Assistant to the Associate Vice Presidents of Colleges and Units, AAD
About The Position
Cornell's Alumni Affairs and Development division is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and relationship-driven professional to serve as the Assistant to the Associate Vice Presidents (AVPs) for Colleges and Units within Alumni Affairs and Development (AAD). This is a critical role supporting senior leadership across a diverse portfolio of colleges and units spanning the university. As a trusted partner to the AVPs, you will provide high-level administrative and operational support while serving as a central point of coordination for the College/Unit Leadership team. You’ll engage with senior leaders, faculty, and staff across the institution and play a key role in advancing the division’s priorities. This position requires sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to navigate highly confidential matters with professionalism and care. If you are confident operating independently, thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy navigating complexity, and take pride in enabling others to do their best work, we encourage you to apply.
Requirements
- Associate's degree and 4-6 years relevant experience in a high-paced office environment or equivalent combination
- Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills required, with a customer-service orientation.
- Needs to be able to support a welcoming atmosphere for guests.
- Strong computer skills, especially in use of the entire suite of Microsoft programs at advanced levels including PeopleSoft and Tableau.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate the flow of large volumes of work and information generated by the Associate Vice Presidents.
- Must be extremely organized and capable of prioritizing and managing multiple assignments, when faced with very tight deadlines.
- Ability to handle high degree of confidential and sensitive material.
- Work independently, exercise very good judgment, work well under pressure while juggling a variety of tasks, positive leadership, sensitivity in dealing with alumni, staff, and academic/unit leadership.
- Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
Nice To Haves
- Ability to navigate and interpret data a plus.
- Experience providing support at the senior management and/or executive level to multiple individuals.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate complex, high-volume calendars for two AVPs, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities
- Coordinate meetings across multiple stakeholders with competing demands
- Prepare meeting agendas, materials, and follow-ups
- Plan and execute detailed travel logistics, including itineraries, briefings, and reimbursements
- Coordinate leadership meetings, events, and search committee schedules
- Draft and coordinate internal and external communications on behalf of the AVPs and leadership team
- Provide strategic input on messaging, agendas, and meeting planning
- Handle sensitive and confidential correspondence with discretion
- Facilitate information flow across AAD and university leadership
- Coordinate intranet communications for Colleges and Units
- Oversee division-wide projects and timelines in partnership with colleagues
- Track deliverables across colleges and units, ensuring accountability and progress
- Support initiatives such as annual work plans, stewardship reporting, and partnership agreements
- Maintain and update policy documents, project plans, and key deadlines
- Ensure accuracy and accessibility of essential documentation
- Assist with oversight of the Colleges and Units operating budget
- Support annual budget development, forecasting, and ongoing financial tracking
- Participate in professional development and training
- Contribute ideas and improvements to team processes
- Support special projects and evolving departmental needs
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
