Associate Director, Communications

   

The Opportunity

The Associate Director, Communications will interface directly with various offices within the Division of Enrollment – which includes financial aid, registrar, and undergraduate admissions – as well as other areas of the University, to develop creative and compelling ways to share important information with prospective students and influencers as well as current and former students.

In partnership with the Director of Enrollment Communications, the Associate Director, Communications will manage, plan, and implement our communications strategy for students throughout the enrollment lifecycle, including outreach to prospective students, applicants, school counselors, student supporters, enrolled students, and alumni. The Associate Director, Communications will be responsible for researching and analyzing communications technology used within the Division of Enrollment, peer and competitor trends, and audience insights; managing various time-limited and ongoing communications projects; and recommending communication strategies to connect to the division’s mission, goals, and priorities. The Associate Director, Communications’ specific portfolio of work will include:

• Managing social media for the Undergraduate Admissions Office (UAO).

• Working with the Director of Enrollment Communications to devise a video strategy and manage individual video projects.

• Coordinating new print projects and annual updates for existing print collateral across the division.

The Associate Director, Communications will also learn how to build emails and queries in UAO’s Slate instance.

Please note that this position is cross-posted as an Enrollment Communications Specialist (Communications Specialist II); only one role will be hired. Applicants to both listings will be considered, and the successful candidate will be offered the role at the level which best matches their experience and skillset. 

About the Department

Enrollment representatives within Cornell’s colleges, schools, and units regularly collaborate and partner with the Enrollment Division to accomplish the University’s enrollment goals. 

The Enrollment Communications team plays a key collaborative role in advancing the university name and brand, and a significant role in shaping Cornell University enrollment.

What We Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field and at least 3 years or more of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate challenges and obstacles effectively.

• Strong organizational skills with ability to multitask, prioritize, and meet deadlines.

• Strong research and analysis skills; ability to translate market research and data into actionable insights.

• Experience with social media marketing and knowledge of current social media trends and best practices.

• Experience leading video projects for use across various communications channels.

• Must be able to work both independently and collaboratively.  

• Ability to provide exceptional service to partners. 

• Ability to learn and apply institutional brand standards consistently.

• Ability to shepherd projects from ideation to completion.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and persuasively to a variety of stakeholders.

• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities.

• Demonstrate understanding and operate in compliance with federal, state and university data privacy and security regulations, policies, and best practices relating to the access and use of student records.

• Demonstrate understanding and operate in alignment with university policies and procedures to ensure legal and ethical admissions operations.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it’s ok if you don’t.

• Experience in a higher education setting.

• Experience with social media management tools.

• Experience in Slate CRM, specifically in building queries and/or Deliver emails.

• Experience with enrollment marketing.

• Candidate must be willing and able to work select evenings and weekends.

Application Instructions

 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but we strongly encourage interested candidates to apply by August 27, 2026. 

To apply, please submit the following:

• A resume.

• Cover Letter

• (2) Writing Samples: (1) A draft email (less than 200 words) addressed to prospective first-year students from the Undergraduate Admissions Office. The email should introduce them to a key aspect of the university, such as an academic program, campus resource, or student service. (2) A sample Instagram post about the same topic. 

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 1 day per week and on-campus 4 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

• 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.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

   

University Job Title:

Communication Spec III

   

Job Family:

Communications/Marketing

   

Level:

F

   

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

   

Pay Range:

$74,177.00 - $86,205.00

   

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

   

Company:

Endowed

   

Contact Name:

Lori Trask

   

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.

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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].

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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.

2026-08-17