Job description

The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest undergraduate college at Cornell and consists of approximately 4,600 undergraduates, 1,370 graduate students, 685 faculty, 40 academic departments, and 300 staff. The college receives almost 35,000 undergraduate applications per year. The Department of Physics is renowned for the strength and versatility of its program; the breadth of its training and the reach of its influence is unsurpassed in many areas. Famous for its Nobel Prize-winning work in low-temperature physics and theoretical astrophysics, current research areas include high-energy particle physics, cosmology and astrophysics, accelerator physics, X-ray physics, physics education research, biological physics, soft condensed matter physics, quantum materials, and nanostructure physics. Located in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Physics Department is one of the largest units in the college and consists of 40 tenure-track faculty, approximately 180 PhD students, 70 undergraduate majors, multiple research centers, and many research collaborations at Cornell and around the world. This position provides leadership for administrative operations within the Department of Physics and the Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics (LASSP), supporting the successful integration and day-to-day administration of the combined department. Reporting to the Director of Administration, the Operations Administrator serves as the lead administrative staff member for LASSP, overseeing administrative operations, supervising support staff, coordinating workflows, and partnering with department leadership to ensure efficient, consistent, and customer-focused administrative services. The Operations Coordinator independently manages a broad range of academic personnel and human resources functions, including research appointments, recruitment, onboarding, employment transactions, , and visa and immigration administration. The position serves as primary resource for these activities in LASSP, interpreting university policies and procedures, advising faculty and staff, ensuring compliance with university and regulatory requirements, and collaborating with the College of Arts and Sciences Human Resources Office and other university partners. In addition to personnel administration, this position oversees operational activities, including administrative support for research seminars, meetings, faculty recruitment, and special events; coordinates departmental space and facilities documentation; develops and implements administrative procedures and process improvements; prepares reports and communications for department leadership; and supervises one non-exempt staff member. Success in this role requires strong leadership, sound judgment, initiative, exceptional organizational and communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while building collaborative relationships across the department and the university. While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others. Required Qualifications: • Associate's degree and 4–6 years of progressively responsible experience in administration, operations, human resources, or academic administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. • Demonstrated experience coordinating or managing complex administrative operations, exercising sound judgment, and independently prioritizing multiple competing responsibilities in a fast-paced environment. • Experience interpreting and applying organizational policies, procedures, and administrative processes while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and confidentiality. • Demonstrated ability to lead projects, coordinate cross-functional activities, and develop or improve administrative processes and workflows. • Supervisory experience or demonstrated experience leading, training, or coordinating the work of others. • Excellent organizational, analytical, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships across a diverse organization. • Proven ability to exercise initiative, make independent decisions within established guidelines, solve complex administrative problems, and recommend effective solutions. • Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional customer service while maintaining professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion when handling confidential or sensitive information. • Proficiency with standard business software, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, and calendar applications. Preferred Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree. • Experience providing administrative or operational leadership in a higher education, research, or academic environment. • Experience supervising, training, or mentoring staff. • Experience supporting academic personnel administration, including appointments, recruitment, onboarding, or employment processes. • Experience with Workday or other enterprise human resources information systems (HRIS). • Familiarity with Cornell University policies, procedures, and administrative systems. • Experience interpreting and applying university or organizational policies to resolve administrative issues and ensure compliance. • Experience coordinating organizational change, implementing new administrative processes, or leading process improvement initiatives. • Experience managing projects or coordinating multiple complex initiatives simultaneously. • Experience supporting international scholars or coordinating visa and immigration-related processes. • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and applicant tracking systems such as Academic Jobs Online. No visa sponsorship or relocation assistance provided. Your completed application must include a resume and cover letter. We have found it most efficient to save as one document prior to attaching. We will be accepting applications through Sunday, October 25, 2026, or until a qualified candidate is identified. University Job Title: Administrator II Job Family: Administration Level: E Pay Rate Type: Salary Pay Range: $65,447.00 - $70,356.00 Remote Option Availability: Onsite Company: Endowed Contact Name: Donna Lynch-Cunningham Contact Email: dml336@cornell.edu 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: If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell. 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 mycareer@cornell.edu . 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 accommodations@cornell.edu . 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 mycareer@cornell.edu . 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. 2026-09-22

Requirements

Must-haves

Associate's degree and 4–6 years of progressively responsible experience in administration, operations, human resources, or academic administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience coordinating or managing complex administrative operations, exercising sound judgment, and independently prioritizing multiple competing responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
Experience interpreting and applying organizational policies, procedures, and administrative processes while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and confidentiality.
Demonstrated ability to lead projects, coordinate cross-functional activities, and develop or improve administrative processes and workflows.
Supervisory experience or demonstrated experience leading, training, or coordinating the work of others.
Excellent organizational, analytical, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships across a diverse organization.
Proven ability to exercise initiative, make independent decisions within established guidelines, solve complex administrative problems, and recommend effective solutions.
Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional customer service while maintaining professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion when handling confidential or sensitive information.
Proficiency with standard business software, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, and calendar applications.
Administrator II
Administration
$65,447.00 - $70,356.00

Nice-to-haves

Bachelor's degree.
Experience providing administrative or operational leadership in a higher education, research, or academic environment.
Experience supervising, training, or mentoring staff.
Experience supporting academic personnel administration, including appointments, recruitment, onboarding, or employment processes.
Experience with Workday or other enterprise human resources information systems (HRIS).
Familiarity with Cornell University policies, procedures, and administrative systems.
Experience interpreting and applying university or organizational policies to resolve administrative issues and ensure compliance.
Experience coordinating organizational change, implementing new administrative processes, or leading process improvement initiatives.
Experience managing projects or coordinating multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
Experience supporting international scholars or coordinating visa and immigration-related processes.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and applicant tracking systems such as Academic Jobs Online.
No visa sponsorship or relocation assistance provided.

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

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