Director – Government & Community Relations

About Cornell Tech

Cornell Tech is Cornell University’s groundbreaking campus in New York City that develops leaders and technologies for the AI era through foundational and applied research, graduate education, and new ventures. An initiative of New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s administration, Cornell Tech was founded in partnership with the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in 2012. Located on Roosevelt Island and operating in partnership with the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the growing campus includes five buildings. A total of more than 1,000 students are educated annually at Cornell Tech with 700 of those in Cornell Tech’s master’s degree and Ph.D. programs. Its startup programs have spun out nearly 120 new companies and more than 90 percent of them are based in New York City. Details on Cornell Tech’s overall impact on New York City and contributions to its tech sector, can be foundhere.

Position Summary

The Director, Government & Community Relations, will establish, develop, and manage relationships with local, city, state, and federal government and community leaders and their staffs in service of campus and university priorities. Under the direction of Cornell Tech campus leadership and the Vice President of University Relations, the successful candidate will work in close coordination with university Federal and State Relations leadership as well as NYC-based colleagues including at Weill Cornell Medicine as a visible representative of the campus. The successful candidate must have highly developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills, interest and experience working with communities and government entities, along with a demonstrated ability to be flexible, multi-task in a high-paced team environment, anticipate community needs, actively seek solutions, and meet deadlines. The position coordinates closely with the Strategic Communications and Marketing team at Cornell Tech.

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.

This position is a full-time, regular, benefits-eligible position. There will be periodic requirements for work during evening hours and on the weekends, and the position will be based on the Roosevelt Island Campus in New York City.

Visa sponsorship is not available.

Starting salary range: $112,616 to $125,000

Essential Functions Include

Government & Community Engagement and Programming - 50%

• Serve as Cornell Tech contact and point of coordination for Island and local community residents, businesses, community groups, civic leaders, and residents, as well as elected and other city, state, and federal government officials, including but not limited to City Council and its Committees, NYC EDC, and RIOC.
• Monitor and advise on economic development issues that directly affect Cornell Tech.    
• Represent and present on behalf of Cornell Tech externally, including at Community Board meetings, and serve on internal and external committees and task forces as assigned, including monthly university NYC Government and Community Relations Coordination Meetings.
• 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.
• Bridge university resources and research capabilities to non-profit community stakeholders and connect students, faculty, and researchers with potential collaborators—including individuals, businesses, non-profits, and government entities, both on and off Roosevelt Island.
• Prepare and plan for Community & Construction Task Force meetings. Ensure coordination across Cornell Tech departments for any events and initiatives involving government partners and local Roosevelt Island stakeholders.
• Identify government and community financial resources and programs to support Cornell Tech and its collaborations with community partners.

Communications/Tracking/Measurement - 25%

• Regular contact with Cornell Tech community ’s development partners, elected officials,  and other stakeholders.
• Monitor an email account and generate responses to all inquiries requests and complaints with input from campus leadership.
• Responds or facilitates the responses to inquiries and requests for information from legislators and government officials in coordination with campus and university leadership.
• Responsible for tracking all of Cornell’s commitments to the community and NYC EDC (sponsoring agency).
• Responsible for assisting with the assembly of annual reports.
• Responsible for providing regular updates to Cornell Tech leadership.

Government and Institutional Tours and Visits - 15%

• Monitor emails and serve as primary point of intake, coordination, and communication for inquiries from government or institutional visitors who do not have an identified Cornell Tech host.
• Determine whether tours/visits can be accommodated and if so, organize with support from campus leadership, faculty, and staff as appropriate.  

Other position-related responsibilities and duties as assigned - 10%

• Participate in projects or other duties as assigned with occasional work responsibility falling above or below current classification. 
• Completion of any university required compliance trainings. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in 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, government relations in New York City.          
• Keen organizational and project management skills, including program evaluation, tracking and reporting.
• Requires the ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Attention to detail, verbal/written communication skills, positive demeanor with excellent interpersonal skills are necessary.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 

Preferred Qualifications

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

Culture of Inclusion and Community Standards

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” inclusion and belonging are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all.  Cornell Core values

As a people manager and university leader you will model and support a culture of inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing by fostering an environment where everyone has the ability to thrive and navigate work and life’s challenges because they feel like they belong and have the tools and support they need.   

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell.  These skills are essential for individual and organizational success.Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success

Rewards And Benefits

Competitive compensation, generous time-off, and great benefits …More on Cornell Benefits

University Job Title:

External Relations Officer IV

Job Family:

Administration

Level:

G

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$106,689.00 - $148,179.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Menasha Joseph Seeraj

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].

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [email protected].

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

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.

2026-10-16