Assistant Director of Operations

The Opportunity

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Office of Pre-Award Services (OPAS) seeks an experienced and collaborative Assistant Director to lead a team of pre-award professionals and oversee the delivery of high-quality research administration services. This position provides leadership from proposal development through submission, serves as a Grants and Contracts Officer (GCO), and works closely with faculty, staff, college leadership, and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) to support the successful pursuit of external research funding.

The Assistant Director supervises and manages grant coordinator staff, oversees workflow and proposal coverage, and ensures the effective and timely delivery of pre-award support services with a strong emphasis on customer service. The position partners with the OPAS Director and CALS leadership to translate strategic priorities into effective team practices, policies, procedures, and operational efficiencies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and supervise the OPAS grant coordinator team, including managing workflow, triaging proposal coverage, onboarding and training staff, and supporting professional development.

• Oversee pre-award operations and services, identifying opportunities to improve processes, efficiencies, and customer service in partnership with the OPAS Director and CALS leadership.

• Serve as a Grants and Contracts Officer (GCO) for assigned CALS departments, providing guidance to faculty, staff, and students throughout proposal development and submission.

• Review and approve proposals and budgets for compliance with university, federal, state, and sponsor-specific requirements, exercising signature authority for designated sponsors.

• Collaborate across CALS and OSP with faculty, administrative managers, the Grant Proposal Team, and research administration colleagues to ensure timely, accurate, and effective proposal submissions.

• Serve as an alternate CALS GCO, providing backup coverage and ensuring continuity of pre-award services as needed.

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Contract College position based in Ithaca, NY. This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, with either a 2:3 or 3:2 campus-to-home schedule. The 3:2 arrangement is available for employees who prefer an individual workspace on campus. The hybrid work arrangement will be mutually agreed upon and is subject to change at any time. Work hours are 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday, with flexibility to work up to 5pm as needed to meet deadlines. Final salary will be commensurate with experience.

About the CALS Office of Pre-Award Services

The CALS Office of Pre-Award Services (OPAS) assists in the execution of over 1,300 proposals and applications annually which reflect the superior quality and robust competitiveness of Cornell University research. OPAS’ mission is to:

Provide pre-award support to principal investigators and supported departments and colleges during the proposal development process from concept to submission. Build proposal budgets in a format which communicates the costs associated with a project in a clear and uncomplicated manner which address the considerations of post-award accounting practices and policies. Understand and communicate sponsor, university, college, and department procedures and policies. Work closely with colleagues at the Cornell Office of Pre-Award Services through the pre-award process; as stewards of initial and revised pre-award budgets, documentation, and correspondence. Promote proposal award success within CALS and supported departments and colleges.

What We Need

We are seeking a team member with prior supervisory experience, signature and transaction authority, and familiarity with sponsored research. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who works independently, demonstrates sound judgment, and can effectively manage responsibilities with minimal oversight. Additionally, you will have:

• A Bachelor’s Degree with 3 - 5 years of progressively responsible experience with sponsored research administration, including research proposals and budget preparation, proposal submission systems or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience effectively supervising, managing, and leading staff and fostering a spirit of collegiality and teamwork.

• Excellent computer skills, exceptional customer service skills, strong oral and written communication skills as well as organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Experience handling confidential materials and sensitive information with the utmost tact and discretion. Establishing appropriate individual priorities and demonstrating initiative and self-direction to follow through on all areas of responsibility and functioning as part of the team are required.

• Demonstrated a positive and professional attitude with a commitment to continuous growth and learning.

• The ability to function effectively under pressure, demonstrating sound judgment while ensuring critical deadlines are met, and adherence to university policies and procedures are upheld.

• Experience working in an environment where change in process/procedures is common. Position requires meeting critical deadlines which will occasionally necessitate evening and weekend work.

• Completed Cornell University Supervisory Development Training within one year of hire into the position. Recommendations: Turning Point and Harold Craft.

• Compliance with all Cornell University and job-related training requirements.

If you possess these experiences and skills this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, to include:

• Three years of progressively complex experience in central administrative offices at department, college or university level.

• Must have experience with research proposal and budget preparation, proposal submission systems, i.e. Fastlane, Grants.gov, Commons.

• Familiarity with scientific and legal terms is preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead a team.

A cover letter and resume are required for consideration for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 3 days per week and on-campus 2 days per week or remotely 2 days per week and on-campus 3 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York. Employees who work remotely may receive multiple W-2 Forms depending on their work location. The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholding for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside of New York State.

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity 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 health and personal leave, 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. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell

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

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

University Job Title:

Job Family:

Level:

Pay Rate Type:

Pay Range:

Remote Option Availability:

Company:

Contact Name:

Contact Email:

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

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [email protected].

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, 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.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.