Temporary Administrative Assistant, University Major Gifts

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); Hybrid; USD 49,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University is seeking a Temporary Administrative Assistant in Ithaca, NY, within Alumni Affairs and Development. The role supports 4-6 major gift officers and helps coordinate donor relations, data, and reports. The team values curiosity, learning, and collaboration while advancing Cornell's mission.

The position offers a hybrid work arrangement (remote 3 days/wk, on-campus 2 days/wk) and an anticipated end date of December 15, 2026, with an hourly wage of $24.30–$26.15.

Qualifications

• High school diploma with 2-4 years of administrative experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and comfort learning new database systems.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities for several team members.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with professional representation of Cornell.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion and maintain high accuracy.
• Curiosity about Cornell's mission and willingness to learn about fundraising operations, donor relations, and university priorities.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate data and gift tracking in PeopleSoft, ensuring seamless information flow for donor-centric philanthropy.
• Process travel reimbursements through Concur, supporting gift officers with expense management and reporting.
• Prepare reports and materials to help gift officers stay organized and informed about Cornell priorities and donor interests.
• Provide occasional logistical and event support such as RSVP tracking and material coordination, contributing to cultivation activities that strengthen Cornell connections.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Alumni Affairs & Development (Donor Relations, Gift Processing, Information Services) to resolve data questions and maintain institutional excellence.
• Provide reliable administrative support that enables gift officers to focus on relationship-building, while contributing to a positive team culture through proactive collaboration and professional enthusiasm.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Discretion/Confidentiality

Learning new systems

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

PeopleSoft

Concur

Job description

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Temporary Administrative Assistant 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

Join our collaborative University Major Gifts team as a temporary Administrative Assistant, providing critical operational support to 4-6 major gift officers who cultivate relationships with Cornell's most generous supporters. You'll be part of a tight-knit team that values curiosity, continuous learning, and building strong working relationships while supporting fundraising efforts that directly impact Cornell's mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate data and gift tracking in PeopleSoft, ensuring seamless information flow that supports our donor-centric approach to philanthropy
• Process travel reimbursements through Concur, supporting gift officers with expense management and reporting
• Prepare reports and materials that help gift officers stay organized and informed, learning about Cornell's priorities and donor interests along the way
• Provide occasional logistical and event support such as RSVP tracking and material coordination, contributing to cultivation activities that strengthen Cornell connections
• Collaborate with colleagues across Alumni Affairs & Development (Donor Relations, Gift Processing, Information Services) to resolve data questions and maintain institutional excellence
• Provide reliable administrative support that enables gift officers to focus on relationship-building, while contributing to a positive team culture through proactive collaboration and professional enthusiasm

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

• High school diploma with 2-4 years of relevant administrative experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and comfort learning new database systems
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities for several team members simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with genuine interest in representing Cornell professionally
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion and maintain high standards of accuracy
• Curiosity about Cornell's mission and willingness to learn about fundraising operations, donor relations, and university priorities

Other Information

• 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.
• This temporary position is full-time (39 hours/week) with an anticipated end date of December 15, 2026.
• Anticipated hourly wage $24.30 - $26.15

Visa sponsorship and relocation assistance is not available for this position.

University Job Title:

Temporary Administrative Assistant

Job Family:

Temporary Administration

Level:

No Grade - Hourly

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

Refer to Posting Language

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• 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

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.