Director of Development

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.

University Job Title:

AAD Development Director

Job Family:

Alumni Affairs Development

Level:

H

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$143,390.00 - $175,254.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Laura Clark

Contact Email:

[email protected]

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 [email protected].

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 Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, 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.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-11-04