Director of Development - Lab of Ornithology

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Director of Development at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, based in Ithaca, New York. This leadership role offers an exciting opportunity to advance one of the world's premier conservation, research, education, and citizen science organizations through strategic philanthropy and donor engagement.

Position Summary

The Director of Development provides strategic leadership for a comprehensive fundraising program that advances the philanthropic priorities of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement, this position oversees an eight-person development team responsible for major gifts, planned giving, donor stewardship, and events while personally managing a portfolio of 30-35 high-capacity donors. Working closely with Lab leadership and Cornell Alumni Affairs and Development partners, the Director leads fundraising strategies that drive philanthropic investment in the Lab's global mission and priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy supporting the priorities of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, including major gifts, planned giving, donor stewardship, events, and campaign initiatives.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of eight development professionals, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and donor-centered culture.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 30-35 major donor prospects and secure significant philanthropic commitments through strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Partner with Lab leadership to identify funding opportunities, develop donor engagement strategies, and align fundraising priorities with organizational goals.
• Oversee prospect management, portfolio strategy, and fundraising forecasting in collaboration with Cornell Alumni Affairs and Development partners.
• Represent the Lab in relationships with donors, volunteers, university leaders, and external stakeholders while serving as a visible ambassador for the Lab's mission.

About Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology attracts and engages members and supporters at all levels of knowledge and commitment to increase understanding, appreciation and protection of birds and biodiversity. Bridging the Lab’s science and conservation resources with the public’s broad-ranged interests in birds and the natural world, the Lab has more than 190,000 members. Our full-service development function includes thriving major and leadership gifts, planned giving, annual giving and membership and gift processing programs.

About the College

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a unit of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), 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: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated success managing donor relationships and securing major gifts is required.
• Demonstrated success leading fundraising initiatives and managing donor relationships.
• Strong supervisory experience with the ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong strategic planning, organizational, and problem-solving abilities, with a demonstrated capacity to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally and work occasional evenings or weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience securing principal, major, or planned gifts at the six- and seven-figure level.
• Passion for conservation, science, education, biodiversity, or environmental causes.
• Experience translating complex research, programs, or scientific initiatives into compelling donor opportunities.

Work Location

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely one (1) day per week and four (4) days per week on campus. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

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