Executive Assistant to the Director of Athletics and Physical Education

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About the Cornell Athletics and Physical Education – A Department within Student and Campus Life

Student and Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic, and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters such as public service, health, wellness, social justice, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations, including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

Cornell University is an NCAA Division I institution and a member of the Ivy League. The university fields teams in 37 intercollegiate sports and provides a comprehensive physical education program. The university is committed to excellence in academics and athletics, gender equity and diversity in its programs, and a well-balanced, broad-based intercollegiate athletics program. Athletics and Physical Education offers a robust program of physical and outdoor education, recreational services, intramural sports and intercollegiate athletics competition, plus wellness programs for faculty and staff, and fitness centers for the entire Cornell community.

The Opportunity

The Department of Athletics and Physical Education is seeking a highly organized, proactive Executive Assistant to the Director of Athletics and Physical Education with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. This is a unique opportunity to serve as a trusted partner to a senior leader, playing a critical role in advancing the mission of one of the university’s most visible and impactful departments.

In this role, you will provide strategic administrative and operational support to the Director of Athletics and Physical Education, serving as the first point of contact for the Athletics Director’s Office and setting the tone for every interaction. You will engage with university leaders, faculty, staff, coaches, student-athletes, alumni, parents, supporters, and external partners, helping to foster strong relationships and ensuring exceptional service across every interaction.

This position is ideal for a professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys coordinating complex priorities, exercises sound judgment, and takes pride in delivering exceptional support with discretion, professionalism, and attention to detail.

What You’ll Do

Executive Support & Project Coordination:

• Coordinate a complex and evolving calendar, balancing competing priorities while anticipating needs and identifying opportunities to maximize efficiency.
• Coordinate domestic and international travel arrangements, itineraries, expense reconciliation, and reimbursements.
• Prepare meeting agendas, briefing materials, presentations, and follow-up communications.
• Take on special projects, timelines, and action items, ensuring key initiatives move forward effectively.
• Coordinate meetings, events, and department-wide engagements.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and resource, helping the Director remain focused on strategic priorities.

Communications & Reporting:

• Monitor and manage a high-volume email inbox.
• Draft and edit correspondence, reports, memoranda, presentations, and announcements.
• Respond to routine and complex inquiries on behalf of the Director.
• Support the preparation of reports, research projects, analyses, and presentations involving confidential or sensitive information.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the university to gather information and ensure timely follow-up.

Office Operations & Relationship Management:

• Serve as the first point of contact for visitors, guests, and stakeholders.
• Respond to inquiries with professionalism, discretion, and exceptional customer service.
• Facilitate communication among university leadership, faculty, staff, coaches, student-athletes, alumni, and supporters.
• Coordinate office operations, supplies, purchasing, reimbursements, and related administrative functions.
• Research and resolve issues by leveraging resources across the university.

This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact at the heart of a highly visible organization. As a ke…