Administrative Assistant to the Associate Dean and Director of Development
About The Position
This role provides high-level administrative support, including complex calendaring, budget monitoring, invoice processing, and office coordination. The position collaborates with the A&S AA&D team and regularly interacts with deans, faculty, trustees, alumni, donors, and university leadership to support fundraising and engagement initiatives. This role requires strong organization, communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Cornell University’s College of Arts and Sciences is the university’s largest and most diverse academic unit, bringing together thousands of students, faculty, and staff across 28 departments and numerous programs, institutes, and centers. The College provides a rigorous liberal arts and sciences education grounded in Ezra Cornell’s vision of accessible learning across all fields of study. Faculty contribute to teaching, research, scholarship, and creative work while encouraging critical thinking, collaboration, and innovative problem-solving.
Requirements
- Associate degree and 2–4 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, databases, and the ability to manage and manipulate large data sets.
- Experience coordinating travel arrangements and high-visibility events.
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to remain organized, flexible, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
- Strong customer service orientation with a commitment to supporting internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to proactively manage priorities, meet deadlines, and balance competing demands while responding to urgent assignments.
- Ability to build and maintain inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members.
- Ability to navigate and effectively work within a complex, highly collaborative organization.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university, or the equivalent in higher education, industry or government.
- Experience working as an office manager, including working with budgets would be preferred.
- Knowledge and experience with Alumni Affairs and Development informational systems preferred.
Responsibilities
- Provide high-level administrative support to the Associate Dean and Director of Development, including managing calendars, preparing meeting materials, maintaining files, and coordinating correspondence.
- Arrange and coordinate travel logistics, including travel reimbursements and accommodations for leadership and university guests.
- Support communication and coordination across the Arts & Sciences Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) team and extended college community.
- Schedule and coordinate meetings, meals, and events with alumni, donors, college supporters, faculty, and university stakeholders.
- Compile, maintain, and distribute meeting notes, event reports, agendas, and related documentation.
- Serve as a primary administrative contact for alumni and provide support for dean and leadership engagement activities.
- Coordinate mailings, listservs, invitations, RSVP tracking, and communications for college events and initiatives.
- Provide administrative support for the College’s Advisory Council, including managing mailing lists, coordinating logistics, preparing meeting materials, and responding to inquiries.
- Develop and maintain tracking systems, reports, and databases to monitor campaign goals, engagement activities, and college initiatives.
- Compile annual reports, work plans, activity summaries, and other departmental reports.
- Generate and analyze data reports to support travel planning, donor engagement, and activity planning for college leadership.
- Monitor departmental budgets, process expenses, and prepare financial reports for leadership and departmental activities.
- Coordinate administrative support with other team members and assist with college, AA&D, and university events.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care options
- Generous retirement contributions
- Access to wellness programs
- Employee discounts with local and national retail brands
- Health and personal leave
- Three weeks of vacation
- 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.
- Two additional floating holidays
- Tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program
- Tuition aid for external education
- Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
