Development Officer

Position Summary
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.

Duties & 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. These strategies will include soliciting outright gifts, pledges, and planned gifts when appropriate, as well as furthering the prospect's level of engagement with the college.
• Travels to assigned geographic regions, making an average of 12 monthly face-to-face meetings. This involves initiating regular prospect meetings, setting up appointments and travel schedules, and maintaining timely follow-up and stewardship with prospects and donors.
• Document all interactions in contact reports within 10 days of each visit. Contribute actively to prospect management meetings, discussing strategies and solutions to advance prospective donors.
• Participants 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.
• 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 located in the heart of the ICR Iowa region.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required, with 2-5 years of relevant 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.

Preferred Skills

• Proficiency in fundraising and development best practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively, interact professionally, maintain confidentiality in various situations, and be an articulate spokesperson on behalf of Cornell College.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and computer skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, contributing to a collaborative environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications: Google Suite and relevant organizational software.

Working Conditions


Work is performed primarily while seated in an office environment. Some walking from building to building on campus is needed to attend various meetings. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as assigned. All requirements are subject to change over time, with possible modifications made to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.


Cornell employees enjoy a fantastic benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, HSA & FSA accounts, a TIAA 403(b) retirement account, and tuition remission and exchange for employees and dependents. The college also offers life insurance, disability insurance, travel insurance, and accident insurance. And, all full-time staff begin with a 4-week vacation accrual along with 14.5 paid holidays per year. The hiring pay range for this position is $60-70K.

Application Process

To apply, submit a resume and list of at least three professional references through Cornell College's online application system.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.


Cornell is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. Cornell complies with Iowa's Smoke-free Air Act. Cornell utilizes E-Verify and requires the satisfactory completion of a background check.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.