Department and Position Background
Cornell University, a nationally ranked Ivy League institution, is looking for an Assistant Director of Annual Giving for the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art to join the Alumni Affairs & Development division in Ithaca, NY.
The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University is seeking a development professional to join its high-performing team as Assistant Director, Annual Giving. Reporting to the Director of Development and working within both the Museum and Alumni Affairs and Development division (AA&D), this position will bring enthusiasm, vision, creativity and results to the Museum’s annual fund and membership program. This position will serve as a strategic partner for the Director of Development and will play a key role in significantly strengthening the important foundation of unrestricted philanthropic support that the annual fund and membership program provide year after year for the Museum.
The successful candidate will be a collaborative, strategic, and intellectually curious thinker who takes initiative, shares their ideas and is eager to build a pipeline of new donors and grow the Museum’s strong tradition of philanthropic giving. They will contribute to the team’s culture of playful experimentation and celebrating successes. Success in this position is measured by year-over-year growth in donors and unrestricted dollars to the annual fund and membership program, effective engagement with new and longtime members, and their contribution to the university’s culture of belonging and inclusion.
Key Responsibilities
- Directing the Museum’s annual fund and membership program by inspiring the retention of existing donors and increasing dollars raised and number of donors for Johnson Museum a utilizing a multichannel annual giving strategy
- Strategically utilizing direct mail, email and personal solicitations, crowdfunding initiatives, engagement opportunities and social media to reach and expand the giving of Cornell alumni, parents, faculty/staff, former interns, and friends of the Johnson Museum
- Participating in goal setting and analyzing data that will drive decision making for the team’s annual work plan and priorities
- Managing the Museum’s annual participation in Cornell Giving Day
- Partnering with Gift Officers across the Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) Division for cultivating and soliciting their prospects that give $5,000 and greater
- Overseeing stewardship of the Museum’s donors for unrestricted gifts at all levels
- Ensuring that our diverse community is represented in our donor and membership base
- Designing and leading events that help identify new annual fund donors and members
- Preparing data-focused reports quarterly to show progress towards goals
- Establishing, maintaining, and growing a new membership database and streamlining processes for membership renewals
- In coordination with the Museum’s Editorial Manager, oversee all communications for the Museums’ annual fund and membership programs, including segmented communications to supporters that help steward and engage these donors
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and 2 to 4 years relevant experience or equivalent combination
- Superior writing skills and truly enjoy writing as a form of meaningful and thoughtful communication to varying audiences and through different voices
- Self-motivated professional
- Effective multi-tasker that can prioritize assignments for completion in a timely manner
- Strong organizational skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Strong analytic skills to ensure data-driven results
- Ability to work with alumni and donors effectively and diplomatically, colleagues, members of the faculty, high-level-administrators, volunteer leaders, friends and other constituents.
- Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.
- Must be able to conduct oneself in a professional and ethical manner, and work with highly sensitive and confidential information.
- Confidence with and comfort learning and navigating computer software, databases, and networked information systems.
- Must be able to travel occasionally to support Museum development events and attend events throughout the year
Rewards and Benefits
Cornell receives national recognition, as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. Benefits include:
- Comprehensive health care 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
- Impressive educational benefits including tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, Tuition Aid for external education, and Cornell Children’s Tuition Assistance program
- Learn more about benefit opportunities
This position is based in Ithaca, NY with hybrid work arrangements.
No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.
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