Director of Community Relations

About the Division of University Relations.

The Division of University Relations represents an integrated approach to Communications (Brand, News, Media Relations and Strategic Communications) and Government Relations (Community, State and Federal). More than 80 University Relations team members collaborate with and provide support to the university leadership and to colleges, schools and administrative units within the university. This includes promoting and raising the visibility of Cornell University to a wide variety of internal and external audiences in support of the university strategic priorities.

The mission of the Office of Community Relations is to connect the Ithaca campus to the Greater Ithaca community and to support and develop proactive partnerships to advance shared challenges and opportunities in one of America’s great college towns. Our Community Relations staff works with community and campus leaders on matters of mutual interest on several issues tied to the quality of life across Tompkins County — including area infrastructure, sustainability, public schools, economic development, transportation, housing, diversity, and planning. Our goals revolve around timely sharing of information and a daily focus on accessibility, transparency, and partnership. Cornell is proud that Ithaca is its home community.

Learn more about our organization and explore other opportunities on our careers page.

The Opportunity

The Director of Community Relations reports to the Vice President for University Relations and will act as a proactive, responsive, high-profile liaison between Cornell University and local governments, community organizations and individuals on the many town-gown issues, challenges and opportunities that impact Cornell.

The Director will develop, foster, and maintain on-and-off-campus relationships and serve as a strategist for the Vice President for University Relations on a wide array of community-related issues.

We highly value the importance that culture plays in the success of an organization and each hire should positively add to our culture and commit to effectively work and interact respectfully to foster a diverse and inclusive environment.

This is a full-time position located in Ithaca, NY, an active and diverse community in which to work and thrive. The successful candidate will spend at least three days a week on Cornell’s campus in Ithaca. Fully remote work out of state or the region is not an option for this role.

Compensation:  The position will be offered at between $135,000-$150,000/annual and will be based on the final candidate’s skills and experience.

Key Responsibilities

These include, but are not limited:

• Developing and implementing a strategic plan for the office that aligns division and university priorities with those of the local community. Initiating strategic partnerships with other institutions and entities with interests similar to the university.

• Working directly with local public officials, other institutions and through associations and organizations to promote/lobby on a wide variety of topics and issues of concern to Cornell and higher education as they relate to the local community.

• Analyzing issues, implementing actions, and generating proposals for local governments to advance the university’s mission. Advising and assisting in the formulation of university policies impacting the local community.

• Partnering with other Cornell and non-Cornell offices, boards, advisory bodies, schools, departments, central administration, other universities within New York State, and organizations and/or associations regarding research, extension, and higher education as regards to community relations. Analyzing and influencing actions of local governments to ensure productive collaborations. Informing leadership within University Relations, and more broadly across campus, of the local community’s concerns and expectations of relations with Cornell; advising same leadership of appropriate actions.

• Maintaining strict confidentiality in all aspects of community relations.

What You Need

• Bachelor’s degree with at least five to seven years’ full time work experience in a college or university public relations or government relations operation setting or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity