Chief Administrator to the Provost

   

About the Office of the Provost

The Office of the Provost works to maintain and enhance the university’s excellence in teaching, scholarship and outreach, and is responsible for strategic planning and budgeting, tenure and promotion, academic and research initiatives and general academic supervision of the Ithaca campus.

 The Provost is the university’s chief academic officer and chief budget officer and serves as the president’s first deputy officer. The Provost oversees all academic programs and units of the university, other than those reporting to the provost for medical affairs. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Provost works directly with the deans of the colleges, schools and faculties and with the Vice Provosts as well as other members of the Provost’s executive staff.

The Opportunity

Are you a strategic leader who thrives at the intersection of innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence? We invite you to apply for the role of Chief Administrator to the Provost, a highly visible and impactful position that serves as a trusted partner to one of the university’s foremost academic leaders.

Reporting directly to the Provost, the Chief Administrator to the Provost plays a critical leadership role in advancing institutional priorities and driving strategic initiatives across the university. This position provides senior-level administrative leadership for the Provost’s Office, ensuring operational effectiveness while aligning closely with the university’s mission, values, and long-term goals.

You will act as a central connector, partnering with university leadership, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to move ideas into action, anticipate emerging opportunities and challenges, and ensure meaningful progress on high-priority initiatives set forth by the Provost.

Please note: Deadline for applications is 7/8/2026.

What You Will Do

Lead Strategy & Operations

• Provide operational leadership and administrative oversight for the Provost’s Office
• Serve as the liaison for core administrative functions including Finance, HR, IT, and Facilities
• Identify challenges and opportunities proactively, conduct analysis, and recommend solutions
• Act on behalf of the Provost to advance decisions and initiatives
• Prepare executive materials for key leadership meetings (e.g., dean’s meetings, Provost Staff Council, leadership retreats, and others as needed)
• Monitor institutional dynamics and advise the Provost on emerging issues and next steps

Drive Collaboration & Communication

• Serve as a primary liaison between the Provost and internal/external stakeholders
• Facilitate cross-campus collaboration to advance strategic priorities
• Ensure the Provost is fully prepared for engagements, including events, meetings, and communications
• Partner with executive support staff to optimize scheduling, workflows, and information flow

Executive Communications & Confidential Operations

• Draft complex and confidential correspondence, reports, and presentations
• Manage and prioritize communications on behalf of the Provost
• Support executive-level personnel processes, including appointments, reviews, and sensitive faculty matters
• Maintain organized, secure documentation and support decision-making with high-quality materials

Institutional Engagement & Leadership Alignment

• Collaborate with senior leaders (academic deans, vice provosts, vice presidents) to advance initiatives
• Represent the Provost in meetings and with stakeholder groups
• Support shared governance processes with thoughtful engagement and follow-through

Project Management & Governance

• Plan and execute high-level projects, including Board of Trustees academic affairs work
• Coordinate meetings, agendas, materials, and follow-up for committees and leadership groups
• Conduct research, analyze data, and prepare reports for executive audiences
• Track progress, deadlines, and outcomes of key initiatives

Organizational Effectiveness & Team Collaboration

• Help foster a collaborative and supportive environment within the Provost’s Office
• Partner with the President’s Office to align processes, share best practices, and ensure continuity
• Provide occasional cross-office support and coverage as needed

In this role, you’ll shape meaningful institutional outcomes, contribute to a vibrant academic community, and work alongside dedicated leaders committed to excellence and inclusion. Your work will directly influence how the university advances its mission and supports the success of its students, faculty, and staff. If you are ready to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, we encourage you to apply.

Success Factors

• Exceptional leadership, organizational, and project management skills
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into action
• Outstanding communication skills- written, verbal, and interpersonal
• Ability to manage complex, sensitive matters with discretion and judgment
• Experience working with senior leadership in a dynamic, multifaceted organization
• Commitment to collaboration, inclusion, and engaging diverse perspectives

What We Need

A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.

• Master’s Degree and minimum of 5 years of significant executive administrative support experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships at all levels and with all constituencies (internal and external).
• Ability to work independently, establish and accomplish priorities, coordinate projects and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with tact and discretion.
• High degree of initiative, judgment and creative problem-solving abilities are necessary in this role as well as excellent problem solving and analytical abilities.
• Proficiency with personal computers for word processing, database management, spreadsheet analysis, presentations, calendar management and electronic communication.
• Position works with a high degree of autonomy, independent judgment, and decision making, requiring the incumbent to act independently and with confidence in their decision-making ability.
• Must exercise discretion and confidentiality in all matters.

It Would Be a Bonus if You Have Any of the Following

• Experience working in a higher education environment preferred.
• Knowledge of Cornell’s administrative structure highly desirable.
• Previous experience in supporting higher education leadership.

Important Notes About Applying

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.
• This position is expected to work fully on-site on Cornell University’s main campus located in Ithaca, NY.
• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is expected to work fully on-site on Cornell University’s main campus located in Ithaca, NY.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell:Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

   

University Job Title:

Administrator VI

   

Job Family:

Administration

   

Level:

H

   

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

   

Pay Range:

$150,167.00 - $183,537.00

   

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

   

Company:

Endowed

   

Contact Name:

Brad Stock

   

Contact Email:

bs223@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.

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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.

2026-06-24