CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $100,000 - $125,000

Position Summary

Reporting to  the Chief Operating Officer at the Data Science Institute, the Associate Director Human Resources and Operations will be a strategic partner to Institute leadership and will provide comprehensive oversight and manage the human resource operations for all of the administrative staff at the Institute. Along with the Chief Operating Officer, the Associate Director is the point of contact for all employee relations matters, and must be committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and superior employee experience. This detailed role includes assisting hiring managers with full lifecycle recruitment, assessing staffing needs to propose suitable talent acquisition strategies and adapting best practices to suit DSI’s evolving needs while maintaining compliance with university policies and state and federal laws.

This role requires a high level of customer service, client relations and clear communications to establish a strong rapport amongst the administrative team, select University Faculty and University partners.

Responsibilities

Human Resources

• Employee Life-Cycle Management
  
  • Oversee the procedures for recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and offboarding staff across all administrative employee classifications to include students. Collaborate with the COO and hiring managers to craft job descriptions, assess compensation structures, execute recruitment strategies, uphold EOAA regulations, conduct candidate searches, and finalize selections.
  • Develop and continually enhance a fully-supported on-boarding experience for new employees to ensure successful assimilation into positions and to the University.
• Strategic Human Resources
  
  • Evaluate existing HR operations, identify areas for improvement, and establish standardized procedures that enhance efficiency, consistency and the employee experience. Spearhead the creation and enhancement  of the Institute’s HR operations, adapting best practices to support the Institute’s evolving needs while maintaining compliance with University policies, state and federal laws. 
  • Research and recommend initiatives to support employee engagement, succession planning, and retention efforts.
  • Works closely with the Chief Operating Officer to meet strategic human resource goals for the Institute, including the development and implementation of special projects - creating meaningful performance review processes, team retreats, skills and culture building projects and efforts.
  • Stay up-to-date on the latest policies and procedures as communicated by CUHR. Act as the lead liaison between the Institute and the Central Human Resources.
• Performance Management
  • Manage bi-annual performance evaluation process for administrative employees. Provide a model for effective performance management, including coaching, positive employee relations, and appropriate strategies for handling disciplinary issues. Counsel managers on employee relations and personnel matters in partnership with the COO.
• HR Transactions Management
  • Initiate and process template-based hires in Peoplesoft ensuring accurate collection and processing of information in PAC.
  • Partner with DSI Finance on position management and compensation. Works with the Institute Director and the Chief Operating OfficerOfficerr during fiscal year end overseeing eComp including responsibility  for processing add comps within University systems (PAC), manage back up and PAC approval processes. Ensures best practices in areas of HR financial PAC security approvals and processes.
  • Standardize and maintain confidential personnel and payroll records, including time and attendance information and other information in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.  
  • Enhance, organize and maintain accurate employee records, including organizational charts, job descriptions, to ensure data accuracy.
• Employee Relations
  • Provide frontline HR Guidance and counseling related to university policies and procedures, benefits, and personal matters.
  • Provide information to employees and Institute leadership as needed, including changes in employment status, benefits-related information, and other pertinent communications.
  • Handle leaves of absence by working with Columbia University Leave Management and Central Human Resources to ensure all relevant documentation is completed, monitoring Family Medical Leave hours, and tracking and processing return-to-work dates;

Operations 

• Supervise the Operations Coordinator to ensure the smooth functioning of the Institute related to management of the Institute’s three physical locations, including but not limited to: open collaborative work space, research facilities, individual and shared offices as well as conference room facilities for faculty, staff, researchers, trainees and students; management of the IT and Facilities ticketing systems; 
• Provide oversight and logistics for the assignment of space, and maintenance requests, in collaboration with the Institute’s Directorate, Faculty Space Committee, and other affiliated University partners when necessary. 
• Serve as back up for the Associate Director for Academic and Research Operations during leaves and time away.
• Perform other related duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; at least 5 years related experience with a solid background in relationship management, strong operations and financial acumen.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with project management and technology fluency strongly desired.
• Must have a growth mindset and be able to work in a fast- paced environment with the ability to follow up with details, deadlines and competing demands, using EQ to prioritize and communicate.
• Must have strong communications skills as well as the ability to collaborate with key stakeholders.
• Experience working in Human Resources and / or an academic environment desired.
• Must maintain superior levels of integrity and confidentiality. 

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.