Communications & Change Management Specialist (CEMI)

Communications & Change Management Specialist (CEMI)

[Remote] [2-Year Term]

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.

This is a 2-year term appointment that may be ended or extended based on organizational needs, funding availability, and performance.

About the Cornell Experience Modernization Initiative

The Cornell Experience Modernization Initiative (CEMI) is a multi-year program designed to improve the experience of students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, patients, and partners by unifying and enhancing administrative systems and processes across all Cornell University locations. Its name CEMI is said as "See Me" because the focus is on you: the people who use Cornell's systems and data to accomplish your goals.

What will you do

The CEMI Communications & Change Management Specialist supports complex, university-wide initiatives within the Cornell Experience Modernization Initiative through strategic communications and organizational change management. The role focuses on helping individuals and teams understand, prepare for, and adapt to changes in processes, technologies, and ways of working through effective, audience-centered communication and engagement.

Operating with a high level of independence and judgment, this position works with program teams, leaders, subject matter experts, and communication and change management colleagues to design and deliver communication and engagement approaches. Approximately 50% of the role is focused on communications strategy development, content creation, and community engagement, with the remaining 50% supporting organizational change management activities.

Every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, organizational change management, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing communication strategies for complex initiatives in a decentralized organization.
• Familiarity with organizational change management concepts and methodologies.
• Completion of Prosci Change Management training and/or certification, or a demonstrated willingness to obtain certification within a defined timeframe.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, with careful attention to detail and ability to work independently.
• Comfort operating in an environment with evolving priorities, ambiguity, and multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Proven ability to build productive working relationships and influence community understanding.
• Strong editorial judgment and commitment to high quality content.
• User-centered mindset and commitment to positive community experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Teams, and SharePoint, with comfort working in Salesforce, Marketing Cloud, and Smartsheet, or similar applications.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on large‑scale transformation or multi‑year program initiatives, particularly involving technology adoption or business process redesign.
• Experience supporting organizational, technology, or process‑driven change initiatives, ideally within a complex, decentralized, or higher‑education environment.
• Completion of Prosci Change Management training and/or certification.

Application Information

• A resume is required. A cover letter expressing alignment with Cornell's mission is strongly encouraged. Please attach materials in PDF format.
• No Visa Sponsorship or Relocation assistance is available.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York, but may be performed remotely anywhere within the United States.
• Cornell offers comprehensive health care, retirement contributions, wellness programs, and employee discounts.
• Generous leave provisions including vacation, 13 holidays, and two additional floating holidays.
• Educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study, Employee Degree Program, and tuition aid.

About Us

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. We offer a rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life.