Career Center

Student & Campus Life Special Event Planner, Conference & Events Services

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 Executive Director of Conference and Event Services, the University Events team supports the management, planning and execution of 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.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of University Events, the SCL Special Event Planner will provide support to large-scale and high-profile university events sponsored by students organizations, university departments, and/or community organizations as well as serve as a critical point person for coordinating special programs and complex events for both SCL's Office of the Vice President and SCL Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) teams that often involve volunteers, key alumni and major gift donors. This work will include taking the logistical lead on planning, organizing, and executing a large variety of alumni, parent/family, and staff events connected to these unique areas each year. Serving as the primary point of contact for key elements needed to execute a successful event, this role will be responsible for items such as venue reservations, audio/visual needs, photography, food/catering, transportation, room layouts, facility needs, lodging, etc. that are often in place to deliver an overall excellent hospitality experience during the events. In collaboration with key contacts in SCL and Athletics AA&D this role will also help participate in development, design and programming for each assigned event.

A successful Event Planner will:

• Have a passion for problem solving, logistics and have a high level of attention to detail with timely coordination to be able to successfully manage multiple ongoing projects, events and priorities in various stages of delivery.
• Function with a high level of autonomy and independence and demonstrate a willingness to take initiative and respond appropriately to emerging priorities
• Possess a service-minded approach in order to interact collaboratively with a broad range of internal and community stakeholders as well as clients and customers and will leverage those relationships to ensure excellent service delivery to guests, parents, alumni and friends.
• Ensure effective communication and discretion while working with sensitive or confidential information

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent; with at least 2 years of related experience or equivalent combination
• Demonstrated excellent planning, project management and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard office computer applications (Microsoft Office, Internet, Desktop Publishing software).
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and reliable transportation to effectively attend events. Some additional travel maybe required.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Highly preferred qualifications include; Additional education and experience including skills with InDesign, CVENT, and Adobe as well as event planning software. Certified Meeting Planner a plus. Ability to edit and proof marketing and presentation materials.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This position is located in Ithaca, New York. This position is eligible for a hybrid work assignment with remote and on-site work. The opportunity for remote work is subject to change based on business needs. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

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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:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

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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.