Career Center

Sr. Conference/Event Planner, Student and Campus Life

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.

Student and Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellness, social justice, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

Campus Life Enterprise Services (CLES) is the primary revenue-generating unit within Student and Campus Life, inclusive of Cornell Dining, Cornell Catering, Housing and Residential Life, Conference and Event Services, The Cornell Store(s), and a dedicated CLES Marketing and Communications team. CLES is a large campus-wide organization, with an annual budget of approximately $160 million and employs over 800 regular (union and non-union) staff members and over 800 contingent and student employees to successfully operate its broad-ranging business operations.

As a part of the larger CLES unit, and reporting to the Sr Director of Conference and Event Services, the Conference and Event Services Planning team supports the planning and execution of high-volume conferences and special on-campus events, ranging from small meetings to large university-wide events. This team is driven by a passion for attention to details, providing an excellent guest and user experience, and working collaboratively with a very broad range of university constituents to ensure operational coordination and delivery.

The Sr. Conference/Event Planner is a critical point person for coordinating meetings, special programs, and events for both university and non-university groups. This role takes the lead on planning, organizing, and executing 30-40 key conferences each year, with the majority of the conference activity being delivered in the summer months. In addition, this role helps generate new business, negotiate and finalize contracts, and assist with billing and tracking information related to the conference services business. Serving as the primary point of contact, this role ensures that all of the key elements needed to execute a successful conference or meeting (food, transportation, room layouts, lodging, etc.) are in place and works with the team to deliver an overall excellent hospitality experience for clients using Cornell's venues and services.

This role will train new Planner staff, when hired. This role will schedule and lead regular relationship maintenance and communications meetings with regular stakeholders such as the CES Concierge team, Cornell Catering, WCHS, Residential Life, Building Care, and Facilities. This role will also seek to develop relationships with other stakeholders on campus to develop into future clients, or to increase efficiencies in planning.

This role will suggest, and assist to develop, new business strategies and procedures, projects to increase efficiency and productivity, and provide guidance as to SOPs.

A successful candidate will manage multiple ongoing projects and events in various stages of delivery. Additionally, they will interact collaboratively with a broad range of internal stakeholders and leverage those relationships to ensure excellent service delivery to clients. This role will hire and train student support staff to deliver customer service and assist with event management tasks as well as ensure all accounting, finance, and policy requirements are being adhered to and reconciling any variances

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent; with at least 2 years of experience with conference and event planning or equivalent to demonstrate excellent planning, project management and organizational skills. Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation

Preferred Qualifications:

Highly preferred qualifications include; passion for problem solving and functioning with a high level of autonomy and independence when needed. Willingness to take initiative and respond to priorities with a service-minded approach. Desire to collaborate broadly with community stakeholders and a diverse range of clients and customers. Ability to edit and proof marketing and presentation materials. Excellent computer skills including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Filemaker, or similar database software, and calendar management programs and the ability to learn new systems quickly.

This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The successful applicant will be expected to work on campus.

University Job Title:

Event/Conference Coord II

Job Family:

Administration

Level:

E

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$56,289.00 - $65,416.00

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Kelly Field

Number of Openings:

1

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 (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

Union Positions

Current Employees:

Online Submission Guidelines:

Employment Assistance:

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application.

Notice to Applicants:

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. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. 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.

2023-01-09-08:00