Assistant to the Chair, Economics

About the Department of Economics 

The Economics Super-Department currently has more than 60 resident and visiting faculty, postdoctoral candidates and other scholars, 375 majors, 100 Ph.D. students, and serves over 5,000 students on campus each year. The department is split across three colleges:  1) the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), 2) the statutory School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR), 3) and the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy (Brooks), The Economics Department reports to the endowed College of Arts & Sciences, as well as the statutory School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and the School of Public Policy.  The faculty, staff, students and funding are in one of these three entities. 

The Opportunity 

Are you a highly organized professional who thrives in a fast-paced academic environment? Do you enjoy coordinating complex projects, supporting senior leaders, and building strong relationships across diverse groups of people? If so, we invite you to apply for the position of Assistant to the Chair, Economics. 

In this pivotal role, you will serve as a trusted partner to the Department Chair and Administrative Manager, helping support faculty, students, and academic programs across a unique, multi-college Economics department spanning the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), the School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR), and the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy. 

This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on faculty recruitment, promotion and tenure processes, academic planning, and departmental operations while engaging with a vibrant community of scholars and students. 

What You'll Do 

Administrative Support to the Chair: 

• Coordinate the Chair's complex calendar and meetings across multiple colleges and stakeholders. 

• Scheduling faculty meetings, appointments, and special events. 

• Supporting faculty assessments, strategic initiatives, and departmental projects. 

• Preparing, formatting, and editing correspondence and other communications. 

• Serving as a resource and liaison for faculty, staff, students, and external partners. 

• Coordinating information and materials for the department's annual reports and other institutional reporting requirements. 

Faculty Recruitment, Promotion, and Evaluation: 

• Coordinating faculty recruitment efforts from application management through candidate visits and interview scheduling. 

• Managing candidate logistics, travel arrangements, reimbursements, and event coordination. 

• Maintaining recruitment systems, records, and compliance reporting. 

• Supporting tenure, promotion, and faculty review processes by tracking timelines, assembling materials, and coordinating communications. 

• Requesting and monitoring external review letters and faculty assessment materials. 

• Maintaining confidential records and ensuring adherence to departmental, college, and university procedures. 

Course & Class Coordination: 

• Coordinate course information across more than 75 courses offered through multiple academic units. 

• Maintaining and updating course catalog content, course descriptions, and program requirements. 

• Coordinating instructional assignments, classroom information, and semester scheduling. 

• Coordinating course approvals, cross-listings, and curriculum-related documentation. 

• Monitoring syllabi submissions and course evaluation processes. 

• Provide input to the department Chair, DGS and DUS regarding faculty teaching loads and responsibilities, and other information/assistance as needed. 

Department Operations: 

In partnership with the Administrative Manager, you will: 

• Serve as a key point of contact for the department. 

• Assist with office operations, events, meetings, and visitor support. 

• Provide backup support for administrative functions as needed. 

• Participate in special projects and initiatives that support departmental goals. 

This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the center of a leading academic department, supporting world-class faculty and contributing to initiatives that shape teaching, research, and academic excellence. You'll join a collaborative community that values professionalism, respect, inclusion, and continuous learning. Your work will directly support faculty success, student experiences, and the department's mission across three dynamic academic colleges.  If you are an administrative professional who is a team player who is detail oriented, we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter. 

What We Need 

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. 

• Formal training beyond a HS Diploma of 1 to 2 years; 2 years’ college coursework, or Associate’s degree; more than 4 but less than 6 years’ experience or a combined equivalency of education and relevant experience.   

• Must be able to work quickly and effectively under pressure, use judgment in accomplishing tasks that are urgent or of a sensitive or confidential nature; balance conflicting priorities, and make appropriate decisions.   

• Strong written and verbal communication skills are needed. Must have excellent customer service skills and demonstrated ability to communicate with a broad range of people.  

• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills are absolutely critical.  Must be proactive in working within a team but also have the ability to self-start and work independently. 

• Must be comfortable working in an environment where change in process/procedures is the norm.  

• Proficiency with computer applications - MS Excel, MS Word, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, Workday, Google Docs, etc., and the ability to learn new systems, including exploring the effective use of AI. 

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.  

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 

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

• Batchelor’s degree 

• Experience with university systems experience is strongly preferred: 25Live, Tableau, WebFin2, KFS, Faculty Center, e-Shop, Cornell Events Calendar, annual report data base, CCI, ACALOG and CLSS. 

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’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’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:  Total Rewards | Working at Cornell. 

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. 

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.