Director, Government & Community Relations, Cornell Tech (NYC)

Cornell University•New York City, NY

24d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Government & Community Relations establishes, develops, and manages relationships with local, city, state, and federal government and community leaders and their staffs in support of campus and university priorities. Under the direction of Cornell Tech campus leadership and the Vice President of University Relations, the Director works closely with university Federal and State Relations leadership and NYC-based colleagues, including Weill Cornell Medicine, and represents Cornell Tech externally. The position is based on Cornell Tech’s Roosevelt Island campus in New York City and is a full-time, regular, benefits-eligible role. Periodic evening and weekend work is required. Visa sponsorship is not available. The listed starting salary range is $112,616 to $125,000. The Director serves as a primary contact and coordinator for local residents, businesses, community groups, civic leaders, and government officials; monitors economic development issues affecting Cornell Tech; plans community and government programming; and connects university resources and research with community stakeholders and potential collaborators. The role also coordinates communications and responses to inquiries, tracks Cornell’s community and NYC EDC commitments, assists with annual reports, provides leadership updates, and arranges visits for government and institutional guests. The position calls for strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, experience working with communities and government entities, flexibility, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced team environment. The Director coordinates closely with Cornell Tech’s Strategic Communications and Marketing team and is expected to foster an inclusive, respectful, collaborative, and healthy work environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 5–7 or more years of relevant work experience in government or community relations, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated success in community development, community relations, and government relations in New York City.
Strong organizational and project management skills, including program evaluation, tracking, and reporting.
Ability to work independently and take initiative.
Attention to detail, strong verbal and written communication skills, a positive demeanor, and excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Highly developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills, flexibility, ability to multitask in a fast-paced team environment, anticipate community needs, seek solutions, and meet deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field.
Demonstrated success in community development, community relations, and government relations in higher education.

Responsibilities

Serve as Cornell Tech’s contact and coordination point for local residents, businesses, community groups, civic leaders, and elected and other city, state, and federal government officials, including City Council and its Committees, NYC EDC, and RIOC.
Monitor and advise on economic development issues that directly affect Cornell Tech.
Represent Cornell Tech externally, including at Community Board meetings, and serve on assigned internal and external committees and task forces.
Plan and coordinate programming, engagements, and events for community and government constituencies at Cornell Tech and for Cornell Tech students, faculty, and staff in the community.
Connect university resources and research capabilities with nonprofit community stakeholders, and connect students, faculty, and researchers with potential collaborators on and off Roosevelt Island.
Prepare and plan for Community & Construction Task Force meetings.
Coordinate across Cornell Tech departments on events and initiatives involving government partners and local Roosevelt Island stakeholders.
Identify government and community financial resources and programs that could support Cornell Tech and its community collaborations.
Maintain regular contact with Cornell Tech’s development partners, elected officials, and other stakeholders.
Monitor an email account and generate responses to inquiries, requests, and complaints with input from campus leadership.
Respond to or facilitate responses to information requests from legislators and government officials in coordination with campus and university leadership.
Track Cornell’s commitments to the community and NYC EDC.
Assist with assembling annual reports and provide regular updates to Cornell Tech leadership.
Serve as the primary intake, coordination, and communication point for government or institutional visitor inquiries when no Cornell Tech host has been identified; determine whether visits can be accommodated and organize them with campus leadership, faculty, and staff as appropriate.
Perform other assigned position-related duties and projects, including occasional responsibilities above or below the current classification, and complete required university compliance training.