Associate Director, Cornell's Adult University and Cornell Alumni

Associate Director, Cornell's Adult University and Cornell Alumni Travel

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Associate Director, Cornell's Adult University and Cornell Alumni Travel in our Alumni Affairs and Development division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the university's advancement efforts.

Position Summary

The Associate Director plays a key role in the operational implementation, communications, and strategic execution of Cornell's Adult University (CAU) and Cornell Alumni Travel programs. Working closely with the Director and internal and external partners, the position helps ensure programs are delivered with operational excellence, exceptional participant experiences, sound business practices, and alignment with Cornell University and Alumni Affairs and Development priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead assigned operational work-streams across CAU Summer, Cornell Alumni Travel, CAU Study Tours, CAU Seminars, and CAU Select Tours, coordinating logistics such as facilities, lodging, transportation, catering, audiovisual support, accessibility accommodations, and other program needs.
• Collaborate on program budgets, pricing, financial forecasts, expenditure monitoring, and reporting to support responsible stewardship and sound business decisions.
• Research and coordinate relationships with vendors and service providers, including negotiating pricing, facilitating contracting and procurement processes, monitoring deliverables and deadlines, and supporting compliance with university requirements.
• Develop and coordinate operational communications for participants, faculty, staff hosts, internal partners, and other stakeholders before, during, and after programs; maintain accurate and accessible program information across email, Word Press, and other university-approved platforms.
• Partner with the Director and colleagues to strengthen operational systems, improve participant experiences, cultivate productive internal and external partnerships, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and program growth.
• Staff assigned on-campus, domestic, and international programs, including CAU Summer and occasional evening, weekend, and multi-day program assignments.

About Alumni Affairs and Development

At Cornell Alumni Affairs and Development, we connect alumni, parents, and friends with opportunities to make a meaningful difference at Cornell and beyond. Our success is built on the strength of relationships, a commitment to excellence, and a culture of collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and continuous learning. As one of higher education's leading fundraising and engagement organizations, we recently completed a record-setting campaign that engaged more than 221K alumni and raised $6.7 billion.

Joining our team means growing your career alongside supportive, mission-driven, and high-performing colleagues while helping shape Cornell's future.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3 to 5 years relevant experience or equivalent combination in business, marketing, sales, tourism/hospitality, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in a complex, team-based environment involving regular collaboration with internal and external constituents.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, establish priorities, exercise sound independent judgment, meet deadlines, and maintain exceptional attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience planning, coordinating, or implementing complex events, educational programs, conferences, tours, or hospitality experiences involving multiple stakeholders and vendors.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, verbal, editing, and presentation skills, along with a demonstrated commitment to providing outstanding customer service and responding professionally to complex or sensitive situations.
• Demonstrated initiative and an entrepreneurial, collaborative approach to identifying opportunities for innovation, operational improvement, and successful implementation of strategic priorities.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 3 days per week and on-campus 2 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Rewards and Benefits

• 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.
• 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,…