Communications Specialist

The Cornell AI Initiative is a university-wide effort to advance Cornell’s leadership in research and education in artificial intelligence, while creating, applying, and evaluating human-centered AI as a tool across the university — from classrooms and laboratories to clinics and university administration. By leveraging Cornell’s breadth of expertise, the Cornell AI Initiative aims to understand how AI affects learning, scholarship, operations, and public engagement, and to advance responsible strategies for AI use — and intentional non-use — in service of Cornell’s mission.

Hiring budget for this position is between $65,000 - $70,000/annual.

The Opportunity

The Communications Specialist for the Cornell AI Initiative plays a central role in advancing the initiative’s visibility, engagement, and impact. This position is responsible for executing integrated communications strategies that elevate Cornell’s leadership in artificial intelligence across digital platforms, internal channels, and external audiences.

Working closely with the Executive Director for AI Communications, the Communications Specialist develops compelling content, manages digital channels, and ensures consistent, high-quality storytelling that reflects the breadth and significance of AI research, education, and engagement at Cornell.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically 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.

Communicators in colleges, schools, and units regularly collaborate with, and consult, University Relations departments. University Relations serves as a partner and resource for all college/unit communicators. 

The primary work location for this position is on the Ithaca, NY, campus with the option to occasionally work remotely. Fully remote work is not available for this position.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Responsibilities of the position include:

• Managing the Initiative’s digital ecosystem — including ai.cornell.edu — ensuring content is current, accurate, and strategically aligned with initiative priorities, which includes updating, maintaining and continuously improving expert profiles, program pages, and core website content, and ensuring timely and coordinated promotion of events, announcements, and research outputs across initiative digital channels.

• Leading the amplification strategy for the Cornell AI Initiative across all initiative-owned platforms, ensuring research, events, and faculty expertise reach priority audiences with clarity and impact.

• Supporting the planning and logistics for Thought Summits and sponsored events, including scheduling, speaker coordination, AV, and promotional materials.

• Tracking, analyzing, and reporting on performance metrics across digital platforms, newsletters, and campaigns, and translating data into actionable insights to refine content strategy, audience targeting, and channel effectiveness.

What We Need

For full consideration, applicants must include both a resume and cover letter with their application. 

The successful candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree plus 2-4 years of full-time work experience in strategic communications, preferably in higher education, research, or technology.

• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills.

• Demonstrated creativity and ability to handle multiple projects while meeting concurrent deadlines.

• Ability to establish and maintain strong and collaborative working relationships with key constituencies.

• Creative problem solving and the ability to network and build positive relationships with a wide variety of individuals within the College and University.

• Knowledge of AP style writing and editing.

• Experience with Drupal and WordPress.

Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

• The position is covered under the ENDOWED benefits program. 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.

University Job Title:

Job Family:

Level:

Pay Rate Type:

Pay Range:

Remote Option Availability:

Company:

Contact Name:

Contact Email:

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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.