Executive Assistant and Office Manager

Cornell University•Ithaca, MI

2d•$83,429 - $96,959•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Assistant and Office Manager provides confidential, senior-level executive/administrative support to the Vice President and General Counsel, oversees the daily operation of the Office of General Counsel (OGC), and supervises the non-attorney staff in the Ithaca office. Under the direction of the Vice President and General Counsel, the Executive Assistant and Office Manager will provide administrative and operational oversight for the office in a manner that demonstrates professionalism, collegiality, high ethical standards, confidence, respect, and advancement of the university’s core mission and objectives. This position will help ensure coordination and integration of the Weill Cornell Medicine and Ithaca OGC locations as one cohesive unit. This position works with a high degree of autonomy and judgment and requires the incumbent to act independently and with confidence in their decision-making ability. The Office of General Counsel (OGC) at Cornell University is a general practice law office that proactively advances the university’s mission by providing timely and trusted legal services and by diligently protecting the university’s resources. The office acts as the university’s legal advocate in various matters, including litigation, regulatory compliance, and business transactions.

Requirements

A minimum of five to seven years of relevant professional experience in positions requiring the qualifications and competencies listed below, including, but not limited to, experience as a confidential assistant to an executive-level leader (higher education preferred), office manager, or law office manager.
Supervisory experience.
Eligibility for or current notary certification.
Advanced knowledge of Office Suite and other business software programs, and experience using business software to develop presentations and other work products in various formats to meet client needs and expectations.
Demonstrated ability to manage projects with exceptional attention to detail and in a highly organized and timely manner.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with minimal oversight in a fast-paced, high-volume, diverse, and intellectually inspiring environment while providing sound, creative, and practical solutions.
Demonstrated ability to organize information with an analytical mindset to create clear and professionally designed written deliverables.
Demonstrated ability to maintain exceptional ethical standards and consistently exercise sound professional judgment.
Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with tact and discretion, maintain professional confidences, and protect privileged communications.
Demonstrated ability to thrive professionally in a diverse and vibrant setting comparable to a higher education law practice in support of an academic and artistic community of scholars and students. Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.
Demonstrated ability to take direction, work as part of a team, and lead when appropriate by identifying opportunities for self-directed contributions that constructively advance organizational objectives.
Demonstrated capacity to approach new and complex challenges with a growth mindset, flexibility, creativity, and a measured temperament.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, establish and accomplish priorities, coordinate projects, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Demonstrated ability to train, motivate, and supervise others.
Demonstrated ability to plan and manage budgets and spending.

Nice To Haves

Experience with the Mac operating system.
Bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

Provide high-level support in furtherance of the Vice President and General Counsel’s internal and external professional responsibilities.
Proactively manage the daily calendar, travel, and communications for the vice president and general counsel. Develop and prepare presentations, conduct topical research, gather appropriate background materials, draft internal and external reports and prepare the vice president for the day.
Manage projects to include drafting information, tracking status and pending deadlines and, acting as liaison with others related to project deliverables. Apprise vice president and general counsel of project status and updates, and communicate any potential challenges.
Ensure that the office is running smoothly and in compliance with university business practices and policies. including, but not limited to, directly or through supervision of other administrative staff.
Supervise Ithaca campus non-attorney staff by providing direction, training, problem-solving, and performance management.
Facilitate support for the attorneys in furtherance of the work of the office.
Oversee office financial activities, including but not limited to, developing and monitoring the office budget, managing office financial accounts, approving financial transactions, and facilitating review and payment of outside counsel legal expenses.
Serve as the primary liaison with the human resources division regarding human resource matters
Develop and maintain the office’s standard operating procedures and calendar.
Oversee the redesign of, and ongoing updates to the office website.
Research and identify technology solutions to support the functions of the office and support existing systems.
Effectively partner with the Office of the Secretary of the Corporation and Office of the Secretary of the Medical College.
Represent the office on university-wide projects and successfully liaise with the university’s executive leaders, academic deans, and their staffs across the university’s multiple campuses.

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