Temporary Administrative Coordinator

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Endowed benefits

Paid holidays

Health insurance

Paid leave

Job summary

Cornell University seeks an Administrative Coordinator in the Administration for Research Centers (ARC) to provide high‑level administrative support across multiple research centers and projects. The role partners with directors and managers to ensure efficient operations, program management, and robust administrative functions.

The position is full‑time temporary (12 months) with benefits, located in Ithaca, NY, with hybrid work availability and an anticipated hourly wage of $26.41–$29.40.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree with 2–4 years of administrative or office experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel, and the ability to quickly learn new software, systems, and administrative processes.
• Strong ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Positive, proactive, and customer‑service‑oriented approach to work.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, policies, and procedures in a fast‑paced environment.
• 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

• Serve as the administrative lead for assigned functional areas, such as travel, financial management, grants administration, calendaring, or reservation systems.
• Act as the primary point of contact for assigned research centers, coordinating administrative support and determining when to handle requests independently or collaborate with the ARC team.
• Provide comprehensive administrative support for multiple research centers and programs, ensuring efficient day-to-day operations.
• Coordinate complex calendars, schedule meetings, prepare meeting materials, communicate with attendees, and record meeting minutes.
• Arrange domestic and international travel, prepare itineraries, and process travel reimbursements.
• Manage procurement requests, invoicing, financial transactions, expense reporting, and purchasing using university financial systems.
• Maintain accurate records, databases, spreadsheets, and grant documentation; assist with financial and program reporting.
• Support grant proposal preparation by organizing application materials and maintaining grant records.
• Coordinate seminars, workshops, conferences, faculty visits, and other events, including venue reservations, registration, catering, accommodations, and speaker logistics.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Team collaboration

Customer service

Education

Associate’s degree

2–4 years administrative experience

Tools

Concur

IWantDocs

Eshop

Job description

Cornell Research & Innovation has an immediate opening for an administrative coordinator with the Administration for Research Centers (ARC) group. This is a full-time temporary position with benefits and an expected appointment term of 12 months.

The position will provide high-level administrative support to research centers and projects within an assigned portfolio. In this role, the coordinator partners with directors and managers to support daily operations, program management, and overall administrative functions. The position plays a key role in ensuring the efficient operation of the research centers supported by ARC.

Key Responsibilities Of The Position

• Serve as the administrative lead for assigned functional areas, such as travel, financial management, grants administration, calendaring, or reservation systems.
• Act as the primary point of contact for assigned research centers, coordinating administrative support and determining when to handle requests independently or collaborate with the ARC team.
• Provide comprehensive administrative support for multiple research centers and programs, ensuring efficient day-to-day operations.
• Coordinate complex calendars, schedule meetings, prepare meeting materials, communicate with attendees, and record meeting minutes.
• Arrange domestic and international travel, prepare itineraries, and process travel reimbursements.
• Manage procurement requests, invoicing, financial transactions, expense reporting, and purchasing using university financial systems.
• Maintain accurate records, databases, spreadsheets, and grant documentation; assist with financial and program reporting.
• Support grant proposal preparation by organizing application materials and maintaining grant records.
• Coordinate seminars, workshops, conferences, faculty visits, and other events, including venue reservations, registration, catering, accommodations, and speaker logistics.

About Research & Innovation

Research & Innovation (R&I) supports and advances Cornell’s research and scholarly activities by providing cutting‑edge facilities, expertise, and collaborative partnerships that drive innovation and impact. R&I helps secure external funding, promotes interdisciplinary research, ensures regulatory compliance, and facilitates the commercialization of research through startups and entrepreneurship. R&I is also committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive workplace. Administration for Research Centers (ARC) provides administrative support to research facilities, laboratories, institutes, and centers within Research & Innovation.

What We Need

Send us a cover letter and resume telling us why you are interested in this position and how your experience and qualifications match the position requirements. Your letter is an important part of your application.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

• Associate’s degree with 2–4 years of administrative or office experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel, and the ability to quickly learn new software, systems, and administrative processes.
• Strong ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Positive, proactive, and customer‑service‑oriented approach to work.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, policies, and procedures in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Preferred Experience (Optional)

• Experience with Cornell Travel and Procurement systems preferred: Concur, IWantDocs, and Eshop.

Success Factors

A strong candidate will be experienced and adaptable, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines, working both independently and collaboratively within a small cross‑functional team under the guidance of the ARC Director and Center Directors and Managers.

Other Information

• This position is located in Ithaca, New York on the campus of Cornell University. The position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that would allow the flexibility to work from outside the office up to two days a week. The successful candidate must be willing to work on campus as needed based on departmental needs. The final work schedule will be established in collaboration with the supervisor.
• This is a full‑time (39 hours/week) temporary position. Core hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• This temporary position is eligible for Cornell’s endowed benefits, including paid holidays, health, life, and accident insurance, and paid leave.
• Anticipated hourly wage will be $26.41−$29.40.

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

Contact Name

Kathy McKee

Contact Email

[e-mail]

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

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.