Director of Finance and Facilities

   

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Director of Finance and Facilities in our Alumni Affairs and Development (AAD) division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to support the university's fundraising and engagement efforts.

Position Summary

The Director of Finance and Facilities is a key leadership role responsible for shaping the financial strategy and facilities operations of Alumni Affairs and Development, overseeing everything from budget planning and gift accounting to space management and staff safety. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic, detail-oriented leader to make a lasting impact by driving operational excellence, ensuring compliance, and supporting a mission-driven team dedicated to advancing the university's goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Operations: Direct AAD's $50M+ operating budget and financial strategy, ensuring compliance with University policies (procurement, travel, PCI, internal controls) while leading fiscal year-end close, budget forecasting, and quality assurance across financial and gift data.

• Facilities Management: Oversee all AAD building operations, including space planning, lease administration, safety/security protocols, ADA compliance, and emergency preparedness, while serving as liaison to University Real Estate, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), and law enforcement partners.

• Gift Accounting & Foundation Leadership: Manage the Gift Accounting team and ensure compliance with GAAP, CASE, and IRS standards; oversee administration of the Cornell University Foundation, including audits, tax filings, and Board reporting as Cornell University Foundation (CUF) Secretary.

• Strategic Partnerships & Compliance: Serve as AAD's key liaison to central University offices (Budget Office, Internal Audit, Division of Financial Services (DFS), Payroll/Tax) and represent the division on University-wide committees to align operations with institutional standards.

• Team Leadership & Development: Supervise and mentor Finance, Facilities, and Gift Accounting staff, driving professional development, succession planning, and a culture of accountability and service excellence.

• Executive Support & Innovation: Advise senior AAD leadership on financial and facilities strategy, contribute to divisional strategic initiatives, and lead innovative, team-based approaches to meet evolving organizational needs.

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

• Bachelor's degree with 7–10 years of experience in accounting, financial management, budgeting, and administration (or equivalent combination of education/experience).

• Proven progressive leadership experience with the ability to inspire, motivate, and empower staff; skilled in cultivating high-functioning teams, holding staff accountable, and fostering a positive organizational culture.

• Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic plans, driving continuous improvement, and allocating resources effectively amid dynamically changing business needs.

• Strong ability to build effective relationships across all organizational levels, manage multiple priorities independently, and lead teams through organizational change.

• Excellent communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with sound professional judgment in handling confidential matters with discretion and integrity.

• Solid knowledge of financial industry regulations and best practices, along with demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and wellbeing in the workplace.

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.

   

University Job Title:

Mgr Finance III

   

Job Family:

Fin/Budget/Planning

   

Level:

H

   

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

   

Pay Range:

$143,454.00 - $175,332.00

   

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

   

Company:

Endowed

   

Contact Name:

Rachel Colunio

   

Contact Email:

[email protected]

   

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.

Current Employees:

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Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter.  You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [email protected].

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

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.

2026-09-02