Executive Assistant to the Director of Athletics and Physical Education

About the Cornell Athletics and Physical Education – A Department within Student and Campus Life

Student and Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic, and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters such as public service, health, wellness, social justice, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations, including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

Cornell University is an NCAA Division I institution and a member of the Ivy League. The university fields teams in 37 intercollegiate sports and provides a comprehensive physical education program. The university is committed to excellence in academics and athletics, gender equity and diversity in its programs, and a well-balanced, broad-based intercollegiate athletics program. Athletics and Physical Education offers a robust program of physical and outdoor education, recreational services, intramural sports and intercollegiate athletics competition, plus wellness programs for faculty and staff, and fitness centers for the entire Cornell community.

The Opportunity

The Department of Athletics and Physical Education is seeking a highly organized, proactive Executive Assistant to the Director of Athletics and Physical Education with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. This is a unique opportunity to serve as a trusted partner to a senior leader, playing a critical role in advancing the mission of one of the university's most visible and impactful departments.

 In this role, you will provide strategic administrative and operational support to the Director of Athletics and Physical Education, serving as the first point of contact for the Athletics Director's Office and setting the tone for every interaction. You will engage with university leaders, faculty, staff, coaches, student-athletes, alumni, parents, supporters, and external partners, helping to foster strong relationships and ensuring exceptional service across every interaction.

This position is ideal for a professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys coordinating complex priorities, exercises sound judgment, and takes pride in delivering exceptional support with discretion, professionalism, and attention to detail.

What You'll Do

Executive Support & Project Coordination:

• Coordinate a complex and evolving calendar, balancing competing priorities while anticipating needs and identifying opportunities to maximize efficiency.
• Coordinate domestic and international travel arrangements, itineraries, expense reconciliation, and reimbursements.
• Prepare meeting agendas, briefing materials, presentations, and follow-up communications.
• Take on special projects, timelines, and action items, ensuring key initiatives move forward effectively.
• Coordinate meetings, events, and department-wide engagements.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and resource, helping the Director remain focused on strategic priorities.

Communications & Reporting:

• Monitor and manage a high-volume email inbox.
• Draft and edit correspondence, reports, memoranda, presentations, and announcements.
• Respond to routine and complex inquiries on behalf of the Director.
• Support the preparation of reports, research projects, analyses, and presentations involving confidential or sensitive information.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the university to gather information and ensure timely follow-up.

Office Operations & Relationship Management:

• Serve as the first point of contact for visitors, guests, and stakeholders.
• Respond to inquiries with professionalism, discretion, and exceptional customer service.
• Facilitate communication among university leadership, faculty, staff, coaches, student-athletes, alumni, and supporters.
• Coordinate office operations, supplies, purchasing, reimbursements, and related administrative functions.
• Research and resolve issues by leveraging resources across the university.

This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact at the heart of a highly visible organization. As a key member of the Athletics Director's Office, you will contribute to initiatives that support student-athletes, students, coaches, staff, and the broader university and Ithaca communities while working closely with institutional leaders and stakeholders.

If you are a resourceful professional who enjoys building relationships, solving problems, navigating complexity, and helping leaders succeed, we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter.

What We Need

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

• An associate’s degree and a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in a fast-paced administrative setting, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Exceptional organizational and judgment skills, and experience maintaining strict confidentiality.
• A self-starter attitude, the ability to proactively identify and effectively address challenges, , and a demonstrated track record of independently driving projects forward.
• Ability to work under pressure, focus and prioritize when dealing with several issues at one time, and support and take direction from multiple individuals. 
• Proficiency with the Google Suite of office software, including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms, with the ability to assist coworkers in the use of these programs. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, with the ability to assist coworkers in the use of these programs. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and strong writing and editing skills. 
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Ability to build strong, 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 
• Executive level support experience
• Knowledge of Cornell processes and procedures  
• Prior experience working in a college athletics department 
• Supervisory experience

Important Notes About Applying

• To be considered, please include a cover letter and resume that outline your relevant experience and why you're a strong fit for this position.
• This position is fully onsite on Cornell’s main campus, located in Ithaca, NY.
• There is no relocation assistance available for this position.
• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is fully onsite on Cornell’s main campus, located in Ithaca, NY.
• 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.

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