Associate Dean of Administration, Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy

About the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy

The Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy harnesses the University’s broad disciplinary excellence in public policy, along with its innovative teaching, research, and engagement programs, to solve pressing global challenges. The school’s prestigious faculty apply an interdisciplinary and problem-oriented focus to wide-ranging public policy issues as they explore how government choices intersect with people’s lives.

The Brooks School is home to approximately 50 staff, over 75 tenure-stream and teaching faculty, and a complement of part-time faculty who are experienced leaders in public policy and healthcare who bring their real-world experience into the classroom. Brooks enrolls over 700 undergraduate, professional, and graduate students in programs in Ithaca, at its facility in Washington, DC, and online in partnership with eCornell. Brooks is an innovative and growing school that has recently launched new undergraduate experiences and professional degree programs and is making investments in expanded and enhanced facilities in Ithaca and Washington, DC, to support program and enrollment growth and new strategic initiatives.

The Opportunity

The Associate Dean for Administration serves as the Brooks School’s chief administrative and financial officer, partnering closely with the Dean and senior leadership to shape the school’s long-term success. As a key member of the leadership team, the Associate Dean provides high-level counsel to the Dean, Senior Associate and Assistant Deans, and Faculty Directors, helping guide major decisions across academic, financial, and operational domains.

With responsibility for an over $40M budget portfolio, the Associate Dean leads all administrative functions of the school, including finance, human resources and workforce planning, facilities strategy and operations, and information technology, supporting both the Ithaca campus and programs in Washington, DC. The role also drives major initiatives on behalf of the Dean, from advancing the school’s strategic plan to ensuring the success of high visibility programs and events. The position also navigates the unique opportunities and complexities of shared services, collaborative programs, and joint spaces across Cornell’s colleges and schools.

The Associate Dean represents the Brooks School at the university level, serving as a member of the College Officers Group (COG) and Senior Finance Group (SFC) and contributing to other university committees and institutional initiatives. The role requires close partnership with senior university leaders in HR, Facilities, IT, and the Office of General Counsel, to champion school priorities and influence university policy.

The incumbent has a primary (solid-line) reporting relationship to the Dean as well as a secondary (dotted-line) reporting relationship to the Vice President for Budget and Planning.

Required Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree (advanced degree desired) and a minimum of 7 years of management experience, preferably at a senior level in an environment related to higher education, strong leadership skills, excellent judgment and negotiating ability, and superior communication skills. Experience with strategic planning and change management for a mission-driven academic enterprise, supported by diverse funding streams including philanthropy, undergraduate and professional tuition, and grants and contracts.