Assistant Director of Admissions

Located in Ithaca, N.Y., Cornell University is a bold, innovative, inclusive, and dynamic teaching and research university where staff, faculty, and students alike are challenged to make an enduring contribution to the betterment of humanity. Cornell University is one of the largest and most diverse institutions in the Ivy League. We are a community of 22,000 students and more than 10,000 faculty and staff members representing more than 80 countries and hundreds of disciplines—global cultures, backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and ideas.

The Cornell SC Johnson College of Business comprises the university’s three accredited business schools: The Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration, the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, and the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management. The College delivers undergraduate, graduate, and professional business programs, creating a collaborative, comprehensive business management program that preserves the excellence of all three schools while uniting the faculty and students. The Cornell SC Johnson College of Business is one of the most comprehensive business schools in the nation, with 145 research faculty and nearly 2,900 undergraduate, professional, and graduate students. The College has a collection of areas of expertise not found in any other leading institution and an unparalleled resource base from which to draw—both within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and within Cornell University (including Cornell Tech).

Enrollment representatives within Cornell’s colleges, schools, and units regularly collaborate and partner with the Enrollment Division to accomplish the University’s enrollment goals.

The Office of Undergraduate and Specialized Master’s Programs Admissions plays a vital role in attracting high‑quality applicants to the SC Johnson College of Business. Each year, our undergraduate business programs draw approximately 8,000 applications, yielding nearly 500 new Cornell students. Our admissions team is collaborative, energetic, and deeply committed to identifying top‑tier talent while fostering an inclusive and welcoming community.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions, the Assistant Director of Admissions is responsible for implementing and leading off‑campus recruitment strategies for prospective undergraduate students. In partnership with the Associate Director, this role develops and executes recruitment plans that strengthen relationships with targeted high schools, community‑based organizations, and business‑focused academic programs to increase awareness of the College’s offerings.

Key responsibilities include:

• Implement and lead off‑campus recruitment strategies for prospective undergraduate students.
• Build and maintain relationships with targeted high schools, community‑based organizations (CBOs), and business‑focused academic programs to increase awareness and applications.
• Plan and manage outreach activities to engage high school students and cultivate interest in the SC Johnson College of Business.
• Conduct 2–4 weeks of annual travel to priority regions for recruitment events and high‑school engagement.
• Develop programs and outreach for guidance counselors and influencers who support targeted student populations.
• Serve as co‑advisor to the Dyson and Nolan Student Ambassador programs.
• Oversee recruitment, selection, training, and engagement for approximately 40 student ambassadors.
• Support ambassador involvement in admissions events, recruitment, and yield activities.
• Review 1,000+ undergraduate and transfer applications each year across a designated domestic and international territory.
• Contribute to a culture of belonging by communicating across differences, demonstrating empathy and respect, and supporting a healthy, inclusive work environment.

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.

Frequent travel (domestic and international) is required along with evening and weekend hours.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent with two to four years of work experience or equivalent combination.
• Strong team orientation and ability to work effectively with prospective students, parents, faculty, senior staff, alumni, industry leaders, and outside organizations.
• Outgoing, energetic individuals with excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills.
• Position requires considerable independent judgement, decision making, and a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to plan and manage activities to an established budget, and to report on a regular basis.
• Ability to travel and to plan travel for others.
• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities. 
• Ability to advocate for individuals from a broad range of backgrounds. 
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience in college recruitment, and/or college admissions
• Experience with social media.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel
• Experience with Slate or PeopleSoft
• Fluency in language other than English

This is a full‑time, three‑year fixed‑term position based in Ithaca, NY, with the possibility of renewal based on continued funding, performance and business needs. The role offers hybrid work flexibility. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Rewards and Benefits:

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• 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: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.
• Our leave provisions include 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

Application Procedure: 

When applying through our system, please remember to attach your application materials (Resume and Cover Letter) in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. In the Experience Section of your application, use the "Drop Files Here" box to manually drag document(s) into your application. For a more detailed description and instructions on how to apply online, please click here as an external candidate.

NOTE: Cornell employees must apply through the Internal Cornell Career site.  

• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.
• No visa sponsorship is available for this position.
• This is a full‑time, three‑year fixed‑term position based in Ithaca, NY, with hybrid work flexibility.

University Job Title:

Admissions Associate II

Job Family:

Student Services

Level:

F

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$72,209.00 - $77,625.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Melissa Dorward-Bauman

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.

Current Employees:

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Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter.  You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

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.

2026-03-16