- Job Type: Officer of Administration
- Regular/Temporary: Regular
- Hours Per Week: 35
- Salary Range: $82,000-$87,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) seeks an Assistant Director to play a key role in managing the MPA in Global Leadership (MPA-GL), a graduate degree for senior leaders in global policy and management that will matriculate its first class in August 2023. The 10-month MPA-GL is designed for outstanding individuals with preferably 10–15 years of progressively senior experience who seek to deepen their knowledge of specific global policy issues, strengthen their analytical and management capabilities, and expand their professional networks. Reporting to the MPA-GL Director, the Assistant Director will collaborate with other SIPA and University offices to set up and help implement all aspects of the highly selective new program, including marketing, recruitment, admissions, student advising, curriculum support, financial administration, and alumni relations.
At SIPA—the world’s leading school of global policy—we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We work to cultivate these values in our practices, programs, and policies. We aim to create a workplace that is welcoming and celebrates the unique lived experiences of all our staff, students, and faculty. We are particularly interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the School. Applicants are encouraged to include information in their cover letter about how they will further this goal.
Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the MPA-GL Director and working with relevant SIPA offices, the Assistant Director is responsible for the following:
Marketing and Outreach, Student Recruitment and Admissions
- In collaboration with SIPA’s communications office, creates and implements communications and processes to recruit outstanding students, including digital marketing, social media, and email
- Promotes the program to external organizations, particularly those that fund graduate degrees for employees
- In collaboration with SIPA admissions office, manages all aspects of admissions, including communications with applicants, provision of in-person and virtual recruitment events, support for SLATE (SIPA’s online application system), coordination of faculty review of applications, and follow-up with admitted students about housing, visas, financial aid, and other issues
- Oversees and regularly updates the program’s web pages
Student Academic Advising and Support
- In collaboration with the SIPA student affairs office, provides academic advising and other support for students, including new student orientation (on both academic and student life issues)
- Supports student-initiated activities, such as panels and lectures
- Assists students with University resources, such as the course registration system and health services
Curricular and Co-curricular Programming
- In collaboration with the SIPA academic affairs office, assists the Director with development and implementation of the Summer Program, seminars and workshops, including recruitment and orientation of adjunct faculty and guest speakers and posting of materials in University’s course management systems
- In collaboration with student affairs and academic affairs, tracks and analyzes data helpful in developing and refining the curriculum, including enrollment statistics, student surveys and alumni feedback
- Working with student employees, supports faculty with resources for teaching
Financial and Program Administration
- Manages the program budget and serves as liaison with the SIPA business office, including oversight of spending and financial aid, reconciliation of financial transactions and provision of budget updates to the MPA-GL Director
- Working with student employees, provides financial and administrative assistance to MPA-GL Director, adjunct faculty and guest speakers
- Acts as liaison with outside vendors
- Supervises one student program assistant and other part-time casual employees as needed
Alumni Relations
- In collaboration with the SIPA alumni office, builds the program’s alumni engagement program, including maintenance of current employment and contact information for alumni and organization of alumni-student-faculty events
Performs related tasks as assigned or requested.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience
- At least three years of related experience, including experience in educational program management or comparable activities
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
- Experience in academic course development, event planning or comparable activities
- Proficiency with office computer programs and apps, including spreadsheets, word processing and document sharing
- Demonstrated proficiency in multitasking and working under multiple simultaneous deadlines
- Strong customer service orientation with a deep commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Graduate degree in relevant field
- Additional years of related experience highly preferred
- Experience with mid-career or advanced career education programs
- Experience conducting outreach or cultivating external relations
- Familiarity with digital marketing and website content development
- Education or professional background in a global policy area
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.