Responsibilities

• As a dual report to the Dean of Cornell Bowers and the Vice President of University Relations, the Assistant Dean of Marketing and Communications serves as the senior communications strategist responsible for designing, leading, and refining a comprehensive communications strategy that elevates the college's visibility, reputation, and impact.
• The Assistant Dean leads, develops, and oversees a broad communications portfolio — including strategic messaging, digital strategy, stakeholder engagement, marketing, and storytelling — ensuring the college’s voice is clear, compelling, and aligned with its values and brand promise.
• The Assistant Dean will provide management, leadership, and direction for communications staff and projects, develop, implement, and refine integrated communication strategies that connect the college’s mission, goals, priorities, and accomplishments to internal and external audiences, and direct senior leadership on strategic marketing communications related to the college’s academic programs.
• Communicators in colleges, schools, and units regularly collaborate with, and consult, University Relations departments.
• University Relations serves as a partner and resource for all college/unit communicators.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education and communication or a closely related area or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives in a decentralized academic environment.
• Familiarity with compliance requirements affecting communication and global partnerships.
• Proven ability to lead through influence, mobilizing distributed teams and aligning diverse stakeholders around shared institutional goals.
• Ability to operate with delegated authority, exercise sound judgment, and represent institutional priorities to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to translate complex policies into clear, actionable guidance that reduces uncertainty for faculty and staff.
• Experience facilitating discussions across diverse academic communities, acknowledging concerns, and building trust.
• Skill in designing or overseeing training, educational resources, and communication strategies that improve institutional compliance.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.

Preferred

• Master's degree and ten years plus related experience, preferable in higher education with experience in public relations, communication, journalism, public affairs, or related fields.

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.
• 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. Learn more: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays, plus two floating holidays for flexibility.
• Cornell's tuition benefits include Extramural Study, tuition aid for external education, and Child Tuition Assistance.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards.