"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