About the College, School, Unit or Department University Relations serves as a key connector between Cornell University and its many stakeholders, helping advance the university's strategic priorities through communications, government relations, community engagement, and executive leadership support. This collaborative division works closely with Cornell's senior administration and academic leadership, internal partners across the university, and external partners in Ithaca, NYC, Albany, Washington D.C., and beyond.
The Opportunity Are you a highly organized professional who thrives in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment? Do you enjoy anticipating needs, building strong relationships, and helping leaders operate at their best?
Cornell University is seeking an Executive Administrative Coordinator to support the Vice President and Associate Vice President for University Relations and partner closely with the department and the university’s leadership teams. This is much more than a traditional administrative role. You will become a trusted strategic partner who helps keep critical initiatives moving forward while working alongside Cornell's senior leadership teams.
The ideal candidate is exceptionally detail-oriented, proactive, and energized by supporting complex operations, managing competing priorities, and creating solutions before problems arise. If you are someone who enjoys building relationships, exercising sound judgment, and taking ownership of meaningful work that impacts the university, we encourage you to apply.
What you’ll Do
In this highly visible position, you will:
- Serve as a key partner supporting the Vice President for University Relations, the Associate Vice President for University Relations, and executive priorities.
- Manage complex calendars, schedules and office administration.
- Coordinate executive meetings, events, special projects, travel, and related logistics.
- Coordinate communications and activities involving university senior leadership, including the President, Provost, Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts, Deans, and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate visits to Cornell by dignitaries, elected officials, or other high-profile or special guests.
- Anticipate needs and proactively identify opportunities to improve processes and support strategic objectives.
- Facilitate interactions with internal and external partners, including community leaders, government officials, and university stakeholders.
- Contribute to a collaborative, supportive team culture while independently managing priorities and responsibilities.
- Help ensure operational excellence through exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
- Maintain a high level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
What We Need
- Associates degree with 2 to 4 years’ experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- High level of confidentiality, cooperative team spirit, and positive public relations manner.
- Strong administrative and organizational skills and the ability to balance multiple tasks with competing priorities efficiently, professionally and with minimum supervision, working autonomously as well as part of a team.
- Polished written and verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively engage with department staff, stakeholders across the University, and external vendors and stakeholders. Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships and trust with colleagues and different stakeholders.
- Creative thinking and proactive problem-solving skills.
- Strong analytical skills including attention to small details.
- Knowledgeable with project management and/or program management to deliver on initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to deal with sensitive and confidential matters with tact and discretion.
- Technically savvy with a desire to learn new programs, apps, and systems.
- Must be proficient in MS Office software applications.
It Would Be a Bonus if You Have Any of the Following
- Prior experience in an office requiring highly confidential information and professional atmosphere.
- Demonstrated ability to handle, diplomatically, a wide variety of situations and ability to organize and prioritize multiple work assignments in a timely manner.
- High level of initiative, motivation, independent judgment, decision-making, and commitment to precision and accuracy.
- Knowledge of Cornell University travel and reimbursement system (Concur), Kuali Financial System and payment request systems, and 25Live Event Planner.
Why You'll Love This Role This position offers a unique opportunity to gain exposure to university leadership, strategic decision-making, and institutional priorities while building relationships across Cornell.
You'll join a close-knit, supportive team that values collaboration, professional growth, mutual respect, and work-life balance. The role combines independent responsibility with meaningful partnership and provides opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute in ways that make a visible impact every day.
Important Notes About Applying
- A resume and cover letter outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.
- To receive full consideration, please submit your application by 11:59PM on 11/30/2026.
- This position is based in Ithaca, NY and is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically work on campus four days per week and remotely one day per week following successful onboarding and training. The selected candidate will be expected to work fully on-site during the initial onboarding period. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
- Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
- Relocation assistance is not available for this position.
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.
University Job Title:
Exec Staff Asst II
Job Family:
Administration
Level:
E
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Pay Range:
$69,653.00 - $80,948.00
Remote Option Availability:
Hybrid
Company:
Endowed
Contact Name:
Shallena Cunningham
Contact Email:
sdc93@cornell.edu
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.
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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.
2026-11-12
