Assistant to the Directors

About The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Cornell University is among the largest schools in College of Engineering and consistently ranks among the top ECE schools nationally. ECE’s programs encompass digital and computer systems, embedded processors, digital signal processing, RF (wireless) systems, optical communications, atmospheric and space plasmas, energy and power engineering, solid-state electronics, integrated circuit design and fabrication, bioelectrical devices and circuits, and biomedical applications such as image processing, sensors, and signal analysis, and more. The school supports 40-50 faculty and instructors across the Ithaca and Tech campuses, approximately 200 undergraduates, 150 Master of Engineering students and over 130 Ph.D. students.

The Opportunity

The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) is seeking a proactive, highly organized, and mission-driven Assistant to the Directors to join our leadership support team. This key role partners closely with the academic and administrative directors to advance the school’s teaching, research, and operational goals. This position serves as a trusted advisor, strategic thought partner, and administrative team lead—ensuring seamless operations, excellent communication, and a collaborative, inclusive environment.

If you excel at anticipating needs, navigating complexity, and building strong, trust-based relationships with a diverse community, this role offers an opportunity to have a meaningful impact within one of Cornell’s most dynamic engineering departments.

What You Will Do

Executive Administrative Support.  You will provide high-level support to ECE’s academic and administrative directors. This includes:

• Acting as a strategic partner and liaison to advance school priorities. Anticipating needs, identifying potential issues early, and implementing proactive solutions.
• coordinating complex, fast-moving calendars, high-profile meetings, travel logistics, and high-stakes communications with discretion and independent judgment.
• Researching, preparing, and overseeing the production of critical school materials, including presentations, reports, and data-driven visuals that inform decision-making.

Academic Human Resources Support. You will lead key academic HR processes with exceptional accuracy, confidentiality, and attention to detail:

• Coordinating end-to-end faculty recruitment processes, including logistics for candidate visits and search committee support.
• Overseeing school records and documentation, faculty activity records, tenure and promotion reviews, ensuring meticulous recordkeeping and adherence to guidance and deadlines.
• Tracking faculty sabbatical eligibility and processing required documentation.
• Supporting faculty and student academic awards processes, including preparation of submissions.

School Operations, Events Coordination & Team Leadership. You will serve as the administrative team lead and help ensure smooth day-to-day operations across the school:

• Leading a team of administrative support staff, ensuring clear workflow and strong coordination.
• Coordinating school-wide events—including seminars, retreats, alumni engagements, faculty meetings, retreats, and advisory council activities—with high standards of organization and execution.
• Coordinating school communications, listservs, directories, and select acknowledgments.
• Collaborating with the communications team to enhance visibility, support branding, and promote ECE achievements.

We are Looking for Someone Who:

• Is a self-starter who takes initiative, breaks down complex projects into actionable steps, and follows through with accuracy and timeliness.
• Demonstrates unwavering integrity, exercising sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive information, communications, and personnel processes.
• Navigates change and ambiguity with steadiness, adaptability, and a solutions-oriented mindset—balancing immediate needs with long-term goals.
• Shows strong self-awareness, including an understanding of how their communication, decisions, and presence impact others, both in formal settings and everyday interactions.
• Approaches work and relationships with a nuanced, thoughtful perspective, recognizing the diversity of experiences, needs, and communication styles across the school community.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and enjoys managing multiple priorities with composure.
• Demonstrates excellent judgment, tact, and discretion—especially in handling confidential matters.
• Communicates effectively across a wide range of audiences and builds strong, positive relationships with faculty, students, staff, and campus partners.
• Brings strong organizational skills and a talent for designing systems that improve efficiency and clarity.

If you are motivated by purposeful work, energized by complex coordination, and committed to fostering an inclusive and high-functioning academic environment, we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter. Join us and help support the future of innovation in Electrical and Computer Engineering!

Required Qualifications

-All applications must include a resume and cover letter for full consideration-

• Associate’s degree and 4 to 6 years relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations with discretion.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft and proofread professional correspondence and reports
• Proactive problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-pressure environment.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.  

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience coordinating complex projects or events.
• Familiarity with academic HR processes such as tenure and promotion reviews.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York, and is fully onsite.
• 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.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information click here.

   

University Job Title:

Administrative Asst V

   

Job Family:

Administration

   

Level:

E

   

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

   

Pay Range:

$29.45 - $33.82

   

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

   

Company:

Endowed

   

Contact Name:

Brad Stock

   

Contact Email:

bs223@cornell.edu

   

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:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

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 mycareer@cornell.edu.

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 accommodations@cornell.edu.

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 mycareer@cornell.edu.

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.

2025-11-13