Administrative Assistant, CALS Senior Associate Dean’s Office

Cornell University • Ithaca, MI

1d • $29 - $34 • Hybrid

About The Position

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and collaborative Administrative Assistant to support the Senior Associate Deans’ Office. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven academic community that values service, innovation, and excellence. In this pivotal role, you will provide high-level executive and organizational support, often involving sensitive and confidential matters, to two Senior Associate Deans, with primary responsibility for one. You’ll work closely with a dedicated administrative team, serving as a trusted partner, problem-solver, and ambassador for the Dean’s Office.

Requirements

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.
• Associate's degree with 4 to 6 years of relevant professional work experience or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional work experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain an elevated level of confidentiality.
• Ability to interact effectively and easily with the Senior Associate Deans and with the other Administrative Assistants.
• Demonstrated experience as an independent thinker who is self-motivated.
• Prior knowledge of Cornell policies and procedures.
• Ability to conduct a diverse set of tasks, respond to inquiries, and problem-solve with poise, confidence, and independence within a team-based environment.
• Proven skills in project management and coordination.
• Ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure, use prudent judgment in accomplishing tasks that are urgent, balance conflicting priorities, and make decisions from a range of choices.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 5+ years’ experience in an upper-level academic setting.
• Prior experience with Smartsheets, Trello, Workday, Interfolio, and other workplace management software platforms.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for inquiries to the Senior Associate Deans from faculty, staff, and internal/external partners.
• Navigate a wide range of confidential and complex issues with discretion, tact, and sound judgment.
• Process, respond to, and prioritize electronic correspondence; independently draft responses and prepare briefing materials.
• Research and compile data on faculty searches, hires, promotions, sabbaticals, and departures; prepare reports for the Provost’s Office, Dean’s meetings, retreats, and special initiatives.
• Draft, edit, and proofread confidential correspondence, reports, presentations, and speeches.
• Support communications and policy development for CALS academic processes, including maintaining accurate website content.
• Ensure consistency across the Senior Associate Deans’ Office by using and maintaining shared templates, processes, and communications standards.
• Coordinate complex calendars, coordinate meetings and events, and resolve scheduling conflicts for the Senior Associate Dean.
• Oversee travel arrangements and reimbursement processes.
• Organize and compile materials for recurring events and annual activities, including New Faculty Orientation.
• Coordinate college-level reviews for professorial and non-professorial academic appointments, promotions, and reappointments.
• Coordinate confidential dossier distribution through Cornell Drop Box, track review progress, and ensure timely communication with departments, CALS-HR, and university partners.
• Support the nomination process for endowed and named faculty positions.
• Act as a knowledgeable resource on CALS policies and academic processes for departments and colleagues across the university.
• Serve as liaison to university executives, committees, and offices such as Finance and Administration, Human Resources, Alumni Affairs & Development, and the Center for Technology Licensing.
• Support special committees and projects assigned by the Senior Associate Deans.
• Maintain office operations including office supply maintenance.
• Assistance with special events.

Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.
• For the first 30 days, the successful candidate will be expected to work fully on-site for onboarding and initial training. After that, employees typically perform this role on-campus 4 days per week and remotely 1 day per week.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees