Event and Operations Coordinator, Brooks School

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY is seeking an experienced Event and Operations Coordinator to drive planning and execution of a wide range of events, from commencements to conferences, while providing administrative support to the Dean's Office. You will coordinate with faculty, staff, vendors, and partners to ensure seamless guest experiences and successful outcomes.

The role requires a proactive, organized professional with strong communication and budgeting skills, able to handle

Qualifications

• Associate degree with at least two years of relevant experience including evidence of project planning and event management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop event plans, timelines, budgets, and production schedules.
• Coordinate with faculty, administrators, staff, vendors, sponsors, and speakers.
• Track registrations, communications, and event logistics.
• Negotiate contracts and coordinate catering, lodging, transportation, venues, entertainment, and guest services.
• Partner with Communications on promotions, websites, and media coverage.
• Manage multiple project budgets and ensure policy compliance.
• Serve as on-site lead during events and resolve issues professionally.
• Conduct post-event assessments and budget reconciliations.

Skills

Project planning

Event management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Discretion

Teamwork

Independent work

Travel flexibility

Multitasking

Education

Associate degree

Tools

Workday

KFS

Concur

Outlook

Excel

25Live

Job description

Event and Operations Coordinator, Brooks School

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

The Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and collaborative Event and Operations Coordinator to play a central role in advancing the School's educational, research, and public engagement mission.

This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled event professional and administrator who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys building relationships across diverse stakeholder groups, and takes pride in creating seamless experiences for guests, speakers, students, faculty, staff, and community partners.

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Administration, the Administrative and Event Coordinator serves as a key member of the Dean's Office, leading the planning and execution of high-impact events while providing administrative support that helps the School operate efficiently and effectively.

Whether coordinating a commencement ceremony, hosting prominent policy leaders and public officials, supporting academic conferences, or leading important school-wide celebrations, you'll help bring people together to advance meaningful conversations and public policy solutions.

What You'll Do

Event Planning & Coordination

• School-wide celebrations and community events
• Commencement and major academic ceremonies
• Distinguished speaker series and high-profile guest visits
• Conferences, symposia, workshops, and faculty-led events
• Center, institute, and program events
• Admitted student programs and immersive academic experiences
• Co-sponsored university and external partner events

Key Responsibilities

• Developing event plans, timelines, budgets, and production schedules
• Coordinating with faculty, administrators, staff, vendors, sponsors, and speakers
• Track and initiate registrations, communications, and event logistics
• Negotiating contracts and coordinating catering, lodging, transportation, venues, entertainment, and guest services
• Partnering with Communications and Marketing colleagues on promotions, invitations, websites, printed materials, photography, and media coverage
• Supporting multiple project budgets and ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures
• Serving as the on-site lead during events and resolving issues with professionalism and discretion
• Conducting post-event assessments, budget reconciliations, and continuous improvement initiatives

Operations & Space Coordination

• Managing room reservations and scheduling processes
• Serving as a liaison with Facilities, IT, and external vendors
• Maintaining office equipment inventories and troubleshooting operational concerns
• Coordinating building and room access requests
• Monitoring office supplies, event materials, and school-branded merchandise

Support the Dean's Office

• Provide confidential administrative support as needed
• Serve as backup to the Dean's Executive Assistant
• Collaborate with administrative colleagues to ensure seamless support across the School
• Interact regularly with senior leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and external partners

What We Need

• Associate degree with at least two years of relevant experience including evidence of project planning and event management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Experience researching, adopting, and using new event technology that enhances event planning.
• Superior organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and ability to manage tasks using a project management application.
• Ability to work independently to complete all projects and tasks on time with minimal supervision, but also be able to work in a team environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including oral (in-person and strong phone etiquette) and written (email and other document development) communications.
• Strong customer service skills, including an ability to be diplomatic and to maintain a professional demeanor under stress related to deadlines.
• Must be able to deal with confidential or sensitive information with tact and discretion.
• Must have a high degree of independent decision-making capabilities that are customer-service centered.
• Experience in managing multiple assignments, working under pressure and creative problem-solving.
• This position requires occasional travel.

It Would Be a Bonus if You Have Any of the Following

• Previous experience working with Cornell systems (e.g. Workday, KFS, Concur, Outlook, Excel, 25Live, etc.)
• Experience with budget creation and analysis.
• Large-scale event planning experience.
• Ability to design and implement project management software system.
• Experience in higher education and working with faculty.
• Purchasing experience using eSHOP, Procurement Card and I Want.
• Bachelor's degree in hospitality, marketing, public relations, or business administration.

Important Notes About Applying

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.
• This position is fully onsite and located on Cornell University's main campus 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 and located on Cornell University's main campus 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:

University Job Title

Event/Conference Coord II

Job Family

Administration

Level

E

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Range

$65,447.00 - $73,849.00

Remote Option Availability

Hybrid

Company

Contract College

Contact Name

Brad Stock

Contact Email

[e-mail]

Job Titles and Pay Ranges

Non-Union Positions

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

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell's union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees

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EEO Statement

Cornellwelcomes 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 seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage 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.