Development Officer

Reports to the Senior Director of Development and serves as a key frontline gift officer for the development team. This position oversees a portfolio of 150-200 major gift prospects among alumni, parents, and friends in designated geographic regions, securing gifts, pledges, and planned giving commitments to forward the college’s priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manages a major gift portfolio of approximately 125-150 prospects and donors who can make a gift of $50,000 or greater.
• Develops and implements strategies for cultivating and soliciting prospects, including outright gifts, pledges, and planned gifts, while furthering the prospect's engagement with the college.
• Travels to assigned geographic regions, averaging 12 monthly face-to-face meetings, including initiating prospect meetings, setting up appointments, and maintaining timely follow-up and stewardship.
• Documents all interactions in contact reports within 10 days of each visit.
• Contributes actively to prospect management meetings, discussing strategies to advance prospective donors.
• Participates in class reunions, alumni events, Homecoming weekend, and additional fundraising events as needed.
• Works with campus partners across the college to coordinate or support major gift fundraising and solicitations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Relationships

Reports directly to the Senior Director of Development. Regular contact with college staff and alumni; occasional contact with faculty and Trustees.

About Cornell College

Cornell College is a selective liberal arts college distinguished by our Ingenuity curriculum that builds on the strengths of our One Course At A Time schedule. This combination encourages the qualities of being thoughtful, original, and inventive, using the strengths of a liberal arts education to apply ideas to solve problems and meet challenges through hands-on experience in learning. Academic immersion, Division III NCAA athletic teams, and unparalleled flexibility attract an ambitious student body from across the U.S. and worldwide. We are located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, an urban fringe community in the heart of the ICR Iowa region.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2-5 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in higher education fundraising.
• Ability and willingness to travel; valid driver's license and insurability for travel.
• Demonstrated understanding of the liberal arts education.
• Experience in face-to-face fundraising or sales is preferred.

Skills

• Proficiency in fundraising and development best practices.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and computer skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, interact professionally, and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a collaborative environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, Google Suite, and relevant organizational software.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• HSA & FSA accounts.
• TIAA 403(b) retirement account.
• Tuition remission and exchange for employees and dependents.
• Life insurance, disability insurance, travel insurance, and accident insurance.
• 4-week vacation accrual and 14.5 paid holidays per year for full-time staff.

Pay

The hiring pay range for this position is $60,000–$70,000.