Career Center

Director of Communications and Marketing, Cornell Tech

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.

New hires are required to provide documentation showing primary vaccination status (that is, completion of two shots of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one shot of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson) before their first day of work. If a new hire's vaccination is not complete or information is not received by their start date, the first day of work will be delayed. It is possible in some cases that an offer of employment may be withdrawn.

The Director of Communications and Marketing leads strategic communications, messaging, editorial, design, digital, and public relations efforts at Cornell Tech, working closely with campus academic and administrative leadership as well as with the university's communications leadership team (University Relations).

The director collaborates with constituents across campus to develop a multi-year communications plan, including metrics, for advancing the visibility of Cornell Tech with key target audiences, including prospective master's students, potential academic and industry partners, researchers and faculty at peer institutions, and the media. The position will supervise a team of two while also leading the management of external vendors and freelancers.

The role will:

• Develop and lead execution of the campus strategic communications plan, effectively emphasizing core campus strengths and priorities across a range of content platforms.
• Advance Cornell Tech's visibility through placemaking and marketing activities, including admissions marketing/recruitment, event support and media outreach.
• Promote the campus' deep, diverse, interdisciplinary research across a variety of academic topics, from algorithmic bias and autonomous driving to cybersecurity and health-tech.
• Highlight Cornell Tech's efforts to expand and diversify New York City's tech ecosystem, and its ability to prepare students to do work that is impactful, ethical, innovative, and entrepreneurial.
• In partnership with University Relations, steward campus branding, ensuring proper usage of content, design and positioning elements for marketing and communication media and materials for both Cornell Tech and the Jacobs Institute.
• Oversee internal and crisis communications for the campus in collaboration with campus leadership, University Relations, and an external PR firm.
• Serve as the school's resident communications expert and advisor, providing guidance on a wide range of topics and platforms.
• Foster on-going relationships with faculty, administrators, staff, and students to keep current on relevant events, projects and accomplishments.
• Develop and deepen relationships with Cornell communicators in Ithaca, including University Relations and college, school, and administrative unit partners.
• Liaise with University Relations (as well as other campus partners including the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and the American Technion Society), helping to direct and coordinate joint projects that advance Cornell Tech's goals.
• Manage communications and marketing team of two as well as department operating and project budgets including contracts with outside freelancers, public relations, and other strategic communications vendors.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (Communications, English, Journalism or Marketing preferred) with at least five to seven years of relevant communications experience.
• Superior skills in communications, branding, public relations, strategic marketing, writing and editing (AP Style), with the creativity necessary to design and implement effective communications strategies and programs.
• Proven ability to manage a multi-functional team; maintaining respectful, positive working relationships with all co-workers and the general public, and use good judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
• Nimbleness in being able to proactively prioritize particular communications objectives while simultaneously collaborating with internal constituents, departments and initiatives as a service center
• Technical and digital experience with diverse platforms including social media, video production, CMS and CRM platforms, and website maintenance.
• Demonstrated capacity to produce content for a wide range of sophisticated communication outlets.
• Creative, highly motivated and organized team builder and self-starter.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience establishing and growing a new brand and/or place in a corporate or academic setting.
• Previous experience working with academic programs and in particular focus on developing new academic programs; previous experience advancing tech-related narratives, including on social media; previous experience working with agencies on branding and public relations (in an agency of record capacity).
• Familiarity in admissions marketing; ability to work with enrollment and admissions team to provide collateral and marketing tools focused on enrollment targets.

For full consideration, please attach both a cover letter and resume with your application

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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.

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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.

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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, 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.