Guest Experience Coordinator, CAU

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Temporary Guest Experience Coordinator (Evening Concierge, 2:30pm - 10:30pm) in our Alumni Affairs and Development division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to Cornell's Adult University (CAU) 2 week summer program.

Position Summary

CAU Summer is an annual 2-week, on-campus, residential program offering faculty-led courses for the alumni, family, and friends audience. CAU Summer 2026 runs from July 5 - July 18. Positions begin before the program start date for training and prep work.

The Temporary Guest Experience Coordinator is the heartbeat of hospitality at CAU Summer, ensuring every guest feels welcomed, valued, and cared for-starting weeks before arrival. Acting as the virtual front desk, this role proactively connects with participants, learns their needs, and creates memorable "wow" moments throughout their stay. With a warm, service-minded approach, the Guest Experience Coordinator provides seamless communication, personalized attention, and efficient problem-solving to make each guest's experience exceptional.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Arrival Guest Engagement (Starting June 8)

• Call each participant or household staying in the dorm to introduce yourself, answer questions, and gather information about their expectations, preferences, and needs.

• Build a guest profile with relevant details (dietary restrictions, mobility concerns, special requests, past experiences with CAU, etc.).

• Set the tone for a welcoming and highly personalized experience before they even arrive on campus.

• Provide proactive guidance on what to expect, what to bring, and any last-minute details to ensure a smooth arrival.

Personalized Guest Engagement:

• Get to know each guest by name, understand their needs, and create moments that surprise and delight.

• Foster an environment where guests feel comfortable asking for assistance, sharing feedback, or making requests.

• Act as the go-to problem solver, addressing any concerns with professionalism and care.

• Keep a detailed log of concerns, issues, and requests, ensuring smooth follow-ups and resolutions.

Virtual Front Desk Coordination & Communication:

• Monitor and respond promptly to guest requests via the CAU Summer texting app, providing real-time assistance.

• Act as a central point of contact for questions about schedules, logistics, or on-campus amenities.

• Work closely with other CAU team members to coordinate responses and ensure guest needs are met efficiently.

Lounge Oversight & Atmosphere:

• Oversee the hospitality lounge, ensuring the space remains inviting and well-stocked.

• Offer warm, proactive service as guests stop by for coffee and snacks.

• Collaborate with the Morning Hospitality & Coffee Captain to replenish supplies as needed.

Guest Service Tracking & Issue Resolution:

• Maintain a detailed guest log of requests, feedback, and issues to ensure consistent follow-up.

• Anticipate potential needs and offer solutions before guests even ask.

• Escalate urgent concerns to appropriate CAU team members while ensuring guests feel heard and valued.

About Cornell's Adult University

CAU (Cornell's Adult University), Cornell Alumni Travel, Alumni Wine by Cornell Alumni Affairs are revenue-generating engagement programs that seek to drive increasingly meaningful engagement with the alumni, family, and friend audience, as well as to maximize revenue generation on behalf of Alumni Affairs and Development (AAD). In that, these programs have a meaningful impact related to AAD's strategic vision and lead initiatives in support of the Cornell Alumni Engagement Strategic Plan. These programs also work toward the campaign engagement goal of engaging 200,000 unique alumni, and annual engagement goals of overall alumni engagement, number of volunteer and alumni donors, new, re-engaged and retained alumni.

Required Qualifications

• Must have a valid U.S. driver's license

• No specific formal education is required. Comprehensive training for each position will be provided.

• Naturally warm, welcoming, and service-minded-a true hospitality professional who loves making people feel special.

• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Excellent attention to detail-can remember guest names, preferences, and past requests.

• Strong communicator and problem-solver-able to handle guest concerns gracefully and efficiently.

• Tech-savvy and adaptable-comfortable using a texting app to manage requests in real time.

• Highly organized-able to track and document guest interactions for seamless follow-ups.

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

• This is the perfect role for someone who thrives in a guest-facing, high-touch environment and enjoys creating an unforgettable hospitality experience at CAU Summer!

Work Location

This position is fully on site on the Ithaca Cornell Campus.

Pay Rate

Starting pay $22.70

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 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 Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at accommodations@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:

Cornellwelcomes 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 seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage 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.