Associate Director, University Foundation Relations and Corporate Philanthropy

Cornell University, an Ivy League institution, seeks an Associate Director for the Office of University Foundation Relations and Corporate Philanthropy (UFRCP) within the Alumni Affairs & Development (AAD) division.

The UFRCP team guides organizations through the university, identifies collaboration opportunities, aligns them with faculty and programs, and supports the proposal process from initial conversations to funded partnerships. Our office is a resource in central AAD and services all the academic units that generate and steward philanthropic support from corporations and foundations.

Role Overview: The Associate Director will manage a portfolio of private foundations, corporations, and corporate foundations, developing competitive proposals in the 6 to 7-figure range. This role focuses on securing support for the social sciences, humanities, arts, libraries, Law School, and Student and Campus Life initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategy Advisement: Engage campus leaders, facilitate dialogue around new ideas, and develop strategies aligning with campaign and funder priorities. Provide writing/editing support for high-quality competitive proposals, letters of inquiry, and letters of endorsement/support.

• Relationship Management: With impeccable judgment and self-direction, manage a portfolio of 30-50 top priority foundation donors and prospects. Cultivate relationships through in-person meetings, on-campus site visits, and regular communications. Secure 3-5 gifts annually in the $1M - $5M range.

• Research & Information Sharing: Conduct independent research on foundation leadership and priorities, industry trends, and peer institutions. Participate in campus information-sharing meetings to stay updated on AAD Division updates, innovative faculty research, and deans’ priorities. Contribute to developing and delivering programs to educate faculty, staff, and board members about securing philanthropic funding.

• Stewardship: Assist with producing impact reports, personalized stewardship reports, and coordination of site visits. Facilitate campus events, engage with faculty and students, and oversee post-award management and stewardship activities to meet reporting requirements and build positive relationships with foundations and corporations.

Qualifications:

• Experience in and commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing.

• Passion for working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.

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

• Understanding of and ability to advocate for the importance of university research and higher education.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; highly analytical thinker with the proven ability to conceive, develop, and write proposals that result in financial support.

• Excellent presentation, writing, proofreading, and editing skills.

• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

• Experience in proactively developing partnerships with external and internal stakeholders.

• Proven success in achieving personal results and results through others.

• Team-oriented, self-directed, and able to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive healthcare 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

• Educational benefits, including tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, Tuition Aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance program

Location: This position is based in Ithaca, NY, with hybrid work arrangements, which means a minimum of 2 days on campus and the remainder remote from a commutable distance.

No Visa Sponsorship is available.