Administrative Assistant

Cornell University•Ithaca, MI

8d•$26 - $31•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences (BTS) within Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is seeking an Administrative Assistant to join their collaborative and supportive team. This role provides high-level administrative and course support to faculty and departmental leadership, serving as a key resource for colleagues across the department. The position offers an opportunity to work in a dynamic academic and research environment, supporting teaching, scientific discovery, and advancements in animal and human health. The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys learning new systems, building strong relationships, and independently managing a wide variety of responsibilities.

Requirements

Associate's degree and 2-4 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders and respond to both routine and non-routine inquiries.
Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
Proven ability to work with minimal supervision, exercise sound judgment, make informed decisions, and appropriately escalate complex issues when necessary.
Strong analytical, research, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism, discretion, diplomacy, and tact.
Proven ability to coordinate activities and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders across departments and organizational units.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and the ability to quickly learn new technologies and systems.
Self-motivated with a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and process improvement.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years or more of high-level administrative experience in an academic environment preferred.
Demonstrated experience coordinating complex meetings, events, seminars, conferences, and visiting speaker programs involving multiple stakeholders is highly valued.
Experience supporting academic programs, faculty affairs, student services, curriculum administration, or related educational activities.
Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and independently prioritizing work in a fast-paced environment.
Advanced proficiency with Adobe Acrobat Pro, Qualtrics, Zoom, Eventbrite, SharePoint, Box, and other collaboration, event management, and survey platforms.
Experience maintaining websites and online content using content management systems such as Drupal or WordPress.
Experience performing mail merges, developing reports, creating spreadsheets, and utilizing organizational or project management tools.
Familiarity with higher education administrative systems such as PeopleSoft, Canvas, 25Live, CLSS, Stellic, Gradescope, SETs, or similar enterprise applications.
Demonstrated ability to learn new software systems and technologies quickly.
Experience creating professional communications and event-related materials using Canva or similar design platforms is preferred. While not required, an eye for design and an interest in creating event and communication materials would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and administer undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs, ensuring courses and academic offerings run smoothly from planning through completion.
Partner with faculty, students, teaching assistants, and university stakeholders to support course administration, curriculum processes, scheduling, grading activities, and academic program operations.
Serve as a trusted resource for faculty by managing calendars, coordinating meetings, arranging travel, preparing correspondence, and handling a variety of administrative needs.
Coordinate department seminars, welcoming visiting scholars and managing event logistics, communications, travel arrangements, and promotional activities.
Support special projects, departmental initiatives, events, and programs that advance the mission of Biomedical and Translational Sciences.
Maintain departmental websites, databases, records, and communications to ensure information remains accurate, accessible, and up to date.
Manage conference room scheduling, office operations, vendor relationships, supplies, and facilities-related processes.
Build strong relationships across Cornell while serving as a go-to resource for faculty, staff, students, and campus partners.
Exercise independence, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills to navigate competing priorities and deliver exceptional customer service.

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