Discovery Officer

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY, USA
Base: $81,806.00 - $95,072.00; bonus/equity: not s...
Hybrid
Identify and qualify major gift prospects
Conduct prospect meetings annually
Manage a portfolio of qualified prospects
As a Discovery Officer, you will be a key player on the front-line fundraising team responsible for strengthening Cornell’s major gift pipeline by identifying, qualifying, and engaging prospective donors

Job Summary

  • As a Discovery Officer, you will be a key player on the front-line fundraising team responsible for strengthening Cornell’s major gift pipeline by identifying, qualifying, and engaging prospective donors.
  • Manage a portfolio of ~50 qualified prospects with capacity for $10,000+ gifts and multi-year commitments up to $1M.
  • Cornell's Alumni Affairs and Development division, widely regarded as one of the top-performing advancement organizations in higher education, connects alumni, parents, and friends with opportunities to advance the university's mission through philanthropy and engagement.

Matching Summary

As a Discovery Officer, you will be a key player on the front-line fundraising team responsible for strengthening Cornell’s major gift pipeline by identifying, qualifying, and engaging prospective donors.

Salary

Base: $81,806.00 - $95,072.00; Bonus/Equity: Not specified; Benefits: Comprehensive health care, retirement contributions, wellness programs, employee discounts, generous leave provisions, educational benefits

Skills & Requirements

Must-have

  • Identify and qualify major gift prospects
  • Conduct prospect meetings annually
  • Manage a portfolio of qualified prospects
  • Document strategies in CRM systems
  • Strategic portfolio development

Nice-to-have

  • Strengthen university's major gift pipeline
  • Advance institutional priorities
  • Cultivate meaningful relationships
  • Commitment to excellence

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years of experience
  • Experience with CRM systems and research tools
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities
  • Willingness to travel

Work Rights

Not specified

Tailored Resume

Cover Letter