Administrative Coordinator (Cornell University)

About the Role

Administrative Coordinator, Alumni Affairs and Development, Engineering

remote type

Hybrid

locations

Ithaca (Main Campus)

time type

Full time

job requisition id

WDR-00058240

The Opportunity

Cornell University is looking for an Administrative Coordinator to join the Duffield College of Engineering—the largest engineering program among the Ivies. Our Engineers are solving some of the world’s most important challenges, big and small – from space exploration, to climate change, to nanomedicine.  The College’s Alumni Affairs and Development (AAD) team is seeking a highly organized, collaborative, and detail‑oriented Administrative Coordinator to support our fundraising and alumni engagement efforts. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment and enjoys working behind the scenes to make meaningful connections possible.

Under the supervision of the Director of Development and in close partnership with Major Gift Officers (MGOs) and colleagues across the College, the Administrative Coordinator plays a vital role in managing data, supporting donor and alumni engagement, coordinating logistics, and ensuring smooth day‑to‑day operations. The position blends administrative excellence, communication, data management, and event and travel coordination in support of advancing the College’s philanthropic goals.

What You Will Do

Prospect Management & Donor Support

• Partner daily with Major Gift Officers, the Associate Dean, and the Director of Development to support prospect activity

• Conduct research on alumni and donors to inform engagement and cultivation strategies

• Maintain and update a high volume of prospect and donor data with accuracy and confidentiality, navigating multiple databases and dashboards with fluency

• Assist with pipeline development and annual MGO work planning

• Support one‑on‑one alumni visits, including preparing itineraries and logistics

• Track regional travel by the Dean, department chairs, and school directors

• Contribute to data analysis projects that enhance donor engagement and understanding

Communication & Stewardship

• Coordinate alumni engagement and stewardship initiatives in collaboration with Alumni Engagement and University Donor Relations partners

• Prepare gift reports for the Engineering AAD team and academic units

• Assist in creating stewardship reports and materials that recognize and thank donors

Administrative Support

• Coordinate routine and complex calendar requests for MGOs for individual and team meetings as needed

• Support high‑level volunteer groups, including the Engineering College Council and Campaign Executive Committee

• Complete PeopleSoft entries related to alumni engagement and development activities

• Prepare and distribute standard and ad hoc reports to support decision‑making 

Events & Travel

• Support MGO travel by assisting with booking and logistics, itinerary creation, calendaring, preparation of materials, and completing post-travel reimbursements

• Participate in and support alumni events organized by Engineering AAD, both on campus and regionally, which may include occasional evening and weekend hours and infrequent overnight travel

• Assist with logistics for alumni campus visits as needed, ensuring a seamless experience for participants

Professional Growth & Team Engagement

• Participate in university‑required compliance and professional development trainings

• Stay current with emerging technologies and best practices relevant to the role

• Actively contribute ideas and recommendations to strengthen team effectiveness

• Support special projects and additional responsibilities as assigned

This role offers meaningful exposure to senior leaders, cross‑campus collaboration, and advancement work that strengthens relationships with alumni, donors, and volunteers. You’ll be part of a team that values teamwork, demonstrated effort, and continuous improvement in the pursuit of excellence.  If you are an adaptable, organized, and proactive administrative professional, we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter!

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 with 2 to 4 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.

• Must be an excellent writer and be able to edit other people's written documents.

• Must be able to work independently.

• Must be discrete, exercise sound judgment, have demonstrated the ability to work with highly sensitive information, and maintain confidentiality.

• Must be detail oriented, organized, and able to work on multiple tasks and meet established deadlines.

• Must be able to work effectively in an environment made up of a mixture of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and volunteer leaders.

• Must be able to work at an advanced level, with desktop applications, databases, networked informational systems, electronic calendaring and mail programs and the Internet is required. 

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 

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

• Bachelor's degree.

• Familiarity with an alumni affairs and development office.

• The ability to interact directly in a professional manner with high level administrators and volunteers as well as with alumni.

• The ability to work at an advanced level with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), databases (Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition), and networked informational systems (PeopleSoft) is strongly preferred.

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 eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 2 days per week and on-campus 3 days per week. The onsite days are expected to be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

• There is no relocation assistance available for this position.

• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

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

• 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.

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.