Assistant Dean for Alumni Affairs and Development in the School of Industrial an

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Assistant Dean for Alumni Affairs & Development in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished fundraiser to be part of a team at the world's leading institution focused on work, employment, and labor while playing a key role in an innovative development support model designed to maximize collaboration, efficiency, and fundraising success.As the school's chief development officer, you will partner closely with the Dean to advance strategic priorities through philanthropy, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship. Working with faculty, alumni, donors, volunteers and university partners, you will develop and execute strategies that inspire philanthropic investment in the school's mission and future growth.The successful candidate will join a newly established collaborative development and engagementsupport model that brings together three chief development officers and a dedicated team of professionals specializing in alumni engagement, major gifts, and administrative support. Designed to maximize fundraising impact through shared expertise and resources, this collaborative structure provides the Assistant Deanthe opportunity to help shape a new approach to development while focusing on relationship building, fundraising strategy, and philanthropic results.While this position does not have direct reports, it offers significant opportunities to lead through influence, partnership, and strategic vision. The Assistant Dean will serve as a trusted advisor to the Dean and member of their leadership team a key contributor to the continued growth and success of The ILR School.Key ResponsibilitiesLead a Development Program * Serves as the chief development officer for the ILR School, leading fundraising and alumni engagement strategy aligned with school priorities * Cultivates and manages relationships with major donors, alumni, and key stakeholders to secure philanthropic support. * Partners with the Dean, faculty, alumni, volunteers, and donors to secure philanthropic support and advance strategic initiatives. * Build strong relationships with fundraisers situated in the central AAD operation to advance ILR's fundraising aims.Inspire Transformational Philanthropy * Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects capable of making significant investments in the future of The ILR School. * Develop and execute donor strategies that result in meaningful philanthropic support and long-term engagement. * Build and strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, volunteers, and university partners. Collaboration for Impact * Work closely with a dedicated team of engagement and development professionals specializing in alumni engagement, major gifts, operations, and administrative support. * Partner with peer chief development officers from the Atkinson Center for Sustainability and the Cornell University Libraries as well as colleagues across Cornell to maximize fundraising outcomes and organizational effectiveness. * Contribute to the continued evolution of a collaborative development support model designed for long-term success. Required Qualifications * Bachelor's degree and 7-10 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience. * Proven success in developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies that achieve ambitious goals. * Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build collaborative relationships across a complex, matrixed organization. * Strong ability to work as a collaborative partner within a shared service model, contributing to team success and providing constructive input to support continuous improvement. * Proficiency with fundraising databases, CRM systems, and standard office software. * Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; ability to work effectively across cultural differenc