

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$63,632.00 – $73,951.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid Remote

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Laura Clark

Number of Openings:

1

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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Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected] .

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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, 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.

2023-01-27-08:00