Assistant to the Directors

Cornell University•Ithaca, NY

39d•$29 - $34•Onsite

About The Position

The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) is seeking a proactive, highly organized, and mission-driven Assistant to the Directors to join our leadership support team. This key role partners closely with the academic and administrative directors to advance the school's teaching, research, and operational goals. This position serves as a trusted advisor, strategic thought partner, and administrative team lead-ensuring seamless operations, excellent communication, and a collaborative, inclusive environment. If you excel at anticipating needs, navigating complexity, and building strong, trust-based relationships with a diverse community, this role offers an opportunity to have a meaningful impact within one of Cornell's most dynamic engineering departments.

Requirements

All applications must include a resume and cover letter for full consideration-
Associate's degree and 4 to 6 years relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations with discretion.
Strong organizational and time-management skills with meticulous attention to detail.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft and proofread professional correspondence and reports
Proactive problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-pressure environment.
Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree.
Experience coordinating complex projects or events.
Familiarity with academic HR processes such as tenure and promotion reviews.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

Executive Administrative Support. You will provide high-level support to ECE's academic and administrative directors. This includes: Acting as a strategic partner and liaison to advance school priorities. Anticipating needs, identifying potential issues early, and implementing proactive solutions.
coordinating complex, fast-moving calendars, high-profile meetings, travel logistics, and high-stakes communications with discretion and independent judgment.
Researching, preparing, and overseeing the production of critical school materials, including presentations, reports, and data-driven visuals that inform decision-making.
Academic Human Resources Support. You will lead key academic HR processes with exceptional accuracy, confidentiality, and attention to detail: Coordinating end-to-end faculty recruitment processes, including logistics for candidate visits and search committee support.
Overseeing school records and documentation, faculty activity records, tenure and promotion reviews, ensuring meticulous recordkeeping and adherence to guidance and deadlines.
Tracking faculty sabbatical eligibility and processing required documentation.
Supporting faculty and student academic awards processes, including preparation of submissions.
School Operations, Events Coordination & Team Leadership. You will serve as the administrative team lead and help ensure smooth day-to-day operations across the school: Leading a team of administrative support staff, ensuring clear workflow and strong coordination.
Coordinating school-wide events-including seminars, retreats, alumni engagements, faculty meetings, retreats, and advisory council activities-with high standards of organization and execution.
Coordinating school communications, listservs, directories, and select acknowledgments.
Collaborating with the communications team to enhance visibility, support branding, and promote ECE achievements.

Benefits

This position is based in Ithaca, New York, and is fully onsite.
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:

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