Program Manager-Student Affairs

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: 80,000-85,000

Position Summary

Responsibilities

Student Government and Student Group Support:

• Independently manages the day-to-day operations of the Climate School's student government and student organizations in accordance with Columbia University policies and procedures.
• Develops, implements, and maintains standard operating procedures, guidance materials, and external-facing resources that promote consistent administration of student organizations.
• Serves as the primary administrative resource for student groups, independently resolving routine operational issues and advising student leaders on University policies, procedures, and funding requirements.
• Facilitates regular meetings between student organizations and Climate School leadership, tracks action items, and ensures timely completion of follow-up activities.
• Monitors student organization budgets, processes payments and reimbursements, reconciles expenditures, and identifies discrepancies or issues requiring resolution.

Student Funding Programs:

• Manages the day-to-day administration of the Climate School's student funding programs, including Internship, Research Assistantship, Travel Grant, Course Support, Collaborative Research Grant, and Summer Research Experience Program.
• Independently coordinates the full project selection process, including application cycles, proposal review logistics, communications, award notifications, and documentation.
• Interprets program guidelines and advises students and faculty on eligibility requirements, funding processes, and applicable University policies.
• Coordinates student hiring and appointment processes, monitors progress to ensure timely completion of hiring and payment activities, and works with University offices to resolve routine administrative issues.
• Evaluates program workflows, identifies opportunities to improve administrative processes, and recommends operational enhancements to improve efficiency and service delivery.

Event Management for Professional Development, Experiential Learning, and Alumni Programs:

• Manages the planning and operational execution of professional development programming, including career workshops, networking events, alumni engagement activities, and skills seminars.
• Coordinates experiential learning processes, including capstone project administration, practicum approvals, and student mentoring initiatives, ensuring compliance with established program requirements and deadlines.
• Collaborates with faculty, staff, alumni, and external partners to coordinate programming, resolve operational issues, and ensure successful program delivery.

Disability Services:

• Coordinates the implementation of academic accommodations recommended by the Office of Disability Services in collaboration with faculty, students, and University partners.
• Interprets accommodation requirements and independently coordinates implementation, including course materials, note-taking support, testing accommodations, proctor scheduling, and room assignments.
• Monitors accommodation requests throughout the semester to ensure timely service delivery and compliance with University policies, escalating complex or sensitive matters when appropriate.

Other Duties:

• Exercises independent judgment in prioritizing multiple program responsibilities, resolving operational issues, and ensuring timely completion of program activities within established policies and procedures.
• Develops and maintains program records, tracking systems, and operational documentation to support accurate reporting, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Performs other duties as needed for a collaborative Student Affairs team

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree and/or its equivalent is required, with at least two to four years of work experience in either higher education administration, program management, communications, or related roles.
• User-level proficiency with Microsoft Office (especially Excel) or Google Workspace, with the ability to effectively use spreadsheets (Excel or Google Sheets) to organize information, track data, and support collaborative workflows.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, work collaboratively across teams, and exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in a complex academic environment. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree is strongly preferred. Candidates with an interest in and/or experience related to climate, sustainability, and/or environment preferred.
• Understanding of generative AI tools and how to apply them in professional settings is a bonus.  

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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