Administrative Office Coordinator

About The School of Operations Research and Information Engineering

The School of Operations Research and Information Engineering (ORIE), within Cornell Duffield Engineering, is consistently placed among a handful of leading Operations Research programs worldwide. Cornell’s program in Operations Research and Information Engineering is a rigorous program with approximately 200 undergraduates, 125 Master of Engineering students, and 60 Ph.D. students. ORIE focuses on fundamental principles and methods but also uses contextual learning and design experiences to integrate science with engineering.

The Opportunity

Are you a highly organized professional who enjoys creating exceptional experiences for others, coordinating complex operations, and building strong relationships across a diverse community? The School of Operations Research and Information Engineering (ORIE) is seeking an Administrative Office Coordinator to serve as the central hub of our department's daily operations and events.

In this highly visible role, you will be the welcoming face of the department and a trusted partner to faculty, students, staff, alumni, visitors, and external vendors. You will help create an environment where people feel supported, informed, and connected while ensuring the smooth functioning of office operations, academic events, and departmental programs.

This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic academic environment, enjoys balancing multiple priorities, and finds satisfaction in making systems, processes, and events run seamlessly.

What You'll Do

Office Coordination:

• •Create a welcoming, professional, and inclusive environment for all visitors and community members.
• •Coordinate front-office operations and serve as a key resource for faculty, staff, students, and guests.
• •Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise student employees who support office operations.
• •Manage conference room and departmental space reservations.
• •Coordinate office supply procurement, shipping, mail distribution, and equipment management.
• •Serve as a liaison with service providers and vendors.
• •Assist with basic audiovisual troubleshooting and office technology support.
• •Maintain shared departmental spaces to ensure they remain organized, functional, and welcoming.

Support & Coordinate High-Impact Department Events:

• •Commencement celebrations
• •Faculty candidate visits
• •Research workshops and conferences
• •Undergraduate and graduate student programming
• •Orientations, networking events, and departmental gatherings

Responsibilities include coordinating venues, travel, catering, lodging, budgets, communications, reimbursements, and logistics while ensuring events are executed successfully and within budget.

Support ORIE's Seminar and Colloquium Programs:

• •Scheduling speakers and managing travel arrangements
• •Coordinating meeting schedules and event logistics
• •Supporting virtual and in-person presentations
• •Assisting with advertising and communications
• •Processing payments and reimbursements
• •Tracking budgets and preparing post-event reports

Contribute to Continuous Improvement

• •Identify opportunities to improve processes and operational efficiency.
• •Participate in special projects and departmental initiatives.
• •Maintain compliance with university policies and procedures.
• •Engage in ongoing professional development and training opportunities.

Success Factors:

• •Exceptional organizational and time-management skills
• •Strong attention to detail and follow-through
• •Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• •Sound judgment and discretion
• •Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• •Strong written and verbal communication skills
• •Comfort working independently while collaborating across teams
• •Ability to build positive relationships with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences
• •Experience coordinating events, managing logistics, or supporting administrative operations is highly valued

Your contributions will be visible, meaningful, and essential to the success of the department.

If you're excited about this opportunity and believe you can contribute to our mission, we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter. Join us and help create a welcoming, organized, and engaging environment where faculty, students, and staff can thrive.

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.

• •Associate's degree and 2-4 years of relevant administrative, operational, program coordination, or office management experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• •Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and administrative processes simultaneously.
• •Strong organizational systems and attention to detail.
• •Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• •Experience serving as a primary point of contact for diverse stakeholders.
• •Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• •Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and follow through on assignments without close supervision.
• •Experience coordinating events as part of a broader administrative role.
• •Experience maintaining records, tracking recurring activities, and managing confidential information.
• •Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and shared collaboration platforms.
• •Ability to adapt to changing priorities while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.
• •Availability for occasional evening and weekend departmental events, including Commencement during Memorial Day Weekend.

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

• •Experience in higher education or another complex service-oriented organization.
• •Experience with procurement, reimbursements, travel coordination, or budget tracking.
• •Experience supervising student employees.

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 fully onsite and located on Cornell’s main campus in Ithaca, NY.
• •There is no relocation assistance available for this position.
• •There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

This position is fully onsite and located on Cornell’s main campus 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.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

University Job Title:

Ad