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Director of Administration

Join Our Team as the Director of Administration for the Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University!

If you're eager to make an impact and be part of a dynamic team, then we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity with us!

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

About The Department

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is dedicated to advancing the understanding and protection of the natural world and joins with people from all walks of life to make new scientific discoveries, share insights, and galvanize conservation action.

About The Opportunity

With an annual budget more than $49 million, the Lab's business model is unusual in the university context, being based on a diverse set of revenue streams that include private donations from more than 180,000 members, endowment income, annual disbursement from a dedicated 509(a)(3) supporting organization, grants and contracts, and programmatic entrepreneurship. The Lab community is comprised of more than 300 staff and students and is also relatively unusual. In addition to faculty and academic staff, it also includes 210 non-academic staff dedicated to innovative technology development, data analysis, extension programs, media production, scientific communications, membership, and fundraising.

Within this context, the Director of Administration holds a high visibility position with extremely high levels of decision-making impact, oversight responsibility, fiscal management, confidentiality, internal interactivity, and external reporting. The position will serve as a critical link between the Lab and CALS, plus other Cornell communities.

To lead these efforts, we seek an experienced leader and manager who will:

• Be responsible for the overall financial and operational health and well-being of the Lab with respect to both day-to-day activities and long-term planning.
• Oversee the development and management of the Lab's finance and administrative systems and teams. This includes responsibility for the Lab's financial strategy and budgets, contract and licensing negotiations, administration, facilities, Diversity and Inclusion efforts, and human resources.
• Advise the Executive Director on key issues and assist in setting annual and long-term objectives to meet the Lab's strategic initiatives while ensuring financial solvency.
• Provide high-level leadership for the Lab. Assume responsibility of key initiatives and core functions as assigned by the Executive Director. In the absence of the Executive Director, the post holder will provide guidance and support to all Lab Programs. The Executive Director travels approximately 25% of the time.
• Work collaboratively with the Lab's Center Directors and participate as a member of the Lab's senior management council.
• Maintain a productive bidirectional partnership with the Lab's Administrative Board to forward the mission and vision of the Lab's strategic plan.
• Proactively support the Lab's mission and vision while effectively communicating and collaborating with colleagues in CALS, office of legal counsel, dean's offices, and other university offices.
• Represent the Lab in negotiations and interactions with external contractors and partners.

The Lab is currently developing a new Strategic Plan and undertaking an ambitious fundraising campaign to raise at least $250 million by 2026 with a goal of translating the Lab's preeminence in technology, science, and storytelling into conservation impact. Therefore, the Lab is currently in an expansion phase, investing in strategically important areas, and developing ways to work more effectively across its programs with colleagues in Cornell and external partners.

This is a full-time position located in the Lab's physical home in the Lab's Imogene Powers Johnson Center for Birds and Biodiversity at Sapsucker Woods, Ithaca, NY reporting to the Lab's Executive Director with a dotted line to the CALS Associate Dean of Finance and Administration.

What We Need

The successful candidate will hold a Master's degree, MBA, or equivalent formal training in business administration or related field, and 7 to 10 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination. Additional requirements include:

• Proven leadership, including leading multi-disciplinary teams of individuals with a large scope of responsibilities. Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Action oriented, entrepreneurial, flexible, and have an innovative approach to operational management.
• Able to work quickly, effectively under pressure, use judgment in accomplishing tasks that are urgent or of a sensitive or confidential nature; balance conflicting priorities, and make decisions from a range of choices. Comfortable working in an environment where change in process/procedures is the norm.
• Ability to create strong relationships built on trust, integrity, inclusivity, and diplomatic communication.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Customer service skills and a demonstrated ability to communicate with a broad range of people is essential. Attention to detail and organizational skills are critical.
• Strong working knowledge of budgeting and accounting policies and practices in a complex institution; grant and contract management; finance investments, policies, laws, and procedures; risk management; financial analysis, reporting and external contract negotiation required.
• Proven ability to prepare and review a wide variety of service contracts, seeking guidance from legal counsel, risk management, technology licensing (CTL) and procurement services.
• Experience with the strategic planning process, including inclusive development of vision, objectives and theories of change, and identifying and monitoring goals.
• Commitment to championing and supporting DEIJ values and creating a welcoming and supportive working environment.

Preferably the successful candidate will also have the following;

• AICPA Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential or IMA Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or be able to earn the credential(s) within 1 year. Credential must be maintained as a condition of employment, professional fees will be reimbursed to maintain credentials.
• Upper-level management experience or business administration in higher education and/or not-for-profit institutions. Success as an inspirational leader who has successfully motivated staff to achieve and sustain excellence.
• High energy, humility, integrity, positive attitude, forward thinking, creative individual with high ethical standards. Outstanding leadership and visionary qualities and the ability to work effectively with and through others.
• Well organized and self-directed; politically savvy and a team player.
• Experience of communicating with advisory Boards, including fundraising campaigns and financial investment management and tracking.
• Proficient in use of Cornell administrative computer systems such as KFS, Workday, Web Financials, Longview, Agile, Maximo R&B.
• Strong working knowledge of Cornell contract and endowed budgeting and accounting policies and practices; grant and contract management; personnel policies and procedures; and conflict management and contract negotiating required.
• Working knowledge of 509(a)(3) supporting organizations.
• Working knowledge of human resources policies.
• Experience working with partner institutions and organizations.
• Familiarity with biodiversity sciences, educational outreach, and/or information technology strategies or have a strong interest in the core values, mission and vision of the Lab.
• Strong Excel experience for reporting, pivot tables, charts, etc.
• Working knowledge of oversight of infrastructure and operations.

While position responsibilities vary, all people leaders are expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by being trustworthy; respecting all individuals; being flexible; supporting work/life integration as well as healthy boundaries; inviting new ideas, alternatives, and perspectives; speaking up and taking action if others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and recognizing the contributions of others.

Rewards and Benefits

Compensation range: $154,700-$180,000 (supersedes pay range below)

Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

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: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.

Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.

How to Apply:

You must submit both a Resume and Cover letter.

When applying through our system, please attach your application materials (resume 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. If you are an internal employee, please log in to Workday.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.

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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:

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• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

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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.

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For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

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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:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, 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. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

EEO Statement: Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Minimum Salary: 31200.00 Maximum Salary: 31200.00 Salary Unit: Yearly