Academic Appointments Manager

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $75,000 - $85,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Academic Administration and Finance, the Academic Appointments Manager independently administers the department's academic appointment processes and serves as a key resource to faculty and administrators on appointment-related policies and procedures. The incumbent manages a high volume of academic personnel activities, ensures compliance with University and departmental requirements, and serves as the primary liaison between the department and central administrative offices. Through specialized knowledge and independent judgment, the Academic Appointments Manager supports the effective administration of appointments for faculty, researchers, and other academic personnel, while contributing to operational efficiency and process improvement within the department.

The Department of Statistics at Columbia University is an intellectually vibrant and interdisciplinary hub, committed to pioneering research, rigorous training, and broad impact across theory, methodology, and application. The department hosts world-class faculty and students working in probability, statistical theory, computational methods, data science, and interdisciplinary domains, supported by a range of centers, including the Applied Statistics Center and the Center for Applied Probability. The programs, spanning undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels, are designed for flexibility, rigor, and real-world relevance, equipping graduates to pursue careers in academia, industry, and beyond.

This position follows a hybrid weekly schedule, with an expectation of at least three days a week on-site. During periods of peak activity or operational need, additional on-site presence may be required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the department's subject-matter expert on academic appointment and hiring processes, providing guidance and consultation to faculty and staff on University, A&S, and the Provost's Office policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Independently manage a high volume of academic appointments, including faculty, research personnel, postdoctoral researchers, and student officers, from initiation through completion. Review appointment actions, interpret policies, identify and resolve issues, and coordinate complex or exceptional cases to ensure compliance with University requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain departmental hiring resources, procedures, tracking systems, and workflow tools to support operational efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the department and central administrative offices, including A&S HR, Academic Appointments, Faculty Affairs, and other University partners, facilitating appointment, hiring, and employment-related processes.
• Oversee comprehensive onboarding activities for faculty, researchers, and other academic personnel, including coordinating systems and building access, communicating onboarding requirements and deadlines, arranging workspace assignments, and ensuring a seamless onboarding experience.
• Coordinate and facilitate visa sponsorship requests, renewals, and related immigration processes in partnership with the University's International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO).
• Manage the Course Assistant hiring program (e.g., TAs, Readers, TA III) from end-to-end, including appointment processing, onboarding, DocuSign coordination, PAC transactions, and communications with students and faculty.
• Maintain accurate personnel records and appointment data within Columbia's HRIS System (PAC) and departmental systems; monitor transactions, approvals, and deadlines to ensure timely processing and compliance.
• Partner with the Director of Academic Administration and Finance to identify process improvements, address complex personnel matters, and support departmental academic administration initiatives.
• Participate in special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent related experience required.
• 2-4 years of related experience.
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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education.
• Working knowledge of Columbia University’s HR or Academic Appointments processes, policies, and systems (e.g., PAC).

Other Requirements

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be organized, detail-oriented, and task-oriented with the ability to establish priorities and follow up on multiple issues in a time-sensitive manner.
• The ability to work well under pressure with tight deadlines and shifting priorities is essential.
• Must be able to handle confidential information, with good judgment and discretion required.
• A record of initiative in solving problems and devising creative solutions.
• Strong knowledge of MS Office and Google Suite.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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