Position is located in New York, NY, within the ILR School located at 570 Lexington Ave New York, NY 10022, or can be based remotely. The position requires significant ability to travel for retreats and tailored/customized union programs.

The School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University has an immediate opening for Labor Leadership Programs Associate - Senior Extension Associate / Extension Associate in the Worker Institute in the NYC Extension/Outreach Division.

Our Team:

Over 20 years ago, the Worker Institute founded the New York State Union Leadership Institute (ULI), a powerful retreat-based program offered in conjunction with the NY State AFL-CIO. This yearly cohort program provides support to unions by training staff and leaders to be more powerful and effective in their work. Many of New York State’s union leaders attribute their ability to leverage increased power and effectiveness – including reaching the highest-level staff and elected positions – to their participation in the ULI earlier in their careers.  In 2013, a sister program, the National Labor Leadership Initiative (NLLI), was created. It provides a similar space and support for the highest-level national leaders of unions and worker organizations. The growth potential for these programs is exponential. Since 2013, the WI leadership programs have offered regional-level leadership programs across multiple regions of the US & Canada. In 2022 a global labor leadership program has been launched in conjunction with the Solidarity Center. In 2021, an advanced program limited to graduates of our existing retreats and focused on supporting leaders through the pandemic was launched.

Our programs also work directly with stakeholder organizations to bring the curricula and approach into individual unions. To date, we have offered versions of the NLLI/ULI curriculum to staff and leaders at multiple unions across the US.

What you will do:

This position is focused on supporting the New York State Union Leadership Institute, in partnership with the ULI Director. The leadership development associate will oversee recruitment and logistics and serve as an anchor on the facilitation team for our New York State retreat-based leadership program. Responsibilities include coordinating retreats, teaching current curriculum, and expanding curriculum offerings by researching and developing new modules, maintaining relationships with key union leadership stakeholders and providing tailored organizational and leadership development support to stakeholder organizations. A skilled relationship manager, this associate will deepen our existing organizational relationships and bring new organizations into our programs. The labor leadership associate will also maintain a set of organizational development clients who rely on the Worker Institute to help them increase the power and effectiveness of their organization.

Senior Extension Associate / Extension Associate is an academic, full-time, non-tenure track, term position with an initial appointment through June 30, 2025. The position may be re-appointed based on recommendations by the appropriate Director and Associate Dean for Outreach, as well as available funding and work. Position rank will be determined by qualifications and experience.

More information about the ILR School can be obtained at our web site, http://www.ilr.cornell.edu , The Worker Institute https://www.ilr.cornell.edu/worker-institute and NYS Union Leadership Institute https://www.ilr.cornell.edu/union-leadership-institute

What we need:

• Master’s degree in related subject matter expertise (industrial and labor relations, employment or labor law, human resources/management/business, organizational behavior/change, economics, workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, occupational medicine/workplace safety and health, education, diversity/inclusion).
• Minimum three years of experience (seven years for Senior) in the labor movement, as staff or elected leader in a union or worker organization.
• Demonstrated practical experience applying organizational development to the labor movement – including strategic planning, internal organizational/leadership development and/or working with external clients.
• Significant experience with adult education, including but not limited to working in a union education program, training in principles of adult education and working with adult learners.
• Demonstrated ability to design participatory curriculum.  
• Demonstrated relevant professional leadership and network development at the state, regional, national, and/or international areas in relevant professional, trade, policy, or public networks.
• Ability to travel frequently for retreats and tailored/customized union programs.

You will be a top candidate with our preferred qualifications:

• Terminal degree in related subject matter preferred for senior.
• Certificate or other credential in organizational development.
• Experience working with two or more of the following functions: worker organizing, political organizing, policy/legislation, collective bargaining, representation, leadership development.
• Experience with multiple unions or worker organizations.
• Experience with federated labor bodies, including national AFL-CIO, State AFL-CIO and/or Central Labor Council/Area Labor Federation.
• Minimum of one to three years demonstrated experience in project management (coordination among stakeholders, staff, contractors; managing budgets and logistics, etc.).
• Ability to lead or support diversity, equity, inclusion and justice work.

ILR School appreciates employees by providing the opportunity to pilot a 3:2 campus-to-home hybrid schedule after a period of orientation and acclimation.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Cornell appreciates employees with great rewards & benefits:

Cornell provides great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions and superior retirement contributions.

Cornell has also been nationally recognized as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. For more information click here.

To Apply:

Interested parties should submit a vita and letter of application describing qualifications and research agenda, and teaching experience. 

As part of the university's comprehensive vaccination program, all Cornell employees are required to have and provide proof of an FDA-or WHO-authorized or approved COVID-19 primary vaccination or have obtained a university-approved disability/medical or religious exemption, regardless of their role and work location.

New hires are required to provide documentation showing primary vaccination status (that is, completion of two shots of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one shot of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson) before their first day of work. If a new hire's vaccination is not complete or information is not received by their start date, the first day of work will be delayed. It is possible in some cases that an offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.