Director, Government & Community Relations, Cornell Tech; NYC)

Cornell Tech is Cornell University’s groundbreaking campus in New York City that develops leaders and technologies for the AI era through foundational and applied research, graduate education, and new ventures. An initiative of New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s administration, Cornell Tech was founded in partnership with the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in 2012. Located on Roosevelt Island and operating in partnership with the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the growing campus includes five buildings.

A total of more than 1,000 students are educated annually at Cornell Tech with 700 of those in Cornell Tech’s master’s degree and Ph.D. programs. Its startup programs have spun out nearly 120 new companies and more than 90 percent of them are based in New York City. Details on Cornell Tech’s overall impact on New York City and contributions to its tech sector, can be found here.

Position Summary

The Director, Government & Community Relations, will establish, develop, and manage relationships with local, city, state, and federal government and community leaders and their staffs in service of campus and university priorities.

Under the direction of Cornell Tech campus leadership and the Vice President of University Relations, the successful candidate will work in close coordination with university Federal and State Relations leadership as well as NYC-based colleagues including at Weill Cornell Medicine as a visible representative of the campus. The successful candidate must have highly developed interpersonal and relationship‑building skills, interest and experience working with communities and government entities, along with a demonstrated ability to be flexible, multi‑task in a high‑paced team environment, anticipate community needs, actively seek solutions, and meet deadlines.

The position coordinates closely with the Strategic Communications and Marketing team at Cornell Tech.

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.

This position is a full‑time, regular, benefits‑eligible position. There will be periodic requirements for work during evening hours and on the weekends, and the position will be based on the Roosevelt Island Campus in New York City.

Visa sponsorship is not available.

Starting salary range: $112,616 to $125,000

Essential Functions Include

Government & Community Engagement and Programming - 50%

• Serve as Cornell Tech contact and point of coordination for Island and local community residents, businesses, community groups, civic leaders, and residents, as well as elected and other city, state, and federal government officials, including but not limited to City Council and its Committees, NYC EDC, and RIOC.
• Monitor and advise on economic development issues that directly affect Cornell Tech.
• Represent and present on behalf of Cornell Tech externally, including at Community Board meetings, and serve on internal and external committees and task forces as assigned, including monthly university NYC Government and Community Relations Coordination Meetings.
• Plan and coordinate programming, engagements, and events for community and government constituencies at Cornell Tech and for Cornell Tech students, faculty, and staff in the community.
• Bridge university resources and…