Alumni Programs & Travel Lead

Byrne Dairy; Town of Ithaca (NY); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University seeks an Associate Director for CAU and Alumni Travel in Ithaca, NY, guiding operational execution and communications for adult university programs and travel experiences.

Reporting to the Director, you will ensure exceptional participant experiences, sound business practices, and alignment with university priorities while coordinating vendor relations and budgets. Hybrid work option available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 to 5 years relevant experience or equivalent combination in business, marketing, sales, tourism/hospitality, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in a complex, team-based environment with internal and external constituents.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, prioritize, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail.
• Experience planning, coordinating, or implementing complex events, conferences, tours, or hospitality experiences.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, verbal, editing, and presentation skills, with strong customer service.
• Initiative and entrepreneurial, collaborative approach to identifying opportunities for innovation and operational improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational work-streams across CAU Summer, Cornell Alumni Travel, CAU Study Tours, CAU Seminars, and CAU Select Tours, coordinating logistics such as facilities, lodging, transportation, catering, and more.
• Collaborate on program budgets, pricing, financial forecasts, and reporting to support prudent stewardship.
• Research and coordinate relationships with vendors, negotiating pricing and supporting contracts and procurement processes.
• Develop operational communications for participants, faculty, staff hosts, and internal partners; maintain program information across email, WordPress, and platforms.
• Partner with leadership to strengthen systems, improve participant experiences, and pursue continuous improvement.
• Staff assigned on-campus, domestic, and international programs, including CAU Summer and occasional multi-day assignments.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

WordPress

Job description

Cornell University seeks an Associate Director for CAU and Alumni Travel in Ithaca, NY, guiding operational execution and communications for adult university programs and travel experiences.

Reporting to the Director, you will ensure exceptional participant experiences, sound business practices, and alignment with university priorities while coordinating vendor relations and budgets. Hybrid work option available.