Cornell University

Director of Finance and Administration

Ithaca (Main Campus) Full time

The Facilities and Campus Services department is committed to providing the highest quality service to faculty, students, staff, alumni and visitors. With more than 260 major buildings on the Ithaca campus, approximately 1,000 highly talented and dedicated staff serve as stewards of campus resources and operations.

The Director reports to the vice president of Facilities & Campus Services and partners with the VP in the strategic development, direction and implementation of business operations encompassing a broad and highly complex variety of funding sources and staff.  In collaboration with the University Budget Office, the director develops departmental financial policies, develops long range forecasts, oversees department projects and advises the VP on business and financial matters.  Serve as executive advisor and chief business officer providing oversight and leadership for a wide range of issues related to the financial and operational resources for a large and complex division with an operating budget of more than $230M; units include:  Energy & Sustainability, Facilities Management, Engineering & Project Management, Transportation & Delivery Services, Environment Health and Safety, Contract College Facilities, and the University Architects office.  The director works closely with the vice president, executive leadership, unit business managers and other various constituents (University, Division and other stakeholders), on short term goals, long-range planning and strategic direction of the division.  Interprets and implements policies, practices and procedures to address complex issues.  Provides expertise and guidance to the vice president and senior staff on programs and initiatives.  This position will lead transformative streamlining initiatives to simplify processes and financial structures to reduce costs and provide value to the university.

The director is responsible for the HR, Facilities Contracts and IT liaison functions and financial oversight and analysis of monthly/quarterly and annual financial reports.  The finance function under the University budget office has responsibility for the budgeting, forecasting, reporting, analysis and project accounting operation.  The financial staff is responsible for statutory, contract college, general purpose, enterprise, designated, gift and endowment funds and solving accounting issues. Ensures the accuracy, completeness and integrity of the financials and makes business recommendations to the VP and FCS leaders. In collaboration with the Division of Human Resources, provide oversight of human resources activities.  Oversee the development, negotiation, execution and administration of contracts related to facilities management, design, construction and maintenance services. Manage the IT liaison function ensuring collaboration with CIT and providing project management and IT strategy.  Responsible for unit specific internal controls except for financial controls under the University Budget Office.   FCS is a cost recovery unit that utilizes multiple cost recovery methods, including central funding, billing rates and assessments.

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.

We are a value–based organization where all employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity. Facilities and Campus Services employees are required to attend staff development trainings and participate in the performance evaluation process.

Required Qualifications

  • Master’s Degreen and 5 to 7 years’ experience in a financial or administrative management position, with progressive scope responsibility or equivalent combination.

  • Broad understanding of information technologies and their applications, including financial and policy implications.

  • Demonstrated strong analytical ability and financial management skills necessary to support a large, complex and dynamic environment.

  • Ability to develop complex financial models and perform appropriate data analyses. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

  • Excellent written and oral communications, including formal presentations.

  • Ability to prepare and integrate financial data for presentation.

  • Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing practices to business goals.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in a union environment and higher education administration.

  • Experience in employing key performance indicators in business process design and improvement. 

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Rewards & Benefits:

This is an endowed position.

Cornell provides great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation leave, health and personal leave, 13 holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day), 2 floating holidays, and superior retirement contributions.

Cornell has also been nationally recognized as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. For more information click here.

Application Procedure:

Interested parties should submit a resume and cover letter describing qualifications on-line at https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs under staff positions section.

When applying through our system, please remember to attach 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.

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

University Job Title:

Administrator VI

   

Job Family:

Administration

   

Level:

H

   

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

   

Pay Range:

$150,167.00 - $183,537.00

   

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

   

Company:

Endowed

   

Contact Name:

Tonya Eiklor

   

Contact Email:

tle37@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.

2026-05-01