Communications & Change Management Specialist (CEMI)
About The Position
The Cornell Experience Modernization Initiative (CEMI) is a multi-year program designed to improve the experience of students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, patients, and partners by unifying and enhancing administrative systems and processes across all Cornell University locations. The CEMI Communications & Change Management Specialist supports complex, university-wide initiatives within the Cornell Experience Modernization Initiative through strategic communications and organizational change management. The role focuses on helping individuals and teams understand, prepare for, and adapt to changes in processes, technologies, and ways of working through effective, audience-centered communication and engagement. The role requires adaptability as priorities shift and evolve, and strength in navigating differing perspectives and priorities with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment without direct supervisory authority. Operating with a high level of independence and judgment, this position works with program teams, leaders, subject matter experts, and communication and change management colleagues to design and deliver communication and engagement approaches aligned with established program goals and priorities. Approximately 50% of the role is focused on communications strategy development, content creation, and community engagement, with the remaining 50% supporting organizational change management activities. This is a 2-year term appointment that may be ended or extended based on organizational needs, funding availability, and performance. While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, organizational change management, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing communication strategies for complex initiatives in a decentralized organization (higher education, nonprofit, or similar environment preferred).
- Familiarity with organizational change management concepts and methodologies.
- Completion of Prosci Change Management training and/or certification, or a demonstrated willingness to obtain certification within a defined timeframe.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly, concisely, and persuasively at levels from executive leadership to individual contributors.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills, with careful attention to detail and ability to work independently within established direction, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
- Comfort operating in an environment with evolving priorities, ambiguity, and multiple concurrent initiatives.
- Proven ability to build productive working relationships and influence community understanding through communication expertise.
- Strong editorial judgment and commitment to high quality content.
- User-centered mindset and commitment to positive community experience.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Teams, and SharePoint, with comfort working in Salesforce, Marketing Cloud, and Smartsheet, or similar applications.
- Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working on large‑scale transformation or multi‑year program initiatives, particularly involving technology adoption or business process redesign.
- Experience supporting organizational, technology, or process‑driven change initiatives, ideally within a complex, decentralized, or higher‑education environment.
- Completion of Prosci Change Management training and/or certification.
Responsibilities
- Supports complex, university-wide initiatives within the Cornell Experience Modernization Initiative through strategic communications and organizational change management.
- Helps individuals and teams understand, prepare for, and adapt to changes in processes, technologies, and ways of working through effective, audience-centered communication and engagement.
- Designs and delivers communication and engagement approaches aligned with established program goals and priorities.
- Develops and implements communication strategies for complex initiatives in a decentralized organization.
- Supports organizational change management activities.
- Fosters a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences, being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming, showing respect, compassion, and empathy, engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective, speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately, and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.
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
