Guest Experience Coordinator, CAU

Cornell University

1d•$23•Onsite

About The Position

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Temporary Guest Experience Coordinator (Evening Concierge, 2:30pm - 10:30pm) in our Alumni Affairs and Development division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to Cornell’s Adult University (CAU) 2 week summer program. Position Summary CAU Summer is an annual 2-week, on-campus, residential program offering faculty-led courses for the alumni, family, and friends audience. CAU Summer 2026 runs from July 5 – July 18. Positions begin before the program start date for training and prep work. The Temporary Guest Experience Coordinator is the heartbeat of hospitality at CAU Summer, ensuring every guest feels welcomed, valued, and cared for—starting weeks before arrival. Acting as the virtual front desk, this role proactively connects with participants, learns their needs, and creates memorable “wow” moments throughout their stay. With a warm, service-minded approach, the Guest Experience Coordinator provides seamless communication, personalized attention, and efficient problem-solving to make each guest’s experience exceptional. About Cornell’s Adult University CAU (Cornell’s Adult University), Cornell Alumni Travel, Alumni Wine by Cornell Alumni Affairs are revenue-generating engagement programs that seek to drive increasingly meaningful engagement with the alumni, family, and friend audience, as well as to maximize revenue generation on behalf of Alumni Affairs and Development (AAD). In that, these programs have a meaningful impact related to AAD’s strategic vision and lead initiatives in support of the Cornell Alumni Engagement Strategic Plan. These programs also work toward the campaign engagement goal of engaging 200,000 unique alumni, and annual engagement goals of overall alumni engagement, number of volunteer and alumni donors, new, re-engaged and retained alumni. This is the perfect role for someone who thrives in a guest-facing, high-touch environment and enjoys creating an unforgettable hospitality experience at CAU Summer!

Requirements

Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license
No specific formal education is required. Comprehensive training for each position will be provided.
Naturally warm, welcoming, and service-minded—a true hospitality professional who loves making people feel special.
Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
Excellent attention to detail—can remember guest names, preferences, and past requests.
Strong communicator and problem-solver—able to handle guest concerns gracefully and efficiently.
Tech-savvy and adaptable—comfortable using a texting app to manage requests in real time.
Highly organized—able to track and document guest interactions for seamless follow-ups.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Responsibilities

Pre-Arrival Guest Engagement (Starting June 8) Call each participant or household staying in the dorm to introduce yourself, answer questions, and gather information about their expectations, preferences, and needs.
Build a guest profile with relevant details (dietary restrictions, mobility concerns, special requests, past experiences with CAU, etc.).
Set the tone for a welcoming and highly personalized experience before they even arrive on campus.
Provide proactive guidance on what to expect, what to bring, and any last-minute details to ensure a smooth arrival.
Personalized Guest Engagement: Get to know each guest by name, understand their needs, and create moments that surprise and delight.
Foster an environment where guests feel comfortable asking for assistance, sharing feedback, or making requests.
Act as the go-to problem solver, addressing any concerns with professionalism and care.
Keep a detailed log of concerns, issues, and requests, ensuring smooth follow-ups and resolutions.
Virtual Front Desk Coordination & Communication: Monitor and respond promptly to guest requests via the CAU Summer texting app, providing real-time assistance.
Act as a central point of contact for questions about schedules, logistics, or on-campus amenities.
Work closely with other CAU team members to coordinate responses and ensure guest needs are met efficiently.
Lounge Oversight & Atmosphere: Oversee the hospitality lounge, ensuring the space remains inviting and well-stocked.
Offer warm, proactive service as guests stop by for coffee and snacks.
Collaborate with the Morning Hospitality & Coffee Captain to replenish supplies as needed.
Guest Service Tracking & Issue Resolution: Maintain a detailed guest log of requests, feedback, and issues to ensure consistent follow-up.
Anticipate potential needs and offer solutions before guests even ask.
Escalate urgent concerns to appropriate CAU team members while ensuring guests feel heard and valued.