Senior Administrative Assistant

About the Cornell School of Continuing Education

Cornell University’s School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions (SCE) serves as Cornell’s gateway to lifelong learning, providing traditional and non-traditional learners alike with innovative, flexible, and accessible educational opportunities that transform lives, advance careers, and positively impact communities around the world.  

Dating back to 1876, Cornell SCE designs flexible programs tailored to help individuals achieve academic, personal, and professional success. SCE was described by Cornell President Jacob Gould Schurman in his 1892 report to trustees as an “integral part of the university,” and was one of the first official summer programs offered in the United States.  

In partnership with Cornell schools and colleges and with eCornell, SCE offers: 

• Summer Session/Winter Session courses for credit on campus, off campus, and online 

• Precollege programs 

• Part-time study for visiting students, year-round  

In addition, SCE is launching a new online part-time bachelor’s degree program for non-traditional students, working closely with Cornell’s Provost, the Vice Provost for External Education, the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, the Vice Provost for Enrollment, and an advisory board of Cornell faculty members. The degree will draw heavily upon existing expertise and resources of Cornell faculty and eCornell to ensure a high-quality educational experience.  

SCE students include matriculated Cornell students, as well as visiting precollege, undergraduate, and graduate students from around the world; Cornell faculty, staff, and alumni; area residents; working adults and community college graduates; military service members and veterans; incarcerated individuals; students in Indigenous communities; farmworkers, and others with diverse educational backgrounds and paths to higher education. 

In Fiscal Year 2022-23, SCE mounted more than 400 classes and programs, enrolled, and registered more than 5,600 students. 

The Opportunity

Cornell University's School of Continuing Education (SCE) is seeking a highly organized and experienced Senior Administrative Assistant to support our HR, accounting, and administrative operations. This role involves managing high-volume HR transactions, providing critical support for faculty and staff appointments, leading student recruitment efforts, and overseeing various database systems. If you have a passion for administrative excellence and thrive in a collaborative environment, this position offers a unique opportunity to make an impact at one of the world’s leading institutions.

Key Responsibilities

Human Resources Support:

• Handle sensitive and confidential HR transactions with accuracy and discretion.
• Enter academic and non-academic appointments, compensation adjustments, and terminations using Workday for SCE programs.
• Generate appointment letters for undergraduate and graduate roles, track completions, and process payroll corrections.
• Perform I-9 verifications and assist with collecting HR materials, distributing notifications, and tracking documentation.
• Post job ads for temporary and regular positions and assist with recruitment processes.
• Stay current with Workday upgrades and attend meetings to ensure compliance with federal, state, and university regulations regarding data privacy and security.

Data Integrity and SCE Database Systems:

• Participate in SCE database system projects under the guidance of the Senior HR Business Partner.
• Research and implement database tools to organize and manage data related to hires, pay, and other essential attributes.
• Define data attributes, design reports, and evaluate system flexibility while managing regular system updates.
• Collaborate with IT teams to ensure data collection integrity and compliance with best practices and university policies.

General Administration and Staff Support:

• Provide professional and courteous support to staff, faculty, and external contacts.
• Assist with office duties such as preparing and distributing routine communications and supporting the registrar and accounting offices.
• Reconcile payroll transactions and manage inter-department salary transfers.
• Prepare spreadsheets and perform data analysis to review HR data, while also supporting new employee orientation and managing interview scheduling.

Student Staff Recruitment Support:

• Coordinate student recruitment efforts with SCE Student Managers, including creating job requisitions and assessing appropriate pay levels.
• Track and route applicants via Workday, respond