Assistant Director of Technical Programs and Student Life, Cornell Tech (NYC)

Cornell Tech; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell Tech seeks an Assistant Director of Technical Programs and Student Life to oversee key operational aspects and serve as the primary contact for Cornell Tech PhD, and technical masters students which includes Design Tech students.

The Assistant Director also leads campus community-building through overseeing the implementation of large scale events including but not limited to Orientation, PhD Visit Days, Inclusive Events, and Recognition ceremonies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least two years’ relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead student support workshops to enhance student learning and community building.
• Manage and coordinate the planning and implementation of student orientation and community-building events.
• Provide oversight and guidance on events led by other Student & Academic Affairs team members.
• Advise students regarding difficult and/or sensitive situations and provide referrals when necessary.
• Develop and implement tools for data collection and analysis to improve student experience.

Job description

Cornell Tech is Cornell University’s groundbreaking campus in New York City that develops leaders and technologies for the AI era through foundational and applied research, graduate education, and new ventures. An initiative of New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s administration, Cornell Tech was founded in partnership with the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in 2012. Located on Roosevelt Island and operating in partnership with the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the growing campus includes five buildings. A total of more than 1,000 students are educated annually at Cornell Tech with 700 of those in Cornell Tech’s master’s degree and Ph.D. programs. Its startup programs have spun out nearly 120 new companies and more than 90 percent of them are based in New York City. Details on Cornell Tech’s overall impact on New York City and contributions to its tech sector, can be found here.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Graduate Education at Cornell Tech, the Assistant Director of Technical Programs and Student Life is responsible for overseeing key operational aspects and serving as the primary contact for Cornell Tech PhD, and technical masters students which includes Design Tech students. The Assistant Director also leads campus community-building through overseeing the implementation of large scale events including but not limited to Orientation, PhD Visit Days, Inclusive Events, and Recognition ceremonies.

In this role, the incumbent will be an integral member of a collaborative team of colleagues who supports Cornell Tech PhD students including the Cornell Tech Chair of PhD Life, Assistant Dean of Graduate Education, Academic Affairs Coordinator, Student Life & Wellness Specialist, and graduate field assistants in the technical fields in Ithaca. Additionally, the Assistant Director will work closely with Program Directors of the relevant masters programs, Studio team, and Career Management to support enrolled students.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Required Competencies

• Communicates effectively - Provides timely and helpful information to students and others across the organization
• Interpersonal savvy - Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people
• Collaborates - Works cooperatively with team members and others across the organization to achieve shared objectives; Partners with others to get work done; Gains trust and support of others
• Optimizes Work Processes - Identifies and creates the processes necessary to get work done; Separates and combines activities into efficient workflow; Seeks ways to improve processes
• Instills Trust - Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position located at the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in New York City. The candidate is expected to be available some evenings and weekends to implement student events.

Currently, Tech staff work a hybrid schedule. Flexible work arrangements are subject to change.

Visa sponsorship is not available.

Starting salary range: $74,100 to $83,000

Events and Student Life - 30%

• Develop and lead student support workshops to enhance student learning and community building
• Manage and coordinate the planning and implementation of student orientation, community-building events, inclusive events, prospective PhD student Visit Days, Recognition Ceremony, PhD research, and other events as needed
• Provide oversight and guidance on events led by other Student & Academic Affairs team members
• Serve as the point person for student club support. Create and implement student club leader training.
• Develop, oversee and enforce policies of student club events on campus
• Collaborate with graduation offices in Ithaca on annual commencement activities and communicate with graduating students
• Collaborate with campus partners such as Events, Facilities, and IT, to successfully organize campus events
• Evaluate and recommend long-term programming plans including benchmarking that take into consideration the growth of Cornell Tech, as well as Cornell University’s core value of creating a community of belonging
• Establish and allocate a budget for student events
• Develop and deliver presentations at student events in collaboration with other Tech departments and leadership

Student Advising and Support - 30%

• Provide ongoing regular support as lead point person to PhD and technical master’s students through office hours and email to answer student academic and co-curricular questions.
• Participate in long-range planning and strategy related to operations of Cornell Tech technical masters programs.
• Partner with the PhD Life committee and Program Directors to implement strategies to ensure that programs and services are delivered in a timely, efficient and effective matter; assessing effectiveness and determining what adjustments need to be made.
• Benchmark student programming in Ithaca and at other institutions to implement best practices to support Cornell Tech PhD and technical masters students.
• Advise students regarding difficult and/or sensitive situations.
• Identify students with specific needs and provide referrals when necessary.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve student experience of PhD and technical master’s students
• Hold office hours for admitted technical masters students before matriculation
• Develop and implement tools for data collection.

PhD Student Support - 5%

• Advise PhD students on sensitive situations and liaise with field in Ithaca, relevant university offices and relevant team members on campus
• Work with Registrar team at Cornell Tech and in Ithaca to plan PhD courses each semester
• Liaise with fields in Ithaca and Graduate School and ensure Cornell Tech PhDs take advantage of relevant offerings/resources (eg. inter-campus travel, etc)
• Develop solutions to issues facing students on the Cornell Tech campus.

Master’s Student Support - 15%

• Provide academic advising and ongoing regular support to technical students through weekly office hours and email to answer technical student academic and co-curricular questions.
• Provide clear and concise academic guidance to students about degree requirements, course selection, and academic policies in consultation with the Registrar and other members of Student & Academic Affairs.
• Develop and implement new, creative advising services that address the dynamic needs of students and faculty.

Communication - 10%

• Direct and implement proactive student communication across multiple platforms to inform students of events, policies, and announcements starting when students deposit, and ending after their graduation
• Supervise content developed by student worker for weekly Student & Academic Affairs Newsletter
• Oversee updates and maintenance of the Student & Academic Affairs website

Leadership & Team Support - 5%

• Recommend organizational processes, policies and procedures that streamline and improve the delivery of student services
• Represent the Student & Academic Affairs team in high level meetings alongside or in lieu of the Assistant Dean of Graduate Education
• Lead monthly meetings with representatives from student-facing teams to identify opportunities for collaboration and scheduling solutions that will benefit the student population
• Develop documentation and training materials for team processes and improved project management
• Collect and analyze data on student feedback, and strategize with the Student & Academic Affairs team to determine plans for improvement

Other position-related responsibilities - 5%

• Participate in projects or other duties as assigned with occasional work responsibility falling above or below current classification.
• Completion of any university required compliance trainings.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least two years’ relevant experience or equivalent combination
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Culture of Inclusion and Community Standards

As a university founded to be a place where "any person can find instruction in any study," inclusion and belonging are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all. Cornell Core values

As a people manager and university leader you will model and support a culture of inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing by fostering an environment where everyone has the ability to thrive and navigate work and life’s challenges because they feel like they belong and have the tools and support they need.

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell. These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success

Rewards And Benefits

Competitive compensation, generous time-off, and great benefits ... more on Cornell Benefits

Pay Range

$72,209.00 - $94,904.00

Remote Option Availability

Hybrid

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world‑class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of "any person any study." No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, 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. Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.