Executive Staff Assistant, ILR Deans Office

Executive Staff Assistant, ILR Dean’s Office

About The School of Industrial and Labor Relations

The ILR School is the preeminent educational institution in the world focused on work, employment and labor. We are dedicated to generating and disseminating knowledge that improves the lives of workers and transforms the future of work. As a New York land-grant college, we positively impact individuals and society through Teaching, Research and Outreach.

The Opportunity

The ILR School is seeking a highly organized, resourceful, and trusted professional to join the Dean’s Office as an Executive Staff Assistant. This is a unique opportunity to serve as a key partner to the Dean, helping advance the mission of one of the world's leading institutions dedicated to work, employment, labor relations, and human resources.

In this highly visible role, you will serve as a central point of coordination and communication for the Dean’s Office, providing executive-level administrative, project management, event planning, and operational support. Success in this position requires exceptional judgment, discretion, professionalism, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic environment where priorities evolve quickly and relationships matter.

What You'll Do

As the Executive Staff Assistant, you will provide comprehensive support to the Dean while serving as a trusted liaison among faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, university leaders, and external stakeholders.

Administrative and Faculty Course Support

• Manage the Dean’s complex calendar, scheduling priorities, and daily workflow.

• Prepare agendas, briefing materials, presentations, reports, and correspondence.

• Monitor action items, commitments, and follow-up activities on behalf of the Dean.

• Attend meetings, record minutes, and prepare status reports.

• Analyze incoming communications and determine appropriate handling and distribution.

• Support the Dean’s teaching, research, and academic activities.

• Maintain highly sensitive files and records with the utmost confidentiality.

• Coordinate faculty review, promotion, and tenure-related administrative processes.

Projects and Strategic Coordination

• Lead and support special projects assigned by the Dean.

• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and deliverables.

• Coordinate efforts across multiple departments, locations, and stakeholder groups.

• Track deadlines and ensure timely completion of key initiatives.

• Support annual reporting, goal-setting processes, conflict-of-interest disclosures, and other administrative activities.

Communication and Relationship Management

• Serve as a key communication hub for the Dean’s Office.

• Build and maintain relationships with faculty, staff, students, alumni, advisory council members, donors, corporate partners, government representatives, and labor organizations.

• Draft clear, professional communications for a variety of audiences.

• Coordinate information flow between the Dean and internal and external stakeholders.

Travel, Fiscal, and Operational Support

• Coordinate complex travel arrangements and itineraries.

• Prepare and manage travel reimbursements and related documentation.

• Monitor office budgets, event expenses, and financial transactions.

• Coordinate contracts and logistical arrangements for meetings and events.

• Support financial processes associated with Dean’s Office operations.

Event Coordination

• Lead the planning and logistics for high-profile meetings, conferences, receptions, and special events.

• Coordinate invitations, registration, communications, materials, and event operations.

• Partner with faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and university leaders to ensure successful event execution.

• Support both in-person and virtual events.

Office Leadership

• Help oversee the day-to-day operations of the Dean’s Office.

• Provide guidance and support to administrative and student staff.

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and service-oriented team culture.

• Support staff development, training, and performance management activities.

We seek a highly organized administrative professional who combines exceptional administrative expertise with strong interpersonal skills and sound judgment. If you are energized by complex work, enjoy managing multiple priorities, and take pride in helping leaders and teams operate at their best, we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter. Join us in supporting the leadership of the ILR School and advancing Cornell's mission of education, research, and public impact!

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 is a full-time position located in Ithaca, NY, within the ILR School on the campus of Cornell University.

What We Need

A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.

• Associate’s degree in business administration or related field and three to five years experience providing executive level support.  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.   

• Proven ability to plan, organize and coordinate multiple projects, manage events and special assignments. 

• Must have outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail. 

• Ability to exercise good judgment and logic to anticipate and solve existing or potential problems.   

• Proven ability to successfully manage and prioritize multiple tasks while working simultaneously under pressure within a fast-paced office environment. 

• Must possess the ability to work independently and exercise discretion and independent judgment. 

• Ability to interact tactfully with diverse groups of individuals. 

• Experience managing complex calendars and coordinating complex travel arrangements.   

• Excellent computer skills including expertise in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 

• General database operating knowledge and internet search skills.   

• Excellent customer service skills and attitude.   

• Expertise in Outlook email and calendar. 

• Requires the ability to persuade others to collaborate in completing work in order to meet deadlines. 

• Knowledge of and adherence to university policies and procedures. 

• A demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality is essential. 

• Prior supervisory experience and skills. 

• Ability to have some flexibility in work hours.  

• Some travel required. 

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.  

• Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.   

It Would Be a Bonus if You Have Any of the Following

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum six years of experience in an executive office setting. 

• Prior office experience in a teaching and research-based setting. 

• Knowledge of labor relations or workplace issues. 

• Experience with Faculty Center, Canvas, PeopleSoft and ADW (Automated Data Warehouse). 

• Knowledge of Cornell University travel and reimbursement system (Concur), Kuali Financial System and payment request systems, Salesforce, 25Live Event Planner and Kissflow. 

• Knowledge of eShop purchasing system. 

• Prior experience working with HTML or other web development tools. 

Important Notes About Applying

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.  

• This position is fully onsite and located in Ithaca, New York 

• There is no relocation assistance available for this position. 

• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position. 

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. 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.

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