Academic HR Partner

About the College, School, or Department

The College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (Cornell AAP) at Cornell University encompasses five departments, 20 degree programs, 18 labs, and the Cornell Mui Ho Center for Cities, and brings together students, faculty, and staff from around the world. The college fosters partnerships for urban and community change globally. As a vital part of a leading research university, we address urgent challenges and advance sustainable design, research, and practices.

Cornell AAP is dedicated to transformative actions, fostering a community focused on Creative + Critical Practices, Sustainability + Social Impact, Design + Emerging Technologies, and the Future of Cities + Development.

Departments include Architecture, Art, City and Regional Planning, the Paul Rubacha Department of Real Estate (in collaboration with the S.C. Johnson College of Business), and Design Tech (partnered with Cornell Bowers CIS, Cornell Engineering, the College of Human Ecology, and Cornell Tech). The college operates in Ithaca, New York City, and Rome, Italy, with state-of-the-art facilities.

The Opportunity

This role plays a pivotal role in our HR function, driving excellence and making a meaningful impact within our organization. This position is essential for creating a thriving workplace where every employee can succeed and contribute to Cornell's mission.

In partnership with AAP's HR Leadership, this role provides guidance and direction on a range of academic HR matters, including (but not limited to) academic policies and policy interpretation, procedures, and guidelines. You'll provide support on all academic searches, hiring, search waivers, compensation, extensions, renewals, promotions and appointment processes and leaves for academic and teaching positions.

The person in this role must establish an in-depth understanding of the university's policies and the college's procedures related to the management of tenure and tenure-track, non-tenure track, and other academic appointments. This role partners with Human Resources and department leadership in managing sensitive matters requiring analysis of issues, creative problem-solving, and confidentiality. This role serves as back up for the HR & Payroll Administrator.

Core Hours and Location

This is a primarily on-site position based at Cornell's Ithaca campus in Sibley Hall, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. While some flexibility is available, in-person presence is required due to the nature of the role. We encourage open conversations with employees regarding specific scheduling needs.

Success Factors

You are considered competitive for this role if you demonstrate:

• Self-Sufficiency & Proactive Initiative -Ability to navigate policies and academic HR processes effectively, proactively seeking answers and knowing when to escalate complex situations.
• Collaboration & Communication - Ability to build strong relationships with faculty, staff, and leadership, fostering open communication and ensuring alignment in HR practices across departments.
• Problem-Solving & Adaptability - A solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to analyze issues, interpret policies, and guide stakeholders through academic HR processes while maintaining flexibility in a fast-paced environment.
• Professionalism & Partnership - Comfortable engaging with all levels of authority, including senior leadership, while exercising discretion and confidentiality, providing informed recommendations, and confidently advocating for best practices.

What We Need

• 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.
• Associates Degree and 4 to 6 years relevant experience or equivalent combination. Proven track record in fast-paced, high-volume HR environments, demonstrating adaptability and resilience.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships across diverse audiences.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with a positive and professional demeanor.
• Proven ability to deliver outstanding customer service and a commitment to ethical workplace practices.
• Proficiency in analyzing HR data to inform strategic decisions, with experience in metrics development and reporting.
• Commitment to promoting DEI initiatives and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it's ok if you don't.

• Previous work experience in higher education, specifically in faculty affairs.
• Working knowledge of Workday

Rewards and Benefits

• 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.

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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

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 mycareer@cornell.edu.

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 University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email atequity@cornell.edu.

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 mycareer@cornell.edu.

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:

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.