Program Assistant, Office of Donor Relations

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY is seeking an AAD Program Assistant II to support alumni relations and development initiatives. The role focuses on researching, preparing, and distributing tribute gift notifications and reports, plus weekly acknowledgments and gift reports.

Collaboration across units is emphasized, with a blend of independent and cross-division work. Required qualifications include an associate’s degree with 4–6 years’ experience, proficiency in MS Office and Excel, strong

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree with 4–6 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Ability to model inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing values.
• Ability to work under general supervision with high accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite and Excel for data management and analytics.
• Commitment to exceptional internal and external customer service.
• Quickly learn new software tools and apply them effectively.
• Demonstrates strong judgment in communications with external audiences.

Responsibilities

• Generate, analyze, and prepare weekly and ad-hoc gift reports.
• Prepare and distribute timely correspondence for stakeholders.
• Assist with data gathering and analysis for giving initiatives across campus.
• Partner with division colleagues to ensure timely donor communications.
• Maintain detailed record keeping of all correspondence.
• Exercise strong judgment and polished communication with external constituents.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Excel data analysis

Customer service

Attention to detail

Proactive learning

Strong judgment

Inclusion values

Learning new software

Education

Associate’s degree

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of AAD Program Assistant II in our Alumni Affairs and Development division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the university's advancement efforts.

Position Summary

The Program Assistant is responsible for researching, preparing, and distributing tribute gift notifications and reports (in memory and in honor of). The position also prepares weekly acknowledgments and gift reports for the Donor Relation’s office, as well as other participating colleges and units, particularly the division’s newly formed pod structure. The role offers a blend of independent work and cross-division collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Generate, analyze, and prepare weekly and ad-hoc gift reports
• Prepare and distribute timely correspondence for a variety of stakeholders
• Assist with data gathering and analysis for giving initiatives across campus
• Partner with colleagues across the division to ensure timely donor communications
• Maintain detailed record keeping of all correspondence
• Exercise strong judgment and polished communication with external constituent

About Alumni Affairs And Development

At Cornell Alumni Affairs and Development, we connect alumni, parents, and friends with opportunities to make a meaningful difference at Cornell and beyond. Our success is built on the strength of relationships, a commitment to excellence, and a culture of collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and continuous learning. As one of higher education's leading fundraising and engagement organizations, we recently completed a record-setting campaign that engaged more than 221K alumni and raised $6.7 billion. Joining our team means growing your career alongside supportive, mission-driven, and high-performing colleagues while helping shape Cornell's future.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s degree and 4 to 6 years relevant experience or equivalent combination
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
• Demonstrated ability to work under general supervision
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite
• Proven ability leveraging Microsoft Excel for data management and analysis to support decision-making
• Must be dedicated to providing exceptional customer service for internal and external constituents
• Proactive and adaptable learning new software platforms, with a track record of quickly gaining proficiency and applying new tools
• Ability to exercise strong judgment across all areas, including communications with an external audience

Work Location

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 3 days per week and on-campus 2 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Rewards And Benefits

• 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: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

University Job Title AAD Program Assistant II

Job Family Alumni Affairs Development

Level E

Pay Rate Type Hourly

Pay Range $30.73 - $35.71

Remote Option Availability Hybrid

Company Endowed

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

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

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.

EEO Statement

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.

2026-08-31