Administrative Coordinator - Washington, DC

The Division of University Relations represents an integrated approach to Government Relations (Community, State, Federal), Brand, News, Media Relations, and Strategic Communications. More than 70 University Relations staff collaborate with, provide support to, the colleges, schools and administrative units within the university. This includes promoting and raising the visibility of Cornell University to a wide variety of internal and external audiences in support of the university strategic priorities.

The Office of Federal Relations supports, develops and advances the division’s strategic priorities and elevate the profile and thought leadership of Cornell University, its faculty, and administrative leaders among policymakers and the media in Washington, DC.

Learn more about our organization and explore other opportunities on our careers page.

The Opportunity

The Administrative Coordinator provides administrative support to the Federal Relations staff and serves as the initial point of contact for all visitors to the office; responsible for business and administrative operations for the office; supports the office budget process, including monitoring and resolving expenditures and ensuring timely payment of vendors; oversees department financial accounts; manages office equipment and files; interprets and applies university policies, practices and procedures to resolve issues and ensure efficient operations; compiles information for federal lobbying disclosure reports and ensures reports are filed in a timely manner; maintains a master calendar for the office; makes and implements recommendations to improve the processes and functions of the office; resolves facilities issues; serves as the office’s intern coordinator, including supervising the work of part-time staff and interns.

This position works with the Federal Relations staff to implement communications strategies to promote Cornell to federal stakeholders and advance university priorities, which disseminating information to the university community and federal policymakers. Assists in preparation of regular reports from the Office of Federal Relations.

We highly value the importance that culture plays in the success of an organization and each hire should positively add to our culture and commit to effectively work and interact respectfully to foster a diverse and inclusive environment.

This is a full-time hybrid position located in Washington, DC. The successful candidate will spend at least three days a week in the Washington, DC office.  Fully remote work out of state or the region is not an option for this role.

Compensation:  The position will be offered at between $67,728 to $76,804 annual and will be based on the final candidate’s skills and experience.

Key Responsibilities

These include, but are not limited:

• Assisting staff in scheduling meetings between key federal stakeholders, their staffs and various officers, faculty, staff, and students of the university.

• Planning and managing special events in an efficient and orderly manner; assisting with requests from key stakeholders, which require a courteous, timely, and articulating responses.

• Tracking legislation and regulations; attending and reporting on Congressional hearings, agency meetings, and briefings that are of interest to Cornell; representing the university at higher education association meetings in Washington, including holding leadership roles on applicable committees; and helping to inform the university about higher education community trends and positions.

• Compiling, organizing and distributing a weekly list of relevant research opportunities for the Office of the Vice President for Research & Innovation.

• Maintaining strict confidentiality in all aspects of federal relations.

What You Need

• Associate’s degree and at least 2 to 4 years of related administrative experience in a professional office setting, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to engage and influence people at all levels.

• Proven experience and critical thinking skills to independently analyze situations and reach decisions impacting the office.

• Ability to coordinate department budget needs.

• Must be proficient in the use of various software, including MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook e-mail and calendar, PowerPoint), and be able to learn other software as necessary.

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

• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree desirable.

• Knowledge of Cornell University and New York is strongly preferred.

• Experience in event coordination and meeting planning; familiarity with Capitol Hill, higher education issues, and the federal legislative and regulatory processes is extremely desirable.

• Basic web development and social media skills strongly preferred.

Rewards and Benefits

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

• 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: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, vacation and paid 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.

• 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.

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

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.

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• 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. 

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