Associate Director

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Associate Director, Cornell’s Adult University and Cornell Alumni Travel in our Alumni Affairs and Development division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the university's advancement efforts.

Position Summary

The Associate Director plays a key role in the operational implementation, communications, and strategic execution of Cornell’s Adult University (CAU) and Cornell Alumni Travel programs. Working closely with the Director and internal and external partners, the position helps ensure programs are delivered with operational excellence, exceptional participant experiences, sound business practices, and alignment with Cornell University and Alumni Affairs and Development priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead assigned operational work-streams across CAU Summer, Cornell Alumni Travel, CAU Study Tours, CAU Seminars, and CAU Select Tours, coordinating logistics such as facilities, lodging, transportation, catering, audiovisual support, accessibility accommodations, and other program needs.

• Collaborate on program budgets, pricing, financial forecasts, expenditure monitoring, and reporting to support responsible stewardship and sound business decisions.

• Research and coordinate relationships with vendors and service providers, including negotiating pricing, facilitating contracting and procurement processes, monitoring deliverables and deadlines, and supporting compliance with university requirements.

• Develop and coordinate operational communications for participants, faculty, staff hosts, internal partners, and other stakeholders before, during, and after programs; maintain accurate and accessible program information across email, WordPress, and other university-approved platforms.

• Partner with the Director and colleagues to strengthen operational systems, improve participant experiences, cultivate productive internal and external partnerships, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and program growth.

• Staff assigned on-campus, domestic, and international programs, including CAU Summer and occasional evening, weekend, and multi-day program assignments.

About Alumni Affairs and Development

At Cornell Alumni Affairs and Development, we connect alumni, parents, and friends with opportunities to make a meaningful difference at Cornell and beyond. Our success is built on the strength of relationships, a commitment to excellence, and a culture of collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and continuous learning. As one of higher education's leading fundraising and engagement organizations, we recently completed a record-setting campaign that engaged more than 221K alumni and raised $6.7 billion. Joining our team means growing your career alongside supportive, mission-driven, and high-performing colleagues while helping shape Cornell's future.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 to 5 years relevant experience or equivalent combination in business, marketing, sales, tourism/hospitality, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Five or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in a complex, team-based environment involving regular collaboration with internal and external constituents.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, establish priorities, exercise sound independent judgment, meet deadlines, and maintain exceptional attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience planning, coordinating, or implementing complex events, educational programs, conferences, tours, or hospitality experiences involving multiple stakeholders and vendors.

• Exceptional interpersonal, written, verbal, editing, and presentation skills, along with a demonstrated commitment to providing outstanding customer service and responding professionally to complex or sensitive situations.

• Demonstrated initiative and an entrepreneurial, collaborative approach to identifying opportunities for innovation, operational improvement, and successful implementation of strategic priorities.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 3 days per week and on-campus 2 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 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. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

University Job Title:

Alumni Engagement Ofcr II

Job Family:

Alumni Affairs Development

Level:

F

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$72,209.00 - $81,760.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Rachel Colunio

Contact Email:

[email protected]

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

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EEO Statement:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-08-28