Assistant Director, Career Pathways- Cornell Duffield Engineering Office of External Collaboration and Innovation (Hybrid)

Who We Are

Building on our 150-plus-year legacy as one of the nation's preeminent engineering colleges, the Cornell Duffield College of Engineeringis a purpose-driven, inclusive community committed to developing the knowledge, capabilities, and people needed to forge a better future. Comprising more than 10 schools and departments, we are rooted in Ithaca, New York, with a growing presence in New York City and a global network of alumni and collaborators. Guided by our core values, our faculty and staff regularly engage across disciplines and intentionally bring together a range of perspectives as they lead and support ambitious efforts to tackle societal challenges, develop the next generation of leaders, and make a meaningful difference in the world.

The Cornell Duffield Engineering Office of External Collaboration and Innovation empowers students to explore and pursue meaningful career paths by connecting them with real-world opportunities in industry, research, entrepreneurship, and public impact. Through a broad network of employer, alumni, and campus partnerships, we support inclusive and strategic talent development pipelines. Corporate and employer engagement is a cornerstone of our work-we collaborate closely with colleagues across Cornell to help industry partners identify, recruit, and invest in the exceptional talent and research collaboration opportunities within Cornell Duffield Engineering.

The Career Pathways team within the Office of External Collaboration and Innovation is dedicated to supporting students as they explore and pursue diverse, purpose-driven futures in engineering and beyond. We empower students to identify and navigate pathways in industry, entrepreneurship, research, graduate education, and social impact through inclusive programming.

What You Will Do

The Assistant Director for Career Pathways serves as a strategic program leader within the Corporate and Employer Engagement Team of the Office of External Collaboration and Innovation at Cornell Duffield Engineering. This role is responsible for conceptualizing and executing student-facing initiatives that bridge engineering education with real-world career exploration, employer engagement, and innovation experiences. With a focus on inclusive and equitable access, the Assistant Director advances programming that helps students connect their technical expertise to diverse post-graduate opportunities.

Key programs under this role include the Engineering Co-op Program, as well as new initiatives aligned with talent development pipelines in industry, entrepreneurship, and public service. The Assistant Director works collaboratively across the college and university-serving as a liaison to academic units, faculty, student organizations, career development professionals across the Cornell Career Network, and external stakeholders.

This role requires a creative and strategic partner who excels at cross-functional collaboration, program design, stakeholder engagement, and operational execution.

Key Competencies:

• Ability to develop innovative, student-centered programming that reflects institutional priorities and workforce trends.

• Skill in identifying emerging fields, industries, and talent pathways to inform new initiatives.

• Relationship Building and Stakeholder Management

• Proven ability to build trust and foster collaboration with students, faculty, employers, and campus partners.

• Commitment to designing and delivering programs that are accessible and relevant for students from all backgrounds.

• Creative problem-solving skills and an entrepreneurial mindset that supports innovation, iteration, and responsiveness to student needs.

• Ability to collect and apply data for ongoing assessment, adaptation, and reporting.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and events with high attention to quality, detail, and stakeholder satisfaction.

• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and facilitation skills for a range of professional audiences.

• Strong leadership presence and ability to inspire participation and shared ownership of initiatives.

• Active commitment to ongoing professional development and learning.

• Openness to feedback and ability to coach or mentor students and peers.

What We Need

• Bachelor's degree and 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in program management, student services, innovation/entrepreneurship programming, or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Demonstrated experience in program development, implementation, and evaluation

• Proven ability to manage budgets, including grant obligations and reporting requirements

• Strong analytical skills with ability to assess program effectiveness and make data-driven recommendations

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience developing marketing materials and reports

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and exercise sound judgment in complex situations

• Proficiency in project management and organizational systems

• Ability to advocate for individuals from a broad range of backgrounds

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members

It would be a bonus if you have any of the following:

• Experience in higher education, particularly within engineering or STEM disciplines

• Background in innovation, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, or commercialization programs

• Knowledge of cooperative education (co-op) programs and industry partnerships

• Experience with student organization advising and leadership development

• Grant writing experience and familiarity with external funding sources

• Experience with event planning and competition management

• Understanding of intellectual property and technology commercialization processes

• Familiarity with assessment and evaluation methodologies for educational programs.

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 role requires occasional weekend and evening work.

• There is no relocation assistance available for this position.

• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The position will typically allow for the flexibility to work remotely 1 day per week at a location of employee's choosing within the United States. The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside New York State.

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability 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: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include 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: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards.

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