Executive Assistant to the Dean, Brooks School

About The Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy

The Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy harnesses the University's broad disciplinary excellence in public policy, along with its innovative teaching, research, and engagement programs, to solve pressing global challenges. The school's prestigious faculty apply an interdisciplinary and problem-oriented focus to wide-ranging public policy issues as they explore how government choices intersect with people's lives. The school's initial areas of focus are in data science and technology policy; environmental and sustainability policy; health policy; global security; inequality and social policy; the politics and economics of development; and race, racism, and public policy.

The Opportunity

Are you a proactive and resourceful administrative professional looking to make a meaningful impact in an academic setting? Do you thrive in a dynamic, collaborative environment and excel at managing complex schedules, high-stakes projects, and confidential matters? The Brooks School of Public Policy invites you to apply for the position of Executive Assistant to the Dean, a pivotal role that supports the Dean and senior leadership with comprehensive, executive-level administrative expertise.

As the Executive Assistant to the Dean, you will provide essential support that enables the Dean to advance the school's mission, strategic priorities, and day-to-day operations. In this highly visible role, you'll build and nurture relationships across the school, university, and beyond, liaising with faculty, students, staff, and external partners, including industry experts, government officials, alumni, and donors. You will coordinate and prioritize the Dean's commitments, confidential communications, and drive special projects, committees, and events that reflect and uphold the Brooks School's values of collaboration, service, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Brooks School Leadership & Itinerary Support:

• Independently manage the Dean's schedule, calendar, and logistics, ensuring seamless coordination across meetings, committees, and events.
• Arrange complex domestic and international travel, including transportation, accommodations, and itineraries.
• Partner with events, alumni, and communications teams to ensure smooth coordination for events and engagements.
• Create and distribute agendas, reports, meeting notes, and other materials to maximize the Dean's time.
• Track pending matters and assigned deliverables and follows-up on completion status.
• Provide administrative support to the Dean's standing committees.

Confidential Executive & Organizational Support:

• Provide confidential executive support for day-to-day operations and sensitive projects, issues, and high-stakes communications.
• Manage projects requiring independent research, judgement, and decision making.
• Serve as a central point of contact, triaging issues and maintaining strong lines of communication with internal and external stakeholders. Maintain a broad understanding of the priorities and operational workflows of the office.
• Proactively research and analyze data, documentation, and reports, identifying the next steps and following up on key issues.
• Provide guidance and potential solutions on sensitive issues involving staff and students. Mentor and guide administrative staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

Other Responsibilities:

• Participate in and occasionally lead projects that may fall below or extend beyond the standard role scope.
• Engage in professional development opportunities, compliance trainings, and other duties as assigned.

Join us at the Brooks School of Public Policy, where you'll be part of a vibrant academic community dedicated to shaping policy, inspiring change, and preparing future leaders. If you are ready to take on a rewarding role that will allow you to make a meaningful impact in our school and beyond, we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter.

What We Need

All applications require a resume and cover letter for full consideration.

• Associate's degree and 4 to 6 years of experience in office administration, preferably supporting senior executives in higher education, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive information with a high level of confidentiality and discretion.
• Effective interpersonal communication, writing, networking, and negotiation skills to forge successful relationships with diverse faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Proactive, open, flexible, collaborative, and customer-focused workstyle with ability to work effectively across dynamic offices with diverse constituents of various levels.
• Effective planning, organizational and project coordination skills to develop objectives, set and adapt to changing priorities, manage multiple competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of scheduling international travel and calls along with a sensitivity to and understanding of cultural differences.
• Detail-orientated and precise with strong analytical and research skills to produce accurate and organized work (reports, spreadsheets, memos, summaries, briefs, talking points, background information).
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, exercise good judgment and logic to anticipate and solve problems with diplomacy and tact.
• Advanced proficiency using Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), administrative and financial systems, and meeting/collaboration tools (Outlook, Teams, Zoom) with strong calendaring and meeting planning skills.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it's ok if you don't.

• Bachelor's degree and five or more years' experience supporting executive-level administrators.
• Familiarity with academic policies and procedures.

Rewards and Benefits

No visa sponsorship or relocation assistance is available for this position.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, 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. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

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Non-Union Positions

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• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

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Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, 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. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.