Program Assistant, Engineering AA&D

About the Alumni Affairs and Development in Engineering

Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) in Engineering plays a crucial role in fostering lifelong relationships between alumni, students, and the university's renowned College of Engineering. Through programs, events, and philanthropic support, AA&D in Engineering works to advance the mission of the College and ensure that future generations of engineers have access to the same exceptional educational opportunities. By connecting alumni with students, faculty, and the broader Cornell community, AA&D in Engineering is helping to build a strong, vibrant engineering network that will benefit generations to come. Learn more about AA&D within Cornell Engineering here: https://www.engineering.cornell.edu/alumni  

The Opportunity

As the Program Assistant, you will play a crucial role in a fast-paced, professional environment, providing broad-based administrative support under the supervision of the Director of Alumni Engagement and the Associate Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations. You will be instrumental in ensuring our alumni and donors feel valued and connected to the college by managing donor communications, supporting events, and maintaining accurate records.

Key Responsibilities

Stewardship and Donor Relations:

• Research and produce materials that highlight the impact of donor contributions.
• Track and manage gift acknowledgments and donor correspondence to ensure timely distribution.
• Coordinate physical and electronic communications to donors, addressing their inquiries and requests with efficiency and care.
• Maintain and report on gift data using tools such as PeopleSoft, Salesforce, OBIEE, and Tableau.

Alumni Engagement Events:

• Support a variety of alumni engagement activities, including Homecoming, Reunion, and other on- and off-campus events.
• Manage logistics such as space reservations, catering, event marketing, AV support, and event follow-up.
• Collaborate with the AAD Engineering team and College of Engineering staff to ensure successful event execution.

Volunteer Board Support:

• Provide administrative support to the Cornell Engineering Alumni Association (CEAA) and Engineering College Council (ECC) boards.
• Organize and execute board meetings, including space reservations, catering, and AV support.
• Maintain budgets and support sub-committees and task forces as needed.

Gift Acknowledgment and Data Management:

• Extract and analyze weekly and monthly gift reports to support acknowledgment processes.
• Respond to fund and gift inquiries with a thorough understanding of gift acceptance systems.

Continuous Learning and Team Collaboration:

• Stay current with emerging technologies and methodologies relevant to your role.
• Participate in university training programs and compliance training as required.
• Engage actively with the team by attending meetings and contributing ideas to further departmental goals.

If you are a detail-oriented, proactive individual with a passion for alumni relations and donor stewardship, we invite you to apply with your resume and cover letter. Join us, and play a vital role in connecting alumni and donors with the college, all while being a part of a supportive and collaborative team dedicated to employee growth and the success of Cornell Engineering.

What We Need

All applications require a resume and cover letter for full consideration.

• Associate's degree with 2-4 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

• Customer service experience and professional demeanor with the ability to work with a diverse population of coworkers and stakeholders.

• Experience and interest in planning and executing events and propensity to think quickly and take action.

• Aptitude to take initiative, think critically and creatively, and find solutions.

• Ability to handle repetitive tasks with accuracy and efficiency. 

• Proficiency in data entry and data management.

• Effective organizational techniques and experience managing competing priorities successfully.

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Willingness to work nights and weekends as needed for events and college activities.

• Willingness to be flexible, learn, and take on new responsibilities as needed within a growing team.

• Advanced fluency in deskto