Chair’s Assistant, Information Science

Cornell University • Ithaca, MI

1d • $29 - $34 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Business Computing and Information Science (BCIS), within Cornell’s Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, seeks a collaborative and proactive Chair’s Assistant to support the Department Chair and the department’s administrative operations. This highly visible role works with faculty, staff, university leaders, and prospective faculty candidates to advance departmental excellence and support faculty, students, and colleagues.

The position provides executive administrative support and coordinates department activities, faculty recruitment, academic promotion and leave processes, and staff development. It also supports department-wide operations and special projects. The role is eligible for a hybrid arrangement: fully on-site during the first 90 days for onboarding and training, then typically on campus three days per week and remotely two days per week.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree and 4–6 years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Demonstrated effective written communication.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to work both in a team and independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to compile data and draft communications for the Chair independently.
• Ability to organize, retrieve, format, and export data from multiple sources to develop ad hoc and standard reports.
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Sound judgment and ability to understand, interpret, and apply relevant policies.
• Cover letter and resume outlining interest and alignment of experience and goals are required for consideration.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with AJO, Workday, KFS, and Concur.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Executive-level administrative experience with demonstrated success in a complex, demanding, and diverse environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage communications and correspondence on behalf of departmental leadership.
• Draft and edit complex, confidential communications, including faculty offers, promotion letters, and award nominations.
• Organize faculty meetings, retreats, committee activities, and special departmental events.
• Prepare reports, presentations, meeting materials, and documentation.
• Coordinate faculty candidate visits across Cornell’s Ithaca and Cornell Tech campuses.
• Manage travel arrangements and reimbursements for the Chair.
• Manage faculty search processes from posting through completion and serve as a resource to search committees.
• Coordinate candidate visits, travel, and interview logistics; manage records and workflows in Academic Jobs Online (AJO); and partner with HR and faculty committees on candidate experience.
• Support relocation activities for newly hired faculty members.
• Coordinate faculty reappointment, tenure, and promotion reviews; compile dossier materials; and schedule and support review meetings.
• Manage sabbatical and faculty leave requests, maintain related records, and ensure accurate recordkeeping and compliance with university procedures.
• Coach and train staff and provide professional development opportunities.
• Manage performance, workload allocation, scheduling, and payroll approvals.
• Establish best practices and standard operating procedures.
• Coordinate the hiring and oversight of student administrative employees.
• Assist with department-wide administrative operations and special projects.
• Serve as a resource for faculty and staff in the Director’s absence.
• Contribute to initiatives that strengthen departmental effectiveness and service excellence.

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, and two additional floating holidays.
• Tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program.
• Tuition aid for external education.
• Cornell Children’s Tuition Assistance Program.
• Hybrid work arrangement after the first 90 days.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree